Matchday 13 Preview across BWSL & BWSL2
After a weekend dominated by Adobe Women’s FA Cup action, attention now turns firmly back to the league, with a packed schedule of fixtures across both the BWSL and BWSL2. With key battles forming at both ends of the table, Matchday 13 promises plenty of intrigue as momentum begins to build in the second half of the season.
Before turning the focus fully to the upcoming fixtures, here’s a reminder of how things unfolded in the previous round of BWSL action.
Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion
Friday 23rd January, Goodison Park, 19:00
Friday night football returns to Goodison Park with what could be a pivotal clash, as tenth-placed Everton host eighth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion. Both sides arrive looking to halt difficult runs of form after suffering back-to-back league defeats, making this an important early opportunity to reset.
For Everton, their situation has become increasingly tense. Since a notable 1-0 victory over Chelsea, defeats against Arsenal and Manchester City have followed, leaving Brian Sørensen’s side just four points clear of relegation-threatened Liverpool. Concerns extend beyond results alone. Over their last five league matches, Everton sit bottom for goals scored with just four, while conceding ten, giving them a joint-worst goal difference in that period. However, last weekend’s emphatic 5-0 FA Cup win over West Brom could act as a turning point and provide a much-needed platform to build from.
Brighton arrive with a similar recent narrative, having also lost their last two league fixtures against Chelsea and Aston Villa. That said, the Seagulls have still picked up four more points than Everton over the same stretch. Another positive comes from the reverse fixture, where Brighton claimed a 1-0 home win thanks to a goal from Michelle Agyemang. While the young Lioness will miss the remainder of the season, the South Coast side will be hoping to replicate that disciplined performance and result on their trip to Merseyside.
Chelsea v Arsenal
Saturday 24th January, Stamford Bridge, 12:30
Fresh from midweek Subway Women’s League Cup drama, Chelsea and Arsenal renew their rivalry at Stamford Bridge in a fixture that rarely fails to deliver headlines. Chelsea booked their place in the final, while Arsenal were edged out by Manchester United, setting the stage for another compelling chapter between these two sides.
Since their defeat to Everton three gameweeks ago, Chelsea have been relentless in front of goal, scoring 30 times in just six matches across all competitions ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final. That run includes consecutive 5-0 victories, against West Ham United in the league and Crystal Palace in last weekend’s FA Cup tie. The West London side continue to keep pace with league leaders Manchester City and will be eager to maintain that pressure.
For Arsenal, this fixture offers a chance to put their cup disappointment behind them and make a statement in the league. Victories over Chelsea have been rare in recent seasons, with their last win coming in March 2024, when Stina Blackstenius’ dramatic 116th-minute strike sealed the Subway League Cup final. Another three points here would be both timely and significant.
Aston Villa v Manchester United
Sunday 25th January, Villa Park, 11:55
Manchester United head to Villa Park still buoyed by midweek celebrations after reaching the Subway Women’s League Cup final. However, attention quickly turns back to league matters, and the opportunity for revenge following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa earlier this season, when Miriael Taylor’s first-half goal proved decisive.
For the hosts, inconsistency has been a defining theme, particularly over recent weeks. Aston Villa have recorded just two wins alongside three defeats across all competitions, though they showed real character in their comeback victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. That result helped ease the sting of a heavy 6-1 defeat to Manchester City and restored some confidence heading into this fixture.
Manchester United’s recent form paints a contrasting picture. Marc Skinner’s side have gone unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions, recording four wins and a draw. The only frustration has been back-to-back league draws, which have seen United slip to fifth in the table. Even so, they remain just one point behind both Arsenal and Tottenham in the tightly packed race for European qualification.
Leicester City v West Ham United
Sunday 25th January, King Power Stadium, 11:55
Attention shifts to the lower end of the table as Leicester City and West Ham United meet in a fixture that could prove crucial in the fight to avoid the drop. With both sides eager to create breathing space, three points would carry significant weight.
Leicester head into the weekend five points clear of bottom-placed Liverpool, but their recent form offers limited reassurance. Over the last five league games, the Foxes have collected just one more point than the Reds. A narrow defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in their last outing was not the ideal start to the New Year, but the arrival of experienced WSL additions Ashleigh Neville and Rachel Williams should bring leadership and composure as the season progresses.
For West Ham, it has been a mixed spell, with just one win in their last five league matches. However, a composed 3-0 victory over Newcastle United in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup last weekend provided a welcome boost. Their manager described the result as a much-needed confidence lift, and the Hammers will hope that momentum carries over into this important league encounter.
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday 25th January, St Helens Stadium, 11:55
Liverpool come into this fixture unbeaten in their last two league games, having picked up draws against West Ham United and London City Lionesses. The challenge now is to turn those points into victories, as Gareth Taylor’s side look to climb the table, leapfrog the Hammers, and close the gap on Everton and Leicester.
Taylor has been well supported in the transfer window, with several new faces arriving in recent weeks. That backing has already paid dividends, with Denise O’Sullivan, Martha Thomas and Alice Bergstrom all finding the net in last week’s FA Cup win over London Bees.
Tottenham arrive in strong league form, with two wins and two draws from their last four matches seeing them overtake Manchester United and move level on points with Arsenal. Despite facing the league’s bottom side, Spurs will be wary, having managed just one win in their last five meetings with Liverpool. They will be keen to improve that record as the race for European places intensifies.
London City Lionesses v Manchester City
Sunday 25 January, Copperjax Community Stadium, 11:55
This fixture marks only the second meeting between the two sides, with Manchester City emerging 4-1 winners when they last faced London City Lionesses back in September. That afternoon saw goals from Miedema, Blinkilde and a brace from the ever-dangerous Shaw, while Parris struck just before the break to keep City firmly in control.
London City Lionesses come into the match under new leadership, with Eder Maestre unbeaten in his first two games in charge. A goalless draw with Liverpool was followed by a 1-0 FA Cup win over Sunderland, but the challenge now steps up considerably against league leaders who have lost just once all season.
For Manchester City, this match arrives at a key moment following their midweek semi-final defeat to Chelsea. How they respond will be closely watched. City have repeatedly shown their strength throughout the campaign and will be focused on maintaining their six-point advantage over Chelsea by limiting mistakes and reasserting control.
BWSL2
Portsmouth v Birmingham City
Saturday 24 January, Westleigh Park, 17:15
If the reverse fixture is anything to go by, Saturday evening’s meeting on the South Coast should provide plenty of entertainment.
That earlier encounter produced seven goals, including four inside the opening half-hour. The first half ended level at 2-2 before Birmingham struck three times in the space of seven minutes after the break to seal victory in dramatic fashion.
As the second half of the season begins, Birmingham have made their intentions clear with an active winter transfer window. The standout addition is Wilma Leidhammar, their new record signing, a player expected to bring goals, creativity and added quality to Amy Merricks’ side.
Portsmouth, meanwhile, have endured a challenging start to the New Year. Jessie Gale was recalled by Arsenal and subsequently moved to Bristol City, before Pompey suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to South Coast rivals Southampton. Sitting five points clear of bottom-placed Ipswich, they will be keen to add to that cushion.
Crystal Palace v Durham
Sunday 25 January, VBS Community Stadium, 12:00
Much like Birmingham City, Crystal Palace find themselves firmly in the promotion conversation following an impressive run of four consecutive league victories. The Eagles sit just three points behind third-placed Bristol City and continue to build momentum.
Last time out in the league, January signing Hayley Ladd made an instant impression, scoring a stunning late free-kick against Sheffield United to secure all three points at Bramall Lane. It was a moment that underlined Palace’s growing belief.
For Durham, the picture is less encouraging. Five league matches without a win have seen them slide down the table, leaving them just five points clear of Ipswich. However, with games in hand on teams around them, a positive run of results could quickly see them move away from danger.
Charlton Athletic v Newcastle United
Sunday 25 January, The Valley, 14:00
A true promotion clash awaits, with both sides boasting identical recent records of four wins and a draw from their last five league games.
Charlton Athletic go into the weekend sitting top of the table, unbeaten through their first eleven matches. A five-point lead over Birmingham City and an eight-point cushion over Newcastle underlines their consistency so far this season.
The reverse fixture back in September was settled by a single moment, as Katie Bradley’s penalty proved enough to separate the sides. It marked the first victory in this fixture across their last three meetings, and another tightly contested battle could be on the cards.
Ipswich Town v Bristol City
Sunday 25 January, JobServe Community Stadium, 14:00
On paper, this matchup pits the league’s most potent attack against its most vulnerable defence, but football has a habit of defying expectations.
Ipswich head into the weekend without a win in their last five league matches, having narrowly lost to Sunderland in their final game before the winter break. A busy few days in the January window has seen fresh faces arrive, with Colette Cavanagh and Lucy Ashworth-Clifford strengthening the midfield as Ipswich look to bolster their survival bid.
Bristol City have started 2026 in positive fashion, recording a league win over Nottingham Forest and an FA Cup victory against Southampton that required extra time. Emily Syme proved decisive, scoring a late winner to continue what has been her most productive season to date for goals and assists.
Nottingham Forest v Sheffield United
Sunday 25 January, The City Ground, 14:00
Both sides come into this fixture desperate to return to winning ways after difficult runs of form that have seen them slide down the table.
For Nottingham Forest, this represents their toughest spell since promotion to WSL2. Ending that run will not be straightforward, as they face a Sheffield United side they have yet to defeat in recent seasons.
Sheffield United may be winless in their last four league games, but they found some respite in the FA Cup with a victory over fellow WSL2 side Ipswich. Charlie Devlin scored twice in that match, her first goals since early November, and those strikes could prove vital for confidence moving forward.
Sunderland v Southampton
Sunday 25 January, Eppleton Colliery Football Ground, 14:00
With both sides exiting the FA Cup last weekend, this fixture presents an immediate opportunity to respond and get back to winning ways.
Sunderland have endured one of the tougher runs in the division, yet results across all competitions offer some encouragement. Three wins in their last five matches have come against Durham, Derby and Ipswich. If Sunderland are to find success here, it is likely to involve the league’s top scorer Emily Scarr, who has netted five times in her last seven outings and now sits just one goal short of her best-ever seasonal return.
Southampton arrive in confident mood following a dominant 4-0 derby win over Portsmouth. That result was about more than just three points, reinforcing their push towards the promotion places. While Sunderland boast the league’s leading scorer, Southampton’s strength lies in their spread of goals, with four different players finding the net in that emphatic victory.
