Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace | Match Preview | WSL Week 14
In this in-depth preview, we break down the key stats, tactical trends, and data-driven insights to reveal how Manchester United and Crystal Palace match up in this week's WSL showdown.
📅 Date: Sunday, 16 February 2025
⏰ Kick-off: 12:00 PM (UK)
📍 Venue: Leigh Sports Village
🔍 Match Context & Overview
It’s a “David vs. Goliath” clash as second-placed Manchester United host bottom-of-the-league Crystal Palace. United are on a five-game winning run, showcasing the best defensive record in the division, while Palace search desperately for points, having not won in their last five matches.
📊 Current Form
Manchester United
League Position: 2nd
Points: 30 (from 13 matches)
Last 5 WSL Matches: 5W–0D–0L (⚽ 13 goals scored, 🛑 2 conceded)
Home Record: 4W–2D–0L (⚽ 14 scored, 🛑 1 conceded)
Defensive Record: Only 5 goals conceded all season (best in the WSL)
Key Trend: Conceding just 0.38 goals per match, highlighting their tactical solidity and disciplined press.
Crystal Palace
League Position: 12th (bottom)
Points: 6 (from 13 matches)
Last 5 WSL Matches: 0W–1D–4L
Away Record: 1W–2D–4L (⚽ 8 scored, ❌ 19 conceded)
Defensive Record: 35 goals conceded; the worst in the WSL
Key Trend: Palace’s -24 goal difference exemplifies their struggles at both ends of the pitch.
🏆 Head-to-Head Record
📅 15 December 2024 – Crystal Palace 0–1 Manchester United
xG: Palace 0.2 vs. United 2.1
Key Takeaway: United’s dominance in expected goals wasn’t reflected in the narrow final score; Palace offered minimal threat offensively.
🌟 Key Players to Watch
Manchester United
Elisabeth Terland (Forward)
Goals: 5 | Assists: 4
Last 5 Matches: 6 goal involvements
Why She Matters:
Terland has emerged as United’s most consistent attacking threat, leading the team in both goals and assists. A high-volume shooter, she is central to their offensive structure and will be a major concern for Palace’s defense.
Ella Toone (Midfielder)
Goals: 4 | Expected Goals (xG): 2.2
Last 3 WSL Matches: 4 goals
Why She Matters:
Toone is thriving in a more advanced midfield role, arriving late in the box to convert chances. Her ability to link play and find space in dangerous areas makes her a key player in breaking down opposition defenses.
Leah Galton (Forward)
Goals: 3 | Assists: 1
Conversion Rate: 75% of shots on target
Why She Matters:
Galton’s efficiency in front of goal makes her a clinical finisher who doesn’t need many chances to punish defensive mistakes. Her off-the-ball movement and ability to exploit spaces on the wing add another dimension to United’s attack.
Crystal Palace
Annabel Blanchard (Forward)
3 Goals | 1 Assists | 3.1 xG
Why She Matters:
As Palace’s top scorer, Blanchard is their biggest goal threat. While she has the ability to finish well, her effectiveness has been limited by a lack of quality service. If Palace can provide better deliveries, she could make a significant impact.
Katie Stengel (Midfielder/Forward)
2 Goals | 2 Assists | 2.7 xG
Why She Matters:
Stengel has been crucial in Palace’s attacking transitions, capable of carrying the ball forward and creating opportunities. Though her shot conversion rate isn’t high, her ability to test goalkeepers from distance makes her a threat that United must close down quickly.
Indiah-Paige Riley (Winger)
2 Goals | 2 Assists | 2 goals in last 5 WSL matches
Why She Matters:
Riley’s pace on the counter-attack makes her a key outlet for Palace. If United commit too many players forward, she has the ability to exploit spaces behind their defensive line and create goal-scoring opportunities.
📈 Statistical Comparison
Possession %
Manchester United: 47.0%
Crystal Palace: 40.5%
Passing Accuracy %
Manchester United: 74.2%
Crystal Palace: 72.2%
Expected Goals (xG)
Manchester United: 19.7
Crystal Palace: 11.9
Goals Scored per Match
Manchester United: 1.85
Crystal Palace: 0.85
Goals Conceded per Match
Manchester United: 0.38
Crystal Palace: 2.69
Shots on Target per Match
Manchester United: 4.31
Crystal Palace: 2.77
Key Insights:
✅ United’s superior xG and consistent goal-scoring highlight their attacking dominance.
✅ Palace concedes nearly 3 goals per match, a major concern against a United side averaging nearly 2 goals per game.
✅ Palace must stay compact defensively and capitalise on counter-attacks to stand a chance.
📊 Tactical Breakdown
Manchester United
Likely Formation: 4–3–3
Playing Style:
Moderate-to-high possession (~47%) but can go direct quickly.
Aggressive, high press to win back possession.
Rapid transitions and efficient ball recycling.
Key Strengths:
🛑 Rock-Solid Defense: Only 5 goals conceded in 13 matches.
⚽ Shared Offensive Load: Multiple consistent scorers.
Crystal Palace
Likely Formation: 5–4–1
Playing Style:
Low-block defense, ceding possession (~40.5%).
Heavy reliance on counterattacks and set pieces.
Compresses space in their defensive third to frustrate opponents.
🔮 Prediction: Manchester United 3–0 Crystal Palace
Why?
United’s Defensive Solidity
Conceding just 0.38 goals per match—best in the WSL.
Palace, with just 0.85 goals per match, face a major challenge breaking through.
Palace’s Defensive Struggles
Conceding 2.69 goals per match—the worst in the league.
Likely to sit deep in a low block but will struggle against United’s attacking depth.
Head-to-Head & Form
United edged the last meeting 1–0 but had an xG of 2.1 vs. Palace’s 0.2, showing a clear gap in quality.
United are on a five-match winning streak, while Palace have not won in their last five.
📢 Final Thoughts
Crystal Palace will need a near-perfect defensive display to keep this one close, but with Manchester United's form and defensive organisation, it’s difficult to see anything other than a routine win for the home side. If United score early, the floodgates could open, but even if Palace frustrate them initially, their lack of goal threat makes an upset highly unlikely.
How do you see this game playing out? Can Palace defy expectations, or will United extend their winning run? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
Stay tuned for more WSL coverage!