The Barclays Women’s Super League 2 is back in action this weekend, kicking off with a clash between newly promoted sides Watford and Burnley on Friday night. This weekend also sees Wolverhampton compete in the BWSL2 for the first time, having won the FA Women’s National League play-off against Plymouth Argyle. Meanwhile, Leicester City return to tier two following a loss in their play-off against the promoted Charlton Athletic.
All six opening fixtures will be available to watch live through the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 Youtube channel.
Watford vs Burnley
Friday 4th September, Vicarage Road, 7:30pm
The BWSL2 season begins at Vicarage Road stadium, as Watford host Burnley in a fixture between two of the newly promoted clubs.
Watford had an outstanding 2025-2026 season in the Southern Premier Division, winning 17 of their league matches and losing just three, earning them a spot at the top of the league table. Forward Madison Perry was key to Watford’s successful campaign, scoring a total of 25 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions. Perry notably netted five goals in Watford’s impressive 0-14 victory over Billericay Town, demonstrating the attacking threat she can bring. The 20-year-old will be crucial to Watford’s fight to make a positive impression upon their return to the BWSL2. This will be their second stint in tier two, having previously faced relegation at the end of the 2023-2024 season. Watford will be eager to kick off September with a win, having unfortunately ended last season with a 2-4 loss at home to Bournemouth.
This season marks Burnley’s first ever campaign in the BWSL2. In the FA Women’s National League North, they went without a loss for the entirety of last season, ending on a high note with a 3-0 win at home over Stoke City. A standout player in earning their promotion was attacking midfielder Millie Ravening, who was awarded Women’s team Player of the Season after scoring 22 goals across all competitions. Another addition to the squad following the summer transfer window is 38-year-old striker Rachel Williams, who joins The Clarets from Leicester City. Williams’ vast experience in both the BWSL and the BWSL2 could provide a huge boost to Burnley’s squad as they enter unfamiliar territory.
With no head-to-head record between these sides, Friday’s fixture offers a unique opportunity with no expectations and a chance to see two promoted clubs compete as they fight to make their mark in the BWSL2.
Durham vs Southampton
Sunday 6th September, Maiden Castle Sports Park, 12:00pm
Five of the gameweek one fixtures take place on Sunday, starting with a clash between Durham and Southampton at midday.
The home side had a challenging 2025-2026 season but escaped relegation after finishing 10th in the BWSL2 table. Despite this, their 0-1 win over Newcastle on the final day may give them confidence heading into September. The summer transfer window resulted in significant change, as midfielder Mollie Lambert departed the club. The 28-year-old was Durham’s joint second highest goalscorer last season and regularly played the full 90 minutes, creating a notable absence within the club. However, midfielder Beth Hepple remains with Durham following a successful campaign that earned her a spot in the BWSL2 team of the season – there is plenty of talent within their squad which could certainly help them climb the league table from week one.
Southampton sat fifth in last season’s league standings, signing off with a 0-3 win away to Nottingham Forest, and will likely be seeking a spot in the top half of the table once more. A key player to look out for is attacking midfielder Mary Bashford, Southampton’s top goalscorer last season. One question heading into the weekend yet to be answered is who will be taking on the captaincy role as former captain Atlanta Primus departed the club in June 2026. As a key piece to Southampton’s success, it will be interesting to see which player steps into her leadership role. The summer transfer window saw Welsh international Laura Hughes join the Saints, having recently won the A-League with former side Melbourne City for the third time. Could her impressive history of silverware help put Southampton on track for success heading into their opening fixture?
Whilst last season’s standings would suggest that Southampton are the stronger of the sides, the head-to-head history between these clubs show that this clash could go either way. Last season both meetings ended in a draw, most recently 0-0 in March but also 1-1 back in November. Will Sunday’s fixture break this pattern, allowing either side to earn three points to kick off their season?
Sunderland vs Bristol City
Sunday 6th September, Eppleton Colliery Football Ground, 2:00pm
Sunderland host Bristol City on Sunday in an attempt to end an unfortunate streak of losses – the home side have not won a league game since March and ended last season with a 2-1 loss away to Ipswich placing them 8th in the table. Their 2026-2027 squad includes a number of BWSL players joining on a loan deal, including Brighton and Hove Albion’s Lily Dent and London City Lioness Sanni Frannsi. One of Sunderland’s key permanent transfers is Welsh international and former Crystal Palace forward Elise Hughes, who signed a two-year contract in July. Another player to look out for in this weekend’s fixture is Midfielder and vice-captain Natasha Fenton, having recently signed a new contract with the club after a successful 2025-2026 season as a regular starter.
Bristol City ended their 2025-2026 campaign in fourth, five points behind Charlton Athletic who were promoted to the BWSL, and will likely be fighting hard for the three points in order to kick off this season on strong ground. The Robins ended last season with a confident 0-4 win away against Sheffield United, however Bristol City will be missing hat-trick scorer Lexi Lloyd-Smith who departed the club in July. One player to watch in Bristol City’s opening games is midfielder Emily Syme. The 26-year-old featured in the BWSL2 team of the season, with a total of 9 assists last season making her a strong presence in the midfield. Bristol City will be looking for a win to start their campaign for promotion, having most recently competed in the BWSL in the 2023-2024 season.
