A new kind of pressure for Man City
Man City vs Man Utd, Saturday, 1.30pm
After Chelsea’s draw at Arsenal, Manchester City have shifted from chaser to the chased. How they respond to that added pressure — against their realistic title rivals and cross‑town opponents with the division’s second‑tightest defence — will say a lot about their credentials.
City’s forwards have netted 15 times this term, at least six more than any other side. Iman Beney’s arrival underlines new ambition, but Andree Jeglertz’s approach this season is more results‑driven than pure aesthetics. City still favour possession, but passing metrics (average possession, sequence time, pass frequency) are down on last season while the team have become better at winning the ball deeper and attacking quickly. Jeglertz’s message after trailing to Everton — “We will miss passes, but we hunt the ball back” — sums up the shift; Viv Miedema and Bunny Shaw delivered a comeback 2-1 win.
Marc Skinner’s United have taken points off Chelsea and Arsenal this season. If they recover from an embarrassing home defeat to Aston Villa and build on a morale‑boosting midweek win over PSG, the sense that this could be the year the WSL trophy leaves west London will grow. A slip would leave City seven points adrift — not insurmountable, but significant.
History beckons for Chelsea
Liverpool vs Chelsea, Sunday, 12pm
Chelsea sit on the precipice of WSL history. A win or draw this weekend would extend their unbeaten league run to 34 games, breaking their own record of 33. Sonia Bompastor said the run isn’t a focus, but achieving it would be remarkable. Captain Millie Bright could also set the WSL appearance record with her 211th game — a milestone that underlines her standing at the club.
Liverpool arrive buoyed by their first WSL point last weekend. Gareth Taylor has previously managed to beat Chelsea twice in recent league meetings and was in charge the last time the Blues failed to score in a WSL match, so he knows how to cause problems. Whether Liverpool can execute that plan this time is another question; Chelsea look formidable.
Spurs look good — but Ho must prove they can mix with the best
Tottenham vs Arsenal, Sunday, 2.30pm
It’s rare to see Arsenal level on points with Tottenham before a north London derby. Spurs have historically struggled in the fixture (one win in 11), but Martin Ho has reignited them with an all‑action, direct style. Tottenham have won three of four at home and actually have more wins overall this season than Arsenal, closing the gap on last season’s points tally.
The tactical contrast is stark: Spurs’ fast, direct play versus Arsenal’s methodical, intricate approach. That contrast makes the match particularly intriguing now. However, 75% of Spurs’ conceded goals this season came across just two matches, including a five‑goal game at Man City. Ho’s side have beaten every team in the bottom half but lost all three matches against top‑half opponents — the key challenge is proving they can bridge that gap.
Back to the day job for Aston Villa
Aston Villa vs London City Lionesses, Sunday, 12pm
After a surprise win at Manchester United, Villa return to a league fixture that will shape their mid‑table fate. A victory could lift them into sixth and, with a game in hand on fifth‑placed Tottenham, put them in position to push higher.
London City have a perfect record against teams outside last season’s top four, but they also have one of the leakiest defences. Which side can fix their main issue — Villa’s consistency or City Lionesses’ defence — will largely determine the outcome.
Leicester hoping to end poor away run
Brighton vs Leicester, Sunday, 12pm
Leicester have stabilised under Rick Passmore after a turbulent pre‑season, but their away form remains dire: without a win in their last 20 WSL road games (D7 L13). They could end up with the longest winless away sequence in WSL history if it continues.
Brighton are strong at home and will host the match at the Amex Stadium. The Seagulls have lost just once in five WSL home games (W3 D1), though that recent defeat came against Manchester United. Brighton will see this as an opportunity to lift a season that hasn’t matched previous highs.
Can West Ham follow up their first point?
West Ham vs Everton, Sunday, 12pm
West Ham finally registered their first league point in their eighth WSL game against Leicester and beat Southampton 5-0 in the League Cup midweek, adding confidence. A home game against Everton is a timely chance to build momentum: West Ham have won three of their last four WSL home meetings with Everton (L1) and kept four clean sheets in five.
Everton, however, are short on form — they haven’t won since the opening day at Liverpool and remain perilously close to the relegation zone. Both teams will view this as a vital fixture to seize advantage as the season progresses.