Women’s Super League 2026-27 preview No 7: Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace return to the Women’s Super League after a dramatic promotion campaign under Jo Potter, aiming to avoid an immediate relegation. Their prior top-flight experience, strengthened squad and home form will be central to their survival prospects, although a difficult opening run offers an early test.
Palace won 12 of their final 14 second-tier matches to secure promotion ahead of Charlton, and have signed Bethany England, goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and defender Molly Bartrip. England, 32, has scored 87 WSL goals and brings extensive experience, while My Cato has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury; the writers’ average prediction places Palace 13th.
- Palace return to the WSL after late promotion surge.
- Bethany England’s goals are key to survival hopes.
- Injury and difficult opening fixtures present early challenges.
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Crystal Palace’s women’s team play in the Women’s Super League (WSL), the top division of English women’s football. They earned promotion by finishing ahead of Charlton in the second tier, after winning 12 of their final 14 matches.
Jo Potter manages Palace. The club has strengthened its squad with players including Bethany England, a forward with extensive WSL experience, and goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. Palace’s challenge is to adapt to the top division, where teams face stronger opposition across the season.
Newly promoted clubs often find staying up difficult, so Palace’s results at home and during a demanding opening run could shape their season. My Cato’s knee injury is also a setback for the squad.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Palace have a credible route to survival: their strong finish to the promotion campaign suggests momentum, while Bethany England, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and Molly Bartrip add top-flight experience and quality. A settled home following and Jo Potter’s leadership could help the squad adapt and collect points, making a mid-table finish plausible if the new signings integrate well.
The case against
Promotion form does not guarantee success against the WSL’s stronger opposition, and Palace face a difficult opening run that could leave them under pressure early. Even with experienced additions, a newly promoted squad may lack the depth and consistency required over a full top-flight season; My Cato’s injury is another setback, and the writers’ 13th-place prediction reflects the risk of immediate relegation.