Bristol City came out on top in both most recent meetings between the two sides. However, after an eventful summer transfer window resulting in significant changes within both squads, this clash is undoubtedly set to be an exciting one.
Sheffield United vs Leicester City
Sunday 6th September, Bramall Lane, 2:00pm
Sheffield United host Leicester City to kick off their attempt to avoid relegation once more, having finished 11th in last season’s league table. The home side won just four league fixtures in the 2025-2026 season, most recently losing 0-4 at home to Bristol City. However, the transfer window has presented Sheffield United with a crucial opportunity to bolster their squad as they welcome a few new signings, including Arsenal’s Sophie Harwood who will be joining on loan for the entirety of the season. The 18-year-old defender recently signed her first professional contract with the Gunners and made her senior debut back in March. Her experience playing with the North London side could give Sheffield United’s defence a vital boost heading into this weekend’s match. Meanwhile in attack, last season’s top goalscorer Amy Andrews is one to watch as she enters her second season with the club.
This weekend marks Leicester City’s first BWSL2 game since 2021 – the away side spent five seasons in the BWSL before relegation in May following a play-off loss against Charlton Athletic. The away side will be hoping to end a long streak of losses, having not won a league game since their 1-0 win over London City Lionesses in December 2025. Upon relegation, Leicester City unfortunately saw the departure of a number of key players within their squad including top goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, experienced defender Ashleigh Neville and top goalscoring forward Shannon O’Brien. These absences are likely to make a significant impact on Leicester City’s game, however this also creates key opportunities for the development and change needed to kick start the season with a win as they fight to return to the BWSL.
Sheffield United and Leicester City have not faced each other since 2019, but despite potentially vastly different aims heading into the season, both sides certainly have a lot to play for, setting this meeting up to be gripping.
Newcastle United vs Wolverhampton
Sunday 6th September, Gateshead International Stadium, 2:00pm
Former FA Women’s National League side Wolverhampton travel to Newcastle on Sunday for their first ever BWSL2 fixture.
The home team finished in a respectable sixth in the league table last season, however they have not had a great run of fixtures as of late. Newcastle United’s most recent win was their 2-0 victory against Birmingham City back in March. Despite this, the Magpies will be back with vengeance and an array of new signings with BWSL experience including Liverpool’s Gemma Evans and Leanne Kiernan, and Tottenham Hotspur’s Martha Thomas. Another key player is midfielder and Newcastle United’s top goalscorer of last season Jordan Nobbs. The 33-year-old has a vast amount of BWSL experience, having spent 13 years with Arsenal and 2 with Aston Villa. In her debut season with Newcastle United, she earned a place in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 Team of the Season, demonstrating how valuable she is to the squad. Nobbs will be crucial in the team’s efforts to remain in the top half of the table as the season begins.
Wolverhampton claimed their spot in the BWSL2 after winning a FA Women’s National League play-off against Plymouth Argyle back in May. Since then, the Wolves have made a number of key signings, bringing in experience through the likes of former Everton midfielder Melissa Lawley. Wolverhampton also welcome a number of young players, including 21-year-old defender Tara O’Hanlon, who will offer an opportunity for development as the club seek to make a strong impression in gameweek one. Captain Anna Morphet is another player to keep an eye on this weekend, well accustomed to the club’s set up having played with the Wolves for eight years and becoming key to the team’s promotion.
These two sides have not faced each other since March 2024, when Wolverhampton lost 2-3 to Newcastle United in a National League fixture, however times have changed and it will be intriguing to see who comes out on top now that they are both competing in the BWSL2.
Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest
Sunday 6th September, JobServe Community Stadium, 2:00pm
Ipswich Town host Nottingham Forest in what is set to be an exciting meeting. Ipswich Town finished last season in ninth, having had a difficult start but closing off with three consecutive wins. Their penultimate match day notably saw them travel to promoted side Birmingham City for a 0-3 victory. On a less positive note, the home side have lost joint top goalscorer and top assister Sophie Peskett who has recently signed a contract with Brighton and Hove Albion. Sunday presents an exciting opportunity to see who will step up to take her place on the wing this season. One player that will likely be making an appearance this weekend is striker Kit Graham, who has recently signed a permanent deal with the club having spent the latter half of last season on loan with Ipswich town from Tottenham Hotspur. Graham made an excellent first impression, making 10 BWSL2 appearances in her first stint before officially putting pen to paper in June.
Nottingham Forest had a slightly more successful season than the home side finishing seventh in the BWSL2 table, despite losing 0-3 to Southampton on the closing weekend. A standout player last season and one to look out for this weekend is undeniably Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah. Having signed with the club last summer from London City Lionesses the forward hit the ground running, regularly playing the full 90 minutes and going on to become their top goalscorer of the season after netting seven goals. The away side had an eventful transfer window, signing a number of young BWSL players on a loan basis including Chelsea goalkeeper Katie Cox who spent last season on loan to Aberdeen and Manchester City right-back Codie Thomas. These new additions could inject some energy and depth into the squad, facilitating their efforts to creep into the top half of the BWSL2 table.
Both meetings last season resulted in victories for Nottingham Forest, but due to their close positions in the league table, this game looks as though it could go either way – nothing is promised heading into the opening weekend of the Barclays Women’s Super League 2.
