After a chaotic opening weekend within the WSL, gameweek two has rather a lot to dwell as much as.
Gameweek one handled supporters to a pair of huge upsets, with Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis toppled, however with matches in main stadiums, heavyweight clashes and derbies, this week could possibly be simply as enjoyable.
Here is all the things to look out for within the WSL this weekend.
The WSL attendance file is about to be damaged on the Emirates throughout Saturday’s north London derby, with over 51,000 tickets offered for the fixture between Arsenal and Tottenham. Tickets will stay on sale up till kickoff for these wishing to attend.
The present attendance file was additionally set on the north London derby, with a crowd of 38,262 turning out on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November 2019.
Jonas Eidevall was eager to stress the significance of the tickets being bought versus given away or discounted for the sake of the ladies’s recreation’s sustainability.
“Keep in mind it is 50,000offered tickets,” mentioned Eidevall. “It isn’t giveaways, it is not offered for a reduced value; it is offered tickets. “I believe that is actually, actually particular as a result of meaning doing this, the best way the membership has completed it, it is sustainable. It reveals that the curiosity there’s for actual.
Arsenal vs Tottenham
When is kick off? Saturday 24 September, 13:30 (BST)
The place is the match being performed? The Emirates
TV channel/dwell stream? BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Web site (UK), FA Participant (worldwide)
What time does protection begin? 13:15 (BST)
Referee? Rebecca Welch
Brighton and Studying had been each on the receiving finish of heavy defeats and doubtlessly harsh refereeing selections on the opening weekend of the WSL.
Brighton suffered a 4-0 loss to Arsenal, however performed 83 minutes with 10 gamers after Emma Kullberg’s dismissal, whereas Studying misplaced to Manchester United by the identical rating line, with United’s second coming from a debatable penalty kick.
The 2 aspect’s mustered the fewest photographs of any staff through the WSL’s opening weekend – two for Studying and three for Brighton – and fewest open play sequences with 10 or extra passes – one for Studying and none for Brighton.
The pair have even have the highest two leakiest defences within the WSL this 12 months, Brighton conceding 33 targets within the league in 2022, carefully adopted by Studying’s 32. Which staff can flip their fortunes round on Sunday?
Brighton vs Studying
When is kick off? Sunday 25 September, 14:00 (BST)
The place is the match being performed? Amex Stadium
TV channel/dwell stream? FA Participant (UK & worldwide)
Referee? Lauren Impey
A 1-1 draw with West Ham in March was one of many vital video games that torpedoed Manchester United’s probabilities of ending within the WSL high three final season. The Hammers had been additionally the primary aspect outdoors of the league’s established huge three to beat and even rating a high flight purpose in opposition to United again in December 2019, so there is a component of being a bogey staff about them.
Marc Skinner’s strengthened United began in nice vogue final weekend, blowing Studying away inside 35 minutes. However West Ham additionally began properly with an honest win over an improved Everton and it definitely gained’t be a straightforward recreation for a visiting aspect with some extent to show.
“I believe they’re good,” Skinner mentioned of the Hammers.
“I’ve little doubt, now we have to be on our mettle in opposition to them. We went there final 12 months and clearly took a draw from it – horrific climate circumstances – however now we have to go there and play a really powerful staff at their house floor. We have now to be excellent to win the sport.”
West Ham vs Manchester United
When is kick off? Sunday 25 September, 15:00 (BST)
The place is the match being performed? Chigwell Building Stadium
TV channel/dwell stream? FA Participant (UK & worldwide)
Referee? Emily Heaslip
Aston Villa turned in one of many performances of the opening weekend with a shocking 4-3 victory over Manchester Metropolis. It was an thrilling, enjoyable, energetic efficiency from Carla Ward’s aspect, with their new look entrance three of Kirsty Hanson, Rachel Daly and Alisha Lehman significantly impressing.
Villa are certainly one of a cluster of sides who may find yourself wherever from final season’s end of ninth to knocking on the door of the highest 4. A visit to a Leicester aspect tipped for a relegation battle this time period shall be a very totally different check of their credentials this time period.
“It is gonna be a more durable recreation for me than Metropolis as a result of it is going to be a very totally different aspect,” mentioned Carla Ward. “Individuals will have a look at it and possibly anticipate us to go there and win the sport, and I believe that is a special sort of strain altogether.”
Leicester vs Aston Villa
When is kick off? Sunday 25 September, 15:00 (BST)
The place is the match being performed? King Energy Stadium
TV channel/dwell stream? FA Participant (UK & worldwide)
Referee? Thomas Parsons
Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis have been the 2 dominant sides in English soccer over the previous few seasons, with the pair successful all 9 of the final 9 home honours on provide. Nevertheless, each suffered shock defeats on the opening day of the season – Chelsea shedding to newly-promoted Liverpool, and Metropolis being overwhelmed by Aston Villa.
The 2 WSL heavyweights go face to face on Sunday, trying to bounce again from their shock defeats final day out.
“The response has been actually good,” Gareth Taylor mentioned of Metropolis’s defeat to Villa.
“We’re a brand new group of gamers which can be adapting to one another, and there was a component of change, however we’re comfy with that and we all know that ultimately we’ll come out the opposite aspect and be in a extremely good place.”
Chelsea vs Manchester Metropolis
When is kick off? Sunday 25 September, 16:00 (BST)
The place is the match being performed? Kingsmeadow
TV channel/dwell stream? Sky Sports activities Soccer, Sky Sports activities Premier League, Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion (UK), FA Participant (worldwide)
What time does protection begin? 15:00 (BST)
Referee? Abigail Byrne
The Merseyside derby returns to the WSL for the primary time since November 2019 on Sunday. Simply as with the highest flight’s final match up between Liverpool and Everton, this weekend’s conflict takes place at Anfield.
Everton have offered out their away part and a five-figure crowd is anticipated for the conflict.
Matt Beard is in his second spell at Liverpool so is not any stranger to a Merseyside derby, however for brand new Everton boss Brian Sorensen, the blockbuster fixture is available in simply his second recreation in cost.
“I believe the entire Metropolis is buzzing when you will have a derby and it is simply very nice to be part of,” mentioned Sorensen. “I believe the [older] ladies have been speaking to the brand new ones which can be coming in and saying: ‘that is the sport of the season’. Everyone is aware of it is a huge recreation and we’ll do all the things we will to win it.”
Liverpool vs Everton
When is kick off? Sunday 25 September, 18:45 (BST)
The place is the match being performed? Anfield
TV channel/livestream? Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion, Sky Sports activities Soccer, Sky Sports activities Premier League (UK), FA Participant (worldwide)
What time does protection begin? 18:30 (BST)
Referee? Andrew Kitchen
