The 2026/27 Women’s Super League continues this weekend with seven matches across Saturday and Sunday, headlined by Chelsea against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City are the only team to have won all three of their opening league matches and will look to maintain that record away at Charlton Athletic. Elsewhere, Liverpool and Everton meet in the Merseyside derby, while Manchester United host West Ham United. Here is what to look out for in our WSL Matchday 4 preview.
WSL Matchday 4 fixtures
| Date | Time (UK) | Fixture |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 26 September | 1:30pm | Charlton Athletic vs Manchester City |
| Saturday 26 September | 5:00pm | London City Lionesses vs Brighton |
| Sunday 27 September | 1:00pm | Manchester United vs West Ham United |
| Sunday 27 September | 2:00pm | Birmingham City vs Crystal Palace |
| Sunday 27 September | 2:00pm | Liverpool vs Everton |
| Sunday 27 September | 2:00pm | Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa |
| Sunday 27 September | 4:30pm | Chelsea vs Arsenal |
WSL Matchday 4 preview
Manchester City take perfect record to Charlton
Manchester City are setting the early pace after winning each of their opening three WSL matches.
Their latest victory came against Liverpool, although City had to work for it. They twice came from behind before late goals secured a 4-2 win, with Lauren Hemp scoring a brace and Khadija Shaw also finding the net.
Charlton have had a much more difficult start following promotion and are still searching for their first points of the season.
City therefore enter Saturday’s game as clear favourites, but Andrée Jeglertz has stressed that his side cannot underestimate the newly promoted team. Niamh Charles could also be available to make her City debut.
London City host Brighton
London City Lionesses welcome Brighton in Saturday’s second game as their heavily strengthened squad continues to settle into the new season.
Brighton come into the match after a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last weekend and were then impressive in the Subway Players Cup, beating Charlton 4-0 on Wednesday.
Olaug Tvedten scored twice in that cup victory and will be one of the players London City need to contain.
Manchester United look for a response against West Ham
Manchester United and West Ham meet on Sunday after very different results in the Subway Players Cup. United swept Sheffield United aside 10-1 on Wednesday, with Mared Griffiths scoring a hat-trick and both Rebeca Bernal and Lea Schüller scoring twice.
That result provided a welcome boost after United’s difficult start in the WSL. West Ham also enjoyed a positive cup result, beating Tottenham on penalties following a goalless draw. Rita Guarino’s side created several good opportunities during the 90 minutes, with Ebony Salmon and Kelly Gago both going close.
Birmingham and Palace search for points
Birmingham City host Crystal Palace in a meeting between two teams looking to build momentum early in the campaign.
Palace come into the weekend after beating Watford 1-0 in the Players Cup, with substitute Shannon O’Brien scoring the winner late on.
Birmingham, meanwhile, lost 2-0 to Everton in their cup opener and will be looking for a response at home.
Merseyside derby at Anfield
Liverpool and Everton meet at Anfield in one of Sunday’s standout fixtures. Everton have started the season strongly and continued that form with a 2-0 Players Cup victory over Birmingham City on Wednesday. Zara Kramzar and Yuka Momiki scored the goals as Everton recorded a third consecutive victory without conceding.
Liverpool also won in midweek, coming from 2-1 down to beat Sunderland 4-2. Marie Höbinger scored twice, with Zara Shaw and Natalia Ramos also on target.
With both sides arriving after cup victories, the first Merseyside derby of the WSL season should provide an interesting test of Everton’s impressive start.
Tottenham face Aston Villa
Tottenham return to league action against Aston Villa after losing the extra point to West Ham in Wednesday’s Players Cup penalty shootout.
Villa had a more straightforward midweek evening, beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from substitutes Maya Hijikata and Chasity Grant.
Natalia Arroyo was able to rotate heavily for that match, making six changes following last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Tottenham have already shown their attacking threat this season, including a 3-1 opening-day victory over West Ham, making this another interesting test for Villa.
Chelsea and Arsenal meet at Stamford Bridge
The biggest fixture of the weekend comes last as Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. Both teams remain unbeaten in the WSL, but neither has been completely convincing during the opening weeks of the campaign. Chelsea followed their 1-1 opening-day draw with Aston Villa by beating Manchester United 5-0 and Birmingham City 2-0.
Arsenal’s attacking performances have been a greater concern. They have scored only once in each of their opening three WSL matches, and those problems continued in Europe on Tuesday.
The Gunners dominated HB Køge but struggled badly in front of goal and needed a stoppage-time Mariona Caldentey penalty to secure a 1-0 Champions League victory.
Chelsea also had a difficult European night, edging Austria Wien 1-0 through Wieke Kaptein’s early goal. Keira Walsh was forced off after 20 minutes, making her availability one of the key questions ahead of Sunday’s derby.
With Manchester City already setting the early pace, dropping points at Stamford Bridge could leave either Chelsea or Arsenal with ground to make up surprisingly early in the season.
A big weekend at both ends of the table
Matchday 4 could begin to give the WSL table some shape.
Manchester City have the opportunity to extend their perfect start, while Chelsea and Arsenal will take points from one another in London. Everton can continue their excellent opening to the campaign in the Merseyside derby, while several teams further down the table have an opportunity to pick up important early-season points.
With seven matches spread across two days, there is plenty at stake before the league pauses again for another round of Subway Players Cup fixtures.
WSL Matchday 4 preview
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