The Women’s Super League returns after the international break with a complete set of intriguing fixtures across Saturday and Sunday. Several teams enter the weekend carrying disrupted preparations, fitness concerns, and shifting momentum, while others arrive with renewed belief after strong results in recent weeks. With the table beginning to take shape heading into winter, every point now carries growing weight, and each match offers its own subplot.
Arsenal v Liverpool
Saturday 6 December, Emirates Stadium
Arsenal welcome Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime in a meeting between a home side striving for rhythm and an away side showing flickers of revival after a difficult start. Liverpool enters the weekend with only two league points from their opening eight matches, a stretch that began with a 4-1 defeat to Everton at Anfield and continued with a 1-0 loss at Leicester against ten players. Their league struggles persisted through defeats to Manchester United, London City, Manchester City and Tottenham. However, the League Cup offered respite with victories over Sunderland, Durham and, most recently, a convincing 4-1 win at Sheffield United.
The mood has shifted slightly in recent weeks, with Liverpool claiming impressive draws against Chelsea and Brighton. Gareth Taylor spoke with determination about his side, saying that “there was always belief there” and that although the outside view may not show it, “internally, the players are really onboard with what we are trying to do.” He added that with forward Beata Olsson in form, “when you have got a striker like Beata Olsson scoring goals, that is always going to give you a chance of being successful.”
Taylor also spoke about the challenge Arsenal present, praising their depth and quality. He said that Arsenal “are a team that are blessed with a lot of talent” and that the fixture is one “to be really excited about.” He acknowledged that the pressure rests primarily on Arsenal, stating, “The pressure is all on Arsenal, not on us.”
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers expects Liverpool to arrive with structure and defensive intensity. She said that Liverpool “put even the top teams under pressure” and highlighted how Chelsea struggled to progress the ball against them. She warned that Arsenal “will have to manage those moments well” when Liverpool drops into shape and attempts to counter.
Arsenal receive a boost with both Kim Little and Leah Williamson returning to the squad. Leah Williamson will be managed carefully after her long absence. Chloe Kelly is unavailable due to a minor knee injury picked up on England duty. Daphne van Domselaar also misses out with a quad problem.
Liverpool is assessing multiple fitness issues. Captain Grace Fisk has a calf injury sustained on England duty and will not feature. Taylor also revealed that Sam Kerr has been diagnosed with a slight stress fracture in her back and must rest. There are additional niggles within the squad that will be evaluated up to the final training session.
Both teams enter with contrasting pressures. Arsenal aims to reestablish fluency, while Liverpool looks to extend its unbeaten run and climb away from the bottom of the table. Liverpool’s defensive organisation and recent resilience suggest this may be tighter than the table implies.
London City Lionesses v Brighton
Sunday 7 December
London City Lionesses and Brighton meet in a fixture between two sides still working to convert performances into sustained results. Brighton arrives following two encouraging league draws, including a point against Liverpool, and continues to develop under new coaching ideas. London City are seeking consistency and sharper execution in both penalty areas.
Brighton possesses the league’s leading ball-carrier per ninety minutes in Rosa Kafaji, although her involvement is limited due to her loan status. They are also benefiting from energetic wide play and growing confidence defensively. London City will look to impose intensity early and disrupt Brighton’s build-up. Both teams consider this a key match in the battle for mid-table stability.
Leicester City v Manchester City
Sunday 7 December
Manchester City travel to Leicester in strong domestic form, unbeaten in their last eight WSL matches. Andrée Jeglertz confirmed significant boosts for City with both Kerolin and Lily Murphy returning to complete training. He said that both players “have trained fully this week” and are available for selection. He added that their return “gives us more options” and that greater depth raises training levels and the competitive tempo. Alex Greenwood is progressing but will not feature.
Jeglertz praised the value of having more players available, noting that it brings “only positive things.” City head into the weekend encouraged by a recent 3- 0 Manchester derby victory and a confident League Cup win over Nottingham Forest.
Leicester manager Rick Passmoor continues to rebuild the Foxes after a difficult start to the campaign. Leicester remain winless in seven league matches and are working to sharpen their attacking play. Shannon O’Brien has been a bright spark, scoring a stoppage-time equaliser against West Ham, and Sam Tierney remains a dependable presence in both defence and midfield. Captain Janice Cayman is easing back after an injury and is providing invaluable leadership.
The previous meeting between these teams last season ended with a single goal from Jess Park. With City building momentum and Leicester searching for a breakthrough, the contest may hinge on how well Leicester can restrict City’s fluid attacking combinations.
Manchester United v West Ham United
Sunday 7 December
Manchester United aim to reset after defeats to Manchester City and Wolfsburg before the break. Despite the recent slide, United sit third and remain one of the league’s most balanced sides. They welcome West Ham to Leigh Sports Village in a match where both sides arrive with contrasting emotions.
West Ham claimed their first league win of the season in a 3- 1 victory over Everton. Amber Tysiak, Anouk Denton and Shekiera Martinez all scored and returned from international duty with confidence. United’s form has dipped, but they have already demonstrated high-level performances this season, including a Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain.
Marc Skinner confirmed that goalkeeper Phallon Tullis Joyce is available again after fracturing her eye socket. Millie Turner has returned to training, although the match comes too soon for her. Skinner also congratulated Celin Bizet Donnum on the news that she is expecting her first child.
Skinner will demand a response from his squad after back-to-back defeats. West Ham will attempt to carry belief from their Everton performance into a far more challenging fixture. The Hammers have taken points off United before and will aim to unsettle the hosts with early intensity.
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
Sunday 7 December
Tottenham continue their push for a top-half finish and face an Aston Villa side in excellent away form. Villa have claimed significant results at Arsenal and Manchester United. Spurs head coach Robert Vilahamn spoke about Villa’s quality, saying that they “have a delicious side” and that his team must be “at our best.” He praised Villa’s dynamic wide players, creative midfielders and robust defence. He added that Spurs “have to be patient” and must be ruthless with the chances they are given, while Villa’s disciplined defensive record.
Villa travel with confidence after improved recent performances. Their front line has been a persistent threat, and their counterattacking structure remains one of the most effective in the league. Spurs will look to impose controlled possession while managing Villa’s pace in transition.
Chelsea v Everton
Sunday 7 December, Kingsmeadow
Chelsea return to Kingsmeadow in pursuit of extending their historic unbeaten league run. Sonia Bompastor’s side sits second, three points behind Manchester City, and remains undefeated in WSL competition under her guidance.
However, Chelsea enters with multiple fitness concerns. Erin Cuthbert is ruled out after suffering a head injury for Scotland and is following concussion protocols. Bompastor said that Cuthbert “is in a good place” but requires several days to recover. Wieke Kaptein felt back pain during international duty and did not train before the weekend. Bompastor said that she “is a question mark” for the match.
Chelsea’s dominance under Bompastor continues, yet the head coach insists she does not mention the unbeaten record in her preparations. She said that “we started from zero” this season and that she always plans “to win the games” regardless of context. She expects Everton to challenge her team, adding that Everton “are creating more and more opportunities and scoring more and more goals” despite their league position.
Everton sit tenth and remain without a win in their last six matches. They continue to show improvement in chance creation and have been competitive in several recent fixtures, including pushing Manchester City close in a narrow 2-1 defeat.
Chelsea have won 15 of their last 16 WSL meetings with Everton, yet this Everton side has shown enough resilience to test opponents when given space. Chelsea will look to control the match early and maintain their upward trajectory as the winter approaches.
Add comment
Comments