Barclays WSL2 Matchweek 18 Preview

The BWSL2 returns this weekend with a full slate of fixtures that could have a real bearing on both ends of the table. With the season entering a crucial stretch, every point is taking on added importance: promotion contenders are trying to keep their momentum alive, while those at the bottom know results are now becoming increasingly urgent.

Charlton Athletic remain well placed at the summit, but the race behind them is still finely poised, with Birmingham City, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace all jostling for promotion. Down at the other end, Durham, Portsmouth, Ipswich Town and Sheffield United are still tightly packed in the survival fight, where one result can quickly change the picture. Below, we take a look at all of this weekend’s action.

Durham vs Southampton

Sunday 22nd March, Maiden Castle, 12:00pm

Durham face Southampton in a game that feels significant for very different reasons. For the Wildcats, it is about halting a worrying slide and finding a response after a difficult week that brought a change in the dugout and another damaging defeat in a relegation six-pointer. For Southampton, meanwhile, it is a chance to steady their own form, keep the pressure on the teams above, and ensure they finish the campaign with something still to play for.

Durham’s preparations have been far from ideal. Adam Furness’ departure from his role as head coach was confirmed just 90 minutes before kick-off in their defeat to Ipswich Town last time out, with Neil Redfearn, formerly of Liverpool and Sheffield United, stepping in to see out the season. But the change did not deliver an immediate lift, as the Wildcats were beaten by one of their direct rivals at the bottom. A poor first half left them with too much to do, and although Tyler Toland’s second-half consolation offered something to build on, it was not enough to prevent another frustrating afternoon.

That result leaves Durham in the middle of a fierce survival scrap, with four sides separated by just a single point at the foot of the table. In that kind of battle, momentum matters just as much as points, and Redfearn’s side badly need a performance that restores belief as well as position. Beth Hepple remains their key attacking outlet and, with seven league goals already this season, she will once again be central to any hopes of hurting Southampton.

The visitors arrive in the North East sitting sixth in the table, firmly in the league’s midtable pack, with a seven-point gap to the promotion places that is significant but not yet insurmountable. Simon Parker’s side were edged out by Birmingham City last time out, but they have shown enough quality across the season to suggest they remain a dangerous opponent. They score goals, create chances and have been one of the more balanced sides in the division, even if results have been a little inconsistent in 2026.

Ellie Brazil has been at the heart of their attacking threat, leading the club’s goal and assist charts and providing the kind of consistent output that has kept Southampton competitive. Tara Bourne has also been a notable creative force from defence, with her four assists highlighting just how much of Southampton’s build-up can flow through her. Statistically, the Saints stack up well too, ranking among the division’s stronger sides for goals scored, goals conceded and big chances created.

There is also a layer of recent history to add intrigue. Southampton are still waiting for a first league win over Durham, with the reverse fixture ending 1-1 back in November after Beth Hepple had given the Wildcats the lead before Atlanta Primus equalised for the Saints. That record may give Durham some encouragement, but on current form, the visitors still look the more settled side.

For Durham, though, the stakes are obvious: they need points, and quickly. With so little separating the sides at the foot of the table, Sunday’s meeting could prove important well beyond the final whistle.

Birmingham City vs Sheffield United

Sunday 22nd March, St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, 2:00pm

Birmingham City return to league action on Sunday looking to steady themselves after a frustrating midweek setback, while Sheffield United arrive on the back of one of the most dramatic results of the season. It is the kind of quick turnaround that can tell you plenty about both sides: for the Blues, whether they can keep the pressure on Charlton at the top, and for the Blades, whether their battling qualities can again help them in a relegation scrap that remains incredibly tight.

Amy Merricks’ side were beaten 2-0 away at Newcastle United on Wednesday, a result that came as a blow in the title race and left them with more ground to make up on leaders Charlton Athletic. The Blues remain second and still have a game in hand on the Addicks, but the margin is now nine points, and with Crystal Palace only a point behind in third, the pressure is beginning to build at both ends of the promotion picture. City’s recent run has not been disastrous, but failing to win three of their last four has opened the door for the teams around them.

Sheffield United, meanwhile, travel south full of belief after snatching a late 2-2 draw at Sunderland in midweek. Amy Andrews was again the key figure, scoring twice, including a stoppage-time penalty deep into added time, to rescue a point in the most dramatic fashion. That kind of resilience could prove valuable in a relegation battle that is becoming increasingly congested. The Blades are ninth, but they sit just one point above Durham, Ipswich Town and Portsmouth, and with two games in hand on the bottom side, every result carries serious weight.

