West Ham United women’s team v Crystal Palace
Barclays Women's Super League, Chigwell Construction Stadium, Sunday 8 December 2024, 2.30pm GMT
After a three-week break filled with Women’s League Cup and international fixtures, West Ham United women’s team return to Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) action with a crunch clash at home to Crystal Palace.
The newly-promoted Eagles sit bottom of the standings but level on points with the Hammers, meaning both sides will be gunning for a victory at Chigwell Construction Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams head into the encounter buoyed by victories in the Women’s League Cup two weeks ago, which saw Rehanne Skinner’s side put four past London City Lionesses in their first away win in all competitions this term, while the Eagles, enjoying their first-ever season in the WSL, scored two unanswered goals at home to Charlton Athletic.
The Irons put in a resilient and hard-working display in a narrow defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion last time out in the WSL, but are looking to chalk up back-to-back victories at Chigwell Construction Stadium following a crucial 1-0 success at home to Leicester City last month.
Ahead of the Hammers’ final home league fixture prior to the Christmas break, here is everything you need to know about the visit of Crystal Palace…
Tickets...
Children can enjoy the Hammers’ clash with the Eagles for just £1, while Adult’s tickets are priced at £10, which can be purchased HERE!
Tickets can also be purchased from the Ticket Office (subject to availability) located at Chigwell Construction Stadium up until kick-off on Sunday. The Ticket Office will be open from 12.30pm.
How To Follow…
This weekend's fixture will be broadcast on BBC iPlayer, as well as the Red Button and BBC Sport website.
Alternatively, you can also follow the action across our social media channels, as well as the live blog on our website and app, while highlights and exclusive reaction will follow after the final whistle on whufc.com.
Travel…
The most convenient way to reach Chigwell Construction Stadium is by public transport.
Dagenham East station on the London Underground's District line is situated about 500 metres from the ground. On exiting the station, turn left, and the ground is in Victoria Road, which is the fifth turning on the left-hand side after about 400 metres. You will see the stadium at the end of the cul-de-sac.
For those travelling by bus, fans can take the 103 from either Romford railway station, which is served by Greater Anglia, TfL's Elizabeth line, and London Overground, or Rainham station, which is served by c2c rail services. The 103 has stops on both sides of Rainham Road South, just north of Victoria Road.
Supporters using public transport are advised to check their journeys before they travel, using resources such as TfL’s Journey Planner and the TfL Go app. Supporters may also wish to visit the National Rail website if travelling on the rail network.
No parking is available at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Street parking in the local area is available, but motorists should take note of restrictions.
Opposition…
Crystal Palace head coach Laura Kaminski could not have wished for a better first season in charge of the Eagles, as they secured promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League last term with 14 wins and just four defeats from their 22 matches.
This was not the first time Kaminski had celebrated promotion in her coaching career, as she helped Tottenham Hotspur to the WSL during her three-year spell as an assistant head coach in north London.
Prior to joining the VBS Community Stadium outfit, Kaminski enjoyed five years at the Football Association, plying her trade as an FA Elite Coach of the Women’s U19 side, as well as coaching roles at Arsenal, Brighton, Watford, QPR and Chelsea.
Promotion to the WSL meant Kaminski was always going to add new faces to her squad to cope with the tests that England’s top flight poses, and nine players made the move to south London in the summer.
The Eagles negotiated loan deals with fellow WSL outfits Chelsea and Manchester City to bring in Jorja Fox and Poppy Pritchard respectively for the 2024/25 campaign. Experienced Denmark international Katrine Veje, who boasts more than 100 caps for her country, made the switch from divisional rivals Everton, while Ashleigh Weerden and Indiah-Paige Riley both joined from sides in the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, eight players departed Palace in the summer, including duo Shauna Guyatt and Natalia Negri, who both joined Ipswich Town on free transfers, as Annabel Johnson announced her retirement after a five-year stint at the Eagles.
Previous Meetings...
The contest at Chigwell Construction Stadium will mark the first time the two sides have faced off in the WSL, but the teams have met before in cup competitions.
West Ham stormed to a 7-0 victory the last time they went to battle, in December 2019 - in which Kenza Dali, pictured above, and Kate Longhurst both netted braces.
