The Barclays Women’s Super League returns this weekend with a complete programme of fixtures as the second half of the season gets underway, with form, fitness and momentum under the spotlight across the division.
Arsenal host Manchester United in north London in one of the standout fixtures of the round, with just one point separating the sides in the WSL table. Matchday begins early, with London’s only all-female 10-piece brass band, She’s Got Brass, playing a range of crowd-favourite chants from 10.30am, ahead of the pre-match show beginning pitchside at 11.30am with Nicole Holliday and Nigel Mitchell.
United arrive fourth in the table, one point behind Arsenal, having last played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur in mid-December. That league fixture came before a 1-0 win away at Juventus in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and a 2-1 victory over Spurs in the quarter-final of the Subway Women’s League Cup. In Europe, Marc Skinner’s side currently sit sixth in the Champions League table, one position below Arsenal due to a lower goal difference, and will face Atletico Madrid in the play-offs for the knockout phase.
Arsenal head coach Slegers expects an intense and changeable contest. “We expect them to come out and be aggressive and apply themselves as they want to,” she said. “Of course we see that they pride themselves on their defensive game, their intensity, their aggression. They've added specific qualities to their squad as well. So we'll see how they start and finish the game tomorrow. We'll have to be prepared for different scenarios, because depending on personnel, they might want to play those players to their strengths.
“That’s the fun part about the WSL. You have to prepare for different scenarios because you don't know exactly how the teams will come out. What we do know is that we have to be on top of everything every single minute. We felt it at the Emirates last year. We did win 4-3, but they came back with goals. They've shown it this season as well. It's from start to finish.”
Skinner also highlighted the acceptable margins that often decide meetings between the sides. “It’s always big moments in these games. It’s always about who can take them,” he said. “Last season, they got an advance on us; we came back into the game, and it ended up being 4-3.
“We’re both coming back from a Christmas break. All teams will be at different stages, but we’ve got to maximise what we can, play our game effectively, but understand they can create magic moments and so can we.”
Leah Williamson is ready to start for Arsenal, though Chloe Kelly remains unavailable. Daphne van Domselaar is close to a return from injury but will not be available for this match, with Anneke Borbe fit to play in goal. Kyra Cooney-Cross has travelled back to Australia to be with her family following the sad news of her mother’s cancer diagnosis. Jenna Nighswonger will not be in the squad as she closes in on a loan move. United will be without Ella Toone, Leah Galton and Gabby George, while new signings Hanna Lundkvist and Lea Schüller could both be in contention. Millie Turner and Jayde Riviere appear to have recovered from injury.
United have lost away to Arsenal in each of the last two WSL campaigns, going down 3-1 in 2023/24 and 4-3 last season. Arsenal are on their longest unbeaten run of the WSL season (P6 W4 D2), could win three league games in a row for the first time in 2025/26, and were the only team to go unbeaten at home in the league in the 2025 calendar year, losing just one of their last 26 home league matches overall.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa host Brighton as both sides look to improve their league form. Villa’s 2025/26 season has produced three wins, four draws and four defeats. They have scored 14 goals across all competitions, with Kirsty Hanson leading the way on five goals and Lynn Wilms providing two assists. Defensively, Villa have conceded 18 goals in 11 matches overall. Brighton have recorded four wins in 11 matches this season, scoring 14 goals across all competitions, with Kiko Seike their top scorer with four goals and Nadine Noordam registering four assists.
Chelsea return to Kingsmeadow to face West Ham United, with Sonia Bompastor’s side sitting six points behind leaders Manchester City. Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by Everton in their most recent league fixture, ending the longest unbeaten run in WSL history at 34 matches. Despite that setback, the Blues closed out 2025 firmly, winning four games in a row across all competitions, including a 9-1 victory over Liverpool in the Subway Women’s League Cup quarter-final. They also progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals, winning four and drawing two of their group-stage fixtures.
West Ham arrive under new management, with former Juventus boss Rita Guarino taking charge for the first time following the departure of Rehanne Skinner in December. “I feel excited,” Guarino said. “For me, it’s an excellent opportunity to coach here in the best league in the world. I’m so excited to start. This environment fits with my values, and I’m thrilled to be here.
“Right now, I am very focused on my team rather than the opposition. We know we will face one of the best teams in Europe, but we’re just thinking about our performance.”
Chelsea have never lost a WSL match against West Ham, winning 13 and drawing two of their previous meetings, including a 4-0 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season. However, last season’s visit to Kingsmeadow brought West Ham a memorable 2-2 draw. Bompastor confirmed Keira Walsh and Aggie Beever-Jones will miss the match. “I don't think Keira will be available for the game at the weekend, but she's in a good place,” she said. “Aggie trained this morning. She won’t be available for the weekend, but probably next weekend.” Kadeisha Buchanan and Mayra Ramirez continue their recovery from long-term injuries.
Manchester City hosts Everton, looking to maintain its position at the top of the table. The sides last met in November, when City secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Goodison Park to go top of the WSL, with goals from Vivianne Miedema and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw. City boss Andrée Jeglertz confirmed Aoba Fujino remains unavailable, while Mary Fowler continues her rehabilitation. “Everton have caused us challenges previously,” he said. “I expect a team that is skilful on the ball and tactically fluid. Everyone wants to beat us, and we have to love that.”
Everton manager Brian Sørensen acknowledged the challenge ahead. “They have an excellent team, and we have to perform,” he said. “We need to be right in the defensive department. We know how good they are. If we get our things right, we will have a chance on the day. We need to be aligned.”
Tottenham Hotspur face Leicester City with Spurs head coach Martin Ho reflecting on squad development, new arrivals and long-term planning. On how Signe Gaupset has settled into the group, Ho said: “She’s settled in really well. She’s shy as a person, as you can imagine. When you come into a new environment and a new Club, the Club obviously being a lot bigger, the surroundings being a lot bigger, and the infrastructure being a lot bigger, but she's trained really well. She’s settled into the group on the pitch, and I think that’s where she comes into her own.”
He also paid tribute to Ashleigh Neville following her departure earlier this week. “She’s a wonderful person and an iconic figure for this football club,” he said. “She’s been part of building this club and helping us get to where it is now. She’ll be remembered in the right way.”
Looking ahead to Leicester, Ho added: “Since Rick has gone in there, he’s done an outstanding job. They’re well organised, very aggressive defensively and very fluid in the future. We know it’s going to be a tough game and one we’ll have to earn.”
The weekend concludes at St Helens Stadium, where Liverpool host London City Lionesses. Liverpool will be without Beata Olsson, Hannah Silcock, Leanne Kiernan and Sam Kerr, though Gemma Bonner and Grace Fisk return to contention. January signings Alice Bergstrom and Jennifer Falk are eligible to feature. Head coach Gareth Taylor said: “It’s slightly better with those two centre-backs returning. We want more options and more opportunities to make changes.”
With pressure building at both ends of the table, the WSL resumes with a full slate of fixtures that promise intensity, narrative and significance as the season moves into its decisive phase.
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