---
title: "Crystal Palace Women vs Portsmouth Preview: Final Hurdle in Promotion Battle"
canonical: "https://readcrystalpalace.com/2026/05/01/crystal-palace-vs-portsmouth-preview-final-hurdle-in-promotion-battle-football-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Grace Holloway"
section: "Crystal Palace News"
published: "2026-05-01T11:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-05-01T11:04:46Z"
---

# Crystal Palace Women vs Portsmouth Preview: Final Hurdle in Promotion Battle

- Crystal Palace will face Portsmouth in WSL2
- Jo Potter’s side look for promotion
- The final match day of the WSL2 season

**Crystal Palace will face Portsmouth on the final day of the WSL2 season at VBS Stadium on Saturday 2 May. Promotion is within touching distance for the Eagles as they host an already relegated side, Portsmouth.**

Palace are hoping for a performance that could see them make a swift return to the WSL, following their one-season debut in 2024/25.

All WSL2 matches will kick off at 3 pm BST tomorrow and will be available to watch on the WSL YouTube channel. Tickets are still available to purchase via CPFC.

## Crystal Palace vs Portsmouth – Prediction

Crystal Palace head into the match on incredible form, following a 2-1 victory over Sunderland last weekend which left them with seven wins in their last nine league matches.

Jo Potter’s side has turned it around, with a difficult start to the season seeing them sit 11th in October. The English manager told [CPFC](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/women/potter-its-crazy-to-see-where-we-have-come-from/):

*“It’s crazy to think that a few months ago where we were sat and where we are now.”*

The opponents, Portsmouth, have nothing to play for, having already been relegated from the WSL2.

The two sides last met in November at Westleigh Park, with Palace suffering a 2-1 defeat.

With the crowd behind them and promotion so close for Potter’s side, the Eagles should come out on top.

**Prediction:** 3-1 Crystal Palace

## WSL Promotion Within Touching Distance

The top of the WSL2 table is going right down to the wire, with the two promotion spots and one play-off spot all to be determined on Saturday’s match day.

There are a few circumstances that could allow the Eagles to make a WSL return:

If Palace win against Portsmouth, they will guarantee automatic promotion and at least second-place, since Charlton and Birmingham face each other.

[5 wins in a row 🔥 | Women's Highlights | Palace 4-0 Durham (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/9V5KLskPq9U?feature=oembed)

If Palace are to draw against Portsmouth, they can still finish second if the Charlton v Birmingham game does not finish in a draw.

To finish as champions, for the second time in the club’s history, Palace would need to win and hope the Charlton v Birmingham game ends in a draw.

However, if Palace are to remain in third place, this earns them a spot in the new WSL relegation play-off, where they would face 12th-placed Leicester City to earn the final spot for the expanded WSL.