Preview: Crystal Palace Women vs Arsenal | Key Stats & Predictions | WSL Week 18

We look ahead to Sunday's WSL clash at VBS Community Stadium with our Crystal Palace vs Arsenal prediction and preview. Can Palace overcome the odds against Renée Slegers' in-form title challengers?

📅 Date: Sunday, 30th March 2025
⏰ Kick-off: 14:00 GMT
📍 Venue: VBS Community Stadium
📺 How to Watch: BarclaysWSL YouTube channel

🔍 Match Context & Overview

Crystal Palace host Arsenal at VBS Community Stadium with both teams experiencing contrasting fortunes. The Eagles sit bottom of the WSL table and are desperate for points in their relegation battle, while Arsenal arrive in red-hot form as they continue their pursuit of league leaders Chelsea.

Palace currently occupy 12th place—30 points behind Arsenal—and come into this fixture having won just once in their last six matches. Their defensive struggles have been evident all season, with 43 goals conceded in 17 matches, giving them the league's worst defensive record.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are flying high after five consecutive WSL victories, including a commanding 4-0 win over Liverpool last weekend. The Gunners are also riding the momentum of a remarkable Champions League comeback, overturning a two-goal deficit against Real Madrid to secure a semifinal spot in midweek. They remain in 2nd place in the WSL, pushing Chelsea all the way in the title race with just 8 points separating the two sides.

🔴 Arsenal's Title Push

Currently second in the WSL, Arsenal's away form has been exceptional with six wins from eight matches. Their attacking prowess is evident in their goal tally, with 45 scored in 17 matches (2.65 per game), outperforming their expected goals (xG) of 36.7.

Renée Slegers' side will be looking to maintain their momentum as they chase down Chelsea at the top of the table. Their recent domestic form has been impeccable, with five consecutive WSL victories yielding 20 goals.

Defensively, Arsenal have been equally impressive on the road, conceding just 6 goals in 8 matches. Their disciplined backline has contributed to 10 clean sheets from 17 matches this season, making them one of the toughest teams to break down in the league.

🦅 Crystal Palace's Survival Fight

The struggles under Palace's management have been evident all season. With just two wins from 17 matches, including a single victory in eight home games, the Eagles find themselves in serious relegation trouble. However, their recent 1-0 win against Aston Villa showed they can still produce results when it matters.

Palace's defensive vulnerabilities have been their downfall, conceding 43 goals in 17 league games this season (2.53 per game). Their record of just one clean sheet all season (5.9% of matches) highlights the enormous challenge they face against Arsenal's potent attack.

Palace will need to draw confidence from their home advantage, though their record at VBS Community Stadium (W1, D1, L6) suggests this will be their sternest test yet in front of their own fans.

🔥 Key Battle Areas

Arsenal's attack vs Palace's defence will be crucial. The Gunners average 16.82 shots per match with 37.4% on target, while Palace have conceded 43 goals in 17 games. The visitors' clinical finishing (outperforming xG by 8.3 goals) against the hosts' defensive frailties (underperforming xGA by 9.7 goals) presents a significant mismatch.

Palace's best hope may come from set-pieces and counter-attacks, where players like Annabel Blanchard and Katie Stengel (3 goals each) will need to capitalize on limited opportunities against Arsenal's well-organized defense.

Key stats:

• Crystal Palace: 9 points from 17 matches (W2, D3, L12)

• Arsenal: 39 points from 17 matches (W12, D3, L2)

• Crystal Palace home goals: 6 scored, 18 conceded in 8 matches

• Arsenal away goals: 15 scored, 6 conceded in 8 matches

🏆 Head-to-Head

The teams have limited WSL history together with Crystal Palace being relative newcomers to the top flight:

• Most recent meeting: Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace (January 19, 2025)

• Arsenal dominated with 76% possession

• Arsenal generated 3.2 xG to Palace's 0.9 xG

• Mariona Caldentey scored twice for Arsenal in the reverse fixture

The goal statistics from their last meeting are particularly telling:

• Arsenal's 55.56% shot conversion rate (9 shots on target, 5 goals)

• Palace managed just 1 shot on target

• Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey scored twice, including once from the penalty spot

🔎 Players to Watch

Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)

The Spanish forward has been one of the standout WSL player of the season. She has contributed 7 goals and 3 assists this season. Her performance in the reverse fixture (2 goals) demonstrates her threat against Palace's defence.

Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

Arsenal's top scorer with 10 WSL goals this season will be crucial to their attacking plans. Her clinical finishing (10 goals from 7.9 xG) shows her efficiency in front of goal. She will also be eager to add to her tally as she chase down Shaw for the golden boot.

Katie Stengel (Crystal Palace)

The American forward has contributed 3 goals and 3 assists, directly involved in 40% of Palace's goals this season. Her creativity (8 goal-creating actions) makes her Palace's most dangerous attacking threat.

📌 Prediction

Our analysis, based on historical data and recent form, forecasts:

Arsenal win: 78%
Crystal Palace win: 9%
Draw: 13%

Key Factors:

• Arsenal's exceptional away record (6W, 1D, 1L)

• Crystal Palace's poor home form (1W, 1D, 6L)

• The 5-0 result in the reverse fixture

• Arsenal's title aspirations vs Palace's relegation struggles

• The enormous statistical gap between the teams (GD: Palace -28 vs Arsenal +32)

📢 Have Your Say!

Can Crystal Palace cause a huge upset against title-chasing Arsenal? Will the Gunners continue their winning streak? Which players will prove decisive in this crucial WSL clash? Drop your predictions in the comments!