History, though, is firmly on City’s side. The Blues have won all four previous meetings between the two sides, including a dramatic reverse fixture in September. On that occasion, Lucy Quinn put Birmingham ahead from the spot, Joy Ralph levelled late on for the Blades, and Lily Crosthwaite won it in stoppage time to preserve City’s perfect record in the fixture.

Crosthwaite has continued to be a major attacking force this season, registering 12 league goal contributions, six goals and six assists, to lead the way for the Blues. Veatriki Sarri has also been central to their threat, sitting second in the league’s golden boot race with seven goals while also creating chances for others with 34 chances created this season. As a team, City’s numbers underline why they remain among the division’s strongest sides: they average 2.4 goals per game, the best record in the league, and have also conceded the second-fewest goals per match, while keeping five clean sheets, again second only to Charlton.

Sheffield United, by contrast, have struggled to find the same level of consistency at both ends of the pitch. Even after scoring twice against Sunderland, they still have the lowest goals-per-game average in the division at 0.9, and they have kept just one clean sheet all season. Amy Andrews will once again be the main attacking threat after her brace in midweek took her to six league goals for the campaign, but the Blades will need more than individual quality if they are to trouble a Birmingham side so strong in possession and so efficient in both boxes. They will also be without Charlie Devlin, their second-top scorer, after her sending-off last time out.

There is even the added subplot of Connie Scofield potentially facing her former club. The midfielder is on loan with Sheffield United, but she played 29 times for Birmingham between 2015 and 2021, adding extra familiarity to a fixture already shaped by contrasting ambitions.

For Merricks’ side, this is about reasserting themselves in the promotion picture, while for Sheffield United, it is about proving that the spirit shown at Sunderland can travel.

Bristol City vs Charlton Athletic

Sunday 22nd March, Ashton Gate Stadium, 2:00pm

Ashton Gate will host what looks set to be one of the standout fixtures of the weekend, with both sides having plenty on the line. Bristol City remain firmly in the promotion mix, but they head into Sunday in need of a response after a dip in form, while Charlton continue to set the pace at the top of the table and arrive at Ashton Gate with the confidence of leaders who have largely set the standard all season.

For Charlotte Healy’s side, recent results have taken some of the momentum out of their campaign. They are now winless in their last four matches in all competitions, including three in the league, and last weekend’s 2-2 draw away at bottom side Portsmouth will have felt like a missed opportunity. Sitting fifth and four points adrift of the promotion play-off places, Bristol City know they cannot afford for that run to extend much further if they are to stay in the hunt.

Despite that, they remain one of the division’s most dangerous attacking sides. City boast the second-highest goals-per-game average in the league, and their forward line continues to deliver. Rio Hardy leads the way as the league’s top scorer with eight goals, while Jessie Gale and Lexi Lloyd-Smith are close behind on seven each. With Emily Syme also contributing consistently from midfield, Bristol City have multiple routes to goal; the challenge now is rediscovering the cutting edge that has deserted them in recent weeks.

Charlton, by contrast, arrive in far more stable form. Karen Hills’ side responded well to their first league defeat of the season against Portsmouth by securing a 1-0 win over Sunderland last time out, with Amalie Thestrup providing the decisive moment. That result maintained their position at the top of the table, where they sit nine points clear, albeit having played a game more than second-placed Birmingham City.

The Addicks’ success has been built on defensive solidity as much as anything else. While their goals-per-game return is relatively modest for a league leader, they boast the best defensive record in the division, conceding just 0.7 goals per match and keeping eight clean sheets, three more than any other side. Their ability to stay compact and limit chances has been the foundation of their consistency, even if they see less of the ball than many of their rivals.

The reverse fixture at The Valley highlighted that balance. Charlton ran out 2-0 winners, with Katie Bradley opening the scoring from the penalty spot before Gracie Pearse added a second, and Bristol City will need to find a way to break down that structure if they are to get back to winning ways. Historically, the fixture has been competitive, with Charlton winning two of the four meetings, Bristol City one, and one ending in a draw.

There is also an added layer of intrigue with several players set to face former clubs. Thestrup, Ella Powell, Emma Bissell, Jodie Hutton, Carla Humphrey and Katie Robinson all have connections on the other side, adding a personal edge to an already significant contest.

For Bristol City, this is a chance to halt their slide and reassert themselves in the promotion race. For Charlton, it is another opportunity to underline again why they have been the benchmark all season.

Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich Town

Sunday 22nd March, The City Ground, 2:00pm

Nottingham Forest return to the City Ground looking to arrest a difficult run of form, while Ipswich Town arrive in far better spirits after stringing together a useful run in their fight for survival. For both sides, Sunday offers an important chance to shape the final stretch of the season: Forest to push themselves further clear of danger and back towards the sides above them, and Ipswich to build on the momentum that has started to breathe new life into their relegation battle.

Forest have had a frustrating start to 2026 and come into this one having failed to win any of their last four league games. Last Sunday’s narrow 1-0 defeat away to Crystal Palace was another reminder of how fine the margins can be, and with eighth place still precariously placed, Carly Davies’ side know they must start turning performances into points sooner rather than later if they are to pull clear and ease any lingering pressure. The Reds currently sit level on points with Sunderland in seventh and six clear of the drop zone, so a win here would do plenty to strengthen their position.

Ipswich, by contrast, are beginning to show genuine signs of stability under caretaker boss David Wright. Since his arrival in January, they are unbeaten in the league and have not tasted defeat since before Christmas, a run that has injected much-needed confidence at a crucial stage of the campaign. Last time out, the Tractor Girls picked up a significant 2-1 win over Durham in a relegation six-pointer, with January loan signing Princess Ademiluyi and Lucy Ashworth-Clifford both on target before Durham’s late goal set up a tense finish.

That result mattered not just for the points, but for the belief it will have given Ipswich in a season where wins have been hard to come by. They remain in the thick of the relegation scrap, sitting 11th and level on points with Portsmouth below and Durham above, with only goal difference keeping the sides apart. They have won just three league games all season, so every positive result now carries real weight.

The numbers point to an intriguing contrast in styles. Forest dominate the ball more than any other side in the division, boasting the league’s highest average possession at 60.6 per cent, but have struggled to turn that control into cutting edge in the final third. They average 1.2 goals per game while conceding 1.8, underlining the gap between their territorial dominance and end product.

Ipswich, on the other hand, are far less possession-based. They have the lowest shots on target tally in the league, have created the fewest big chances, and average just 40.4 per cent possession. They also concede at a worrying rate, with 2.2 goals against per game, but their recent results have shown that they can be effective when games become more transitional and open.

There is little history between the sides, with their only previous meeting coming in September’s reverse fixture. On that occasion, Forest edged a tight contest away from home, with Nahikari García scoring the decisive goal before her loan spell came to an end in January.

Individual battles could be key once again on Sunday. Sophie Peskett has been one of Ipswich’s brightest performers this season, with seven goal contributions, while Rianna Dean has led the scoring. Forest, meanwhile, will look to Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah to provide their main attacking spark; she leads the club for goal contributions with six in the league this season.

Forest will expect to have more of the ball, but Ipswich have shown they can be dangerous when opponents leave space behind them. That should make for an interesting contest: one side looking to control, the other looking to counter, and both needing points for very different reasons.

Portsmouth vs Sunderland

Sunday 22nd March, Fratton Park, 2:00pm

Portsmouth welcome Sunderland to Fratton Park with a rare sense of momentum behind them, having recently found life in their battle at the wrong end of the table. Jay Sadler’s side have already shown they can cause problems for anyone on their day, with a shock win over league leaders Charlton Athletic followed by a positive point against Bristol City last weekend. They will be hoping their recent upturn is the start of a much-needed run rather than just a brief spark.

That Charlton result stood out in particular. Pompey’s 2-0 victory ended the league leaders’ unbeaten run and provided a reminder of what this side are capable of when everything clicks. Before that, they had gone without a league win since November, underlining just how significant that result was. But with only four league wins all season, they remain under real pressure to turn encouraging performances into something more sustained.

Sadler’s side sit rock bottom of the table on 14 points, level with Ipswich Town and Durham, but with an inferior goal difference and more games played than both. That makes the margins brutally tight.

Sunderland, meanwhile, arrive on the back of a frustrating midweek draw with Sheffield United, a game they came within seconds of winning before Amy Andrews’ stoppage-time penalty denied them all three points. It was a result that captured both Sunderland’s competitiveness and the thin line they have often found themselves on this season. Melanie Reay’s side have been solid enough to keep themselves clear of danger, but not quite consistent enough to truly break into the promotion picture.

They are seventh in the table, level on points with Nottingham Forest in eighth, six clear of the relegation zone, but 11 points adrift of the promotion play-off places. A win at Fratton Park would not suddenly transform their season, but it would strengthen their hold on midtable and remove any lingering concern about teams below them. More importantly, it would give them a chance to build on a platform that has been steady, if not spectacular, for much of the campaign.

The head-to-head record is tight enough to suggest another competitive afternoon. Portsmouth have won two of the four previous meetings, Sunderland one, with the other ending level. The reverse fixture in November was a thriller, with Pompey winning 3-2 thanks to two stoppage-time goals from Meg Hornby and Jessie Gale after Sunderland had led 2-1 late on through Emily Scarr’s brace. It was a result that summed up Portsmouth’s ability to stay in games, even when the odds seem against them.

Hornby will again be central to Pompey’s hopes. She leads the club’s scoring charts with six league goals and has been one of their most reliable attacking outlets, starting 15 of their 16 league matches. For Sunderland, Scarr remains a major threat, with nine league goal contributions this season and the kind of direct attacking quality that can change a match quickly. If she can find space again, Portsmouth will need to defend resiliently.

The numbers suggest a contrast. Sunderland rank in the lower half of the division for both goals scored and goals conceded, and their possession figures are similarly modest, which makes them a fairly typical midtable side: organised enough, but not dominant. Portsmouth, though, have struggled far more. They average just 40.1 per cent possession, have conceded more goals per game than any other side in the league, and have kept only two clean sheets. They also rank near the bottom for big chances created, which reflects why so many of their matches have become uphill battles.

Even so, recent results have offered them something to cling to. A win over the leaders and a point against Bristol City is a better return than many might have expected, and if they can carry that energy into Sunday, they may yet make life uncomfortable for a Sunderland side who are better placed, but still looking for a statement result of their own.

Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace

Sunday 22nd March, Gateshead International Stadium, 5:00pm

Newcastle United and Crystal Palace meet in a game that could have a major say in the promotion race, with just one point separating the sides heading into the weekend. Both arrive in strong form, both are full of confidence, and both know that a win here would carry real weight in a tightly packed race for the top three.

Newcastle are unbeaten in their last five league games and boosted their momentum further in midweek with an impressive 2-0 win over promotion rivals Birmingham City. Jordan Nobbs gave them the lead before Beth Lumsden sealed the result, and it was another reminder of how dangerous Tanya Oxtoby’s side can be when they find their rhythm. They head into this one sitting fourth, only a point outside the promotion places, and with the chance to move into the top three themselves if results go their way.

That makes Sunday feel like a genuine six-pointer. Newcastle know a home win would see them leapfrog Palace into a promotion play-off spot, while the visitors know victory would create breathing room between themselves and one of their closest challengers. In a race this tight, even the smallest margin can alter the complexion of the run-in.

Palace, though, arrive in excellent spirits of their own. They have won four of their last five in the league, and last time out, captain Aimee Everett scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Sitting third, they have built themselves into one of the most difficult sides to beat, and although they are only a point ahead of Newcastle, they have shown the kind of consistency that keeps teams in the promotion conversation. The picture above them is just as tight too, with Birmingham City only a point away in second, so there is no room for complacency.

The reverse fixture in October was a fitting advertisement for how finely balanced these two sides can be. Palace looked to have taken control after going 2-0 up with two second-half goals, but the Magpies responded with real late drama, as Oona Sevenius and Morgan Gautrat both struck beyond the 87th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw. That comeback will give Newcastle belief heading into this one, but Palace will know they had the better of the opening stages that day and will be determined not to let history repeat itself.

There is plenty of attacking talent on show, too. Abbie Larkin has been Palace’s main goalscoring threat with seven league goals, while Ashleigh Weerden has been one of the division’s most productive creators with seven assists. Kirsty Howat has also been a major contributor, combining goals and assists to reach nine goal involvements and giving Palace multiple ways to hurt opponents.

For Newcastle, Jordan Nobbs has been at the heart of everything going forward. The experienced midfielder has produced 10 league goal contributions, split evenly between five goals and five assists, and continues to be their main creative influence. Emily Murphy has been important up front too, scoring six goals, while Aoife Mannion’s ever-present defensive work has helped provide the platform for Newcastle’s strong season. As a team, they have conceded only 1.2 goals per game on average, a figure bettered only by Charlton, and their 57.5 per cent possession average underlines the control they like to exert.

This has the makings of one of the weekend’s most important fixtures: two in-form teams, one promotion spot potentially up for grabs, and enough quality on both sides to make it a compelling contest. For Newcastle, it is a chance to turn momentum into a place in the top three. For Palace, it is an opportunity to keep their grip on it.