Three to watch | Crystal Palace Women
For the 2026/27 Women’s Super League season, we’ll select three players from our opponents to look out for.
Next up, we’re back on the road as we make the short trip across the capital to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday – a newly-promoted side who have picked up four points from the opening two games, including a resolute display to hold Arsenal to a goalless draw…
Molly Bartrip
Having spent five seasons at Spurs and making over 100 appearances in a Lilywhite shirt, we know what to expect from Bartrip when we reunite with her this weekend. Racking up over 150 WSL appearances, the centre-back has brought extensive experience to Palace’s backline in their return to England’s top flight and played a crucial role in helping her side pick up an impressive point against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, with the newly promoted side unbeaten in their opening two games.
Lexi Lloyd-Smith
A summer arrival from Bristol City, Lloyd-Smith has introduced herself on the WSL stage in perfect style. Making her debut against Everton on the opening weekend, the England youth international bagged the winning goal to earn Palace a 1-0 victory over Everton. Last term was the 23-year-old breakthrough season with the Robins, scoring 11 league goals in 21 games to claim the WSL2 Golden Boot award and earned a place in the competitions Team of the Year. Her outstanding performances also earned her a maiden call to England Under-23s squad in 2025 and scored her first goal at international level against France in March, 2026.
Annabel Blanchard
Since joining Palace in 2022, Blanchard has become an integral part in their growth in the last few seasons, playing a key part in their promotions to the WSL in 2024 and 2026. Featuring in the club’s first-ever season in WSL, she became their inaugural WSL goalscorer with a brace against Leicester City in October, 2024. She was then crucial to their promotion to England’s top flight last term, playing in every game and scoring six goals and assisting three. A two-footed forward capable of playing across the front line, the 25-year-old has been more regularly utilised as a number 10 in the opening games of the current campaign, slotting in behind former Spurs captain Bethany England.