The Women’s Super League returns on Sunday, 1 November 2026, with six matches scheduled across England as Matchweek 8 continues.
Manchester City travel to London City Lionesses, Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium, and Chelsea face Charlton Athletic at The Valley. Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur visit Birmingham City, Brighton host Crystal Palace, and West Ham United take on Liverpool.
With teams looking to strengthen their positions ahead of the November international break, Sunday’s fixtures promise an intriguing afternoon of WSL football.
Women’s Super League preview November 1
London City Lionesses vs Manchester City
- Kick-off: 12:00 GMT (13:00 CET)
- Venue: Copperjax Community Stadium
- Where to watch: Sky Sports
London City Lionesses have established themselves among the strongest teams in the WSL this season. Eder Maestre’s side sit third after seven matches, just three points behind Manchester City, and have scored 19 league goals.
Their attacking strength has been particularly impressive. Alexia Putellas, Kadidