The Barclays Women’s Super League is back and it’s bigger than ever. 14 teams will compete in England’s top division for the first time in the league’s history and it kicks off on Friday with a mouthwatering clash between London City Lionesses and Manchester United.
There’s plenty to be excited about with a whole host of newbies alongside some more recognisable faces - though some are in less familiar colours. So ahead of a weekend packed full of action, here’s the lowdown on what to expect from each match.
London City Lionesses vs Manchester United - Bromley’s Spanish fiesta
The signing of two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas has sparked uncontrollable excitement amongst London City Lionesses’ ever-growing fanbase and all eyes will be on the 32-year-old when she makes her debut in blue, but her Spanish compatriot and new Manchester United boss Eva Olid is somewhat of an unknown quantity in England.
She joins United from Hearts, having delivered a historic first Scottish Women’s Premier League title and the Red Devils hope she can take them to new heights. Following a fourth-placed finish last season, Olid will be aiming to turn her side into true title contenders and a win over one of the league’s most ambitious operators would be an early statement of intent.
The Lionesses have similar aims and having failed to beat any of the top four last season, including two defeats to United, they’ll turn to Putellas to inspire a landmark win in the league’s curtain raiser.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa - Villa begin post-Hanson era
Last campaign was a season of regression for Aston Villa who, were it not for the goalscoring exploits of Kirsty Hanson, could have diced with the dotted line. The Scot’s 12 BWSL goals earned her a move to Tottenham Hotspur, leaving a gaping hole in Villa’s attacking arsenal.
The 28-year-old was directly involved in 46% of the Second City side’s 28 league goals and replacing her contributions will be key if they’re to swerve a relegation battle this campaign. Expectation will fall on Rachel Daly - once a 22-goal golden boot winner for the Villains - to turn back the clock and help Natalia Arroyo’s team fill the attacking void.
Hanson netted twice in Villa’s narrow 4-3 defeat to Chelsea back in March but without her services they’ll need to trouble the Blues in other ways. Villa haven’t beat Chelsea since their return to the top flight, so can Daly and Co. cause an upset?
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Arsenal - Are Seagulls becoming Gunners’ kryptonite?
There’s no better example of Brighton’s development since Dario Vidosic took charge than their record against Arsenal. The Seagulls had gone seven games without scoring against the Gunners - including one under the Australian - before they finally recorded a 4-2 win over them in May 2025.
Despite a 1-0 defeat in North London last October, Vidosic’s side showed their quality when they dumped Arsenal out of the FA Cup earlier this year before earning a point against them weeks later. They matched the then-European champions for shots on target across those three fixtures - a stark contrast from the 28-0 aggregate scoreline accrued in the previous seven clashes.
Arsenal need a better start than they managed in the early weeks of last season, whilst Brighton have flirted with the prospect of becoming a serious threat to the sides who sit at the BWSL’s top table. So can the Seagulls cause more headaches for the three-time league champions?
Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United - Hammers hoping for better fortune in MD1 repeat
Spurs host West Ham on Sunday, in a repeat of last year’s opening fixture. The Hammers had a nightmare start to their BWSL campaign after falling to a 1-0 loss at the hands of their London rivals, with Bethany England’s late penalty punishing the Irons for their profligacy in front of goal.
That defeat kick-started an eight-game winless run for West Ham, including seven straight defeats. A poor start in the previous campaign had similarly seen them slip down the table and they’ll be eager to get off on a better footing under Rita Guarino.
Spurs’ inability to truly challenge the top three has largely been as a result of defeats to the league’s big hitters, but recent losses against the likes of Liverpool and Everton show they need to be more consistent against teams concerned with staving off relegation. This fixture presents a good chance to start how they mean to go on.
Crystal Palace vs Everton - Do Palace possess the firepower to edge past Toffees?
Crystal Palace ended last season like a freight train. The Eagles soared during the run-in and secured an immediate return to the top tier, whilst smashing three goals past fellow promotees Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic along the way.
That said, they managed nine fewer goals in 25/26 than they did in their previous promotion campaign so finding a regular source of goals will be important and new signing England, who arrives from Spurs, could be just that.
Jo Potter’s side did find their shooting boots post-November, netting 3 or more in six of their last 13 matches whilst all but one of Everton’s final 10 BWSL games were decided by a single goal, so Palace will be confident they can overpower the Toffees.
Charlton Athletic vs Liverpool - How will Addicks handle the step up?
When goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse saved Noemie Mouchon’s deciding penalty in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2’s maiden play-off match, Charlton Athletic became the first third-placed side to win promotion to the top tier.
The BWSL’s expanded format may well result in a more competitive landscape, but a lot will depend on whether the second and third promotees can mix it with the teams at the level above. It’s a favourable start for Karen Hills’ team, as they welcome a Liverpool side who avoided the drop despite footing the table until the final eight games.
The Reds showed improved form thereafter, though they did slip to a run of defeats in the season’s closing stages. Gareth Taylor’s team managed just 21 goals in the BWSL last campaign - if they’re to improve on that tally, they’ll need to start by finding a way past a Charlton side who thrived on defensive solidity at the level below.
Manchester City vs Birmingham City - Can Blues find a way to hurt imperious City?
Despite their four-year hiatus from the BWSL, Birmingham City were recently acquainted with Manchester City, having faced Andree Jeglertz’s team in an FA Cup quarter-final back in April. The BWSL2 champions failed to lay a glove on the Citizens during their 1-0 loss, ending the match without testing Khiara Keating in the City goal.
Amy Merricks’ side excelled at both ends of the pitch during their title-winning campaign and they’ll need to prove they can do the same at a higher level. They’ll depend on getting the likes of Wilma Leidhammar and Lily Crosthwaite into threatening areas, starting with their trip to the holders.
Games against the likes of City won’t define their season but with a tough opening run of fixtures, Blues must show they can punish teams if given the chance.
