Knockout football on the weekend agenda
Following the exciting announcement on Friday morning confirming Ashton Gate in Bristol as the destination for this season’s Subway Women’s League Cup Final, attention now turns to the first piece of silverware to be awarded in the 2025/26 season. With WSL football concluded for 2025, the year comes to a close with the Quarter Finals of the League Cup, alongside a round of WSL2 fixtures which you can find out more about here.
So what are the four quarter finals coming your way this Sunday.
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
VBS Community Stadium, Sky Sports and Barclays WSL YouTube
Both sides head into the weekend in red hot form, having won five of their last five games in all competitions. Last time out, Jo Potter’s Eagles were involved in a five goal thriller against Bristol City, with Abbie Larkin’s late strike securing all three points and keeping Crystal Palace firmly in the promotion picture.
For Arsenal, attention was on European action in midweek, as a 3-0 victory over Belgian side Leuven confirmed their place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League playoff round.
The last meeting between these sides came back in March in the WSL, when Arsenal ran out 4-0 winners, a result that further condemned Palace to the bottom of the table. However, as the only WSL2 side left in the competition, Jo Potter’s side will be determined to seize the moment and make history on home soil.
Liverpool v Chelsea
St Helens Stadium, Sky Sports and Barclays WSL YouTube
The last time these two sides met, Beata Olsson, who is nominated for December’s Player of the Month which you can vote for here, cancelled out Alyssa Thompson’s early opener as the points were shared. Since that draw, fortunes have been mixed for Liverpool, with just one win followed by three consecutive defeats.
Chelsea, meanwhile, drew against Barcelona followed by their long unbeaten run coming to an end with defeat to Everton. Since then, the champions have responded emphatically, scoring six against Roma, three against Brighton and coming from behind to beat Wolfsburg to secure their place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter finals.
With both sides eager to end the year on a positive note, this tie promises to be a fascinating test.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
The Progress with Unity Stadium, Sky Sports and Barclays WSL YouTube
If this fixture delivers anything close to the last meeting between these two sides, supporters are in for a festive treat.
Manchester United produced a stunning comeback after trailing 3-0 with just half an hour remaining. Substitute Fridolina Rolfo inspired the turnaround, scoring in the 82nd and 94th minutes, following Ella Toone’s superb piece of technique that gave Marc Skinner’s side belief heading into the closing stages.
United built on that second half display in midweek European action against Juventus, where Rolfo again played a key role by teeing up Jess Park for the only goal of the game, confirming a place in the playoff round.
With Spurs also capable of producing moments of quality, this quarter final has all the ingredients for another dramatic encounter.
West Ham United v Manchester City
Chigwell Construction Stadium, Sky Sports and Barclays WSL YouTube
In the final quarter final, league leaders Manchester City travel to West Ham United, who enter the weekend amid a period of transition following the recent departure of Rehanne Skinner.
With just one win in eleven league fixtures, the Irons sit only two points above Liverpool in the relegation playoff place. However, this tie offers an opportunity to end the year on a high by booking a place in the Subway Women’s League Cup semi final.
Standing in their way are the most in form side in the country. Manchester City have lost just once in all competitions this season, back in early September against Chelsea, and have since gone on to win their last 13 matches. Their latest victory saw Jamaican forward Khadija Bunny Shaw score her 100th, 101st, 102nd and 103rd goals in a commanding 6 1 win over Aston Villa.
Knockout football provides a fresh opportunity for West Ham to make a statement and end the year on a positive note.
How to watch
Each quarter final will be shown live on the Barclays WSL YouTube channel, with the option to watch all four matches at once using YouTube Multiview.
Additionally, every game will also be available on Sky Sports’ WSL YouTube channel, with Sky’s Multiview option accessible via Sky Sports Premier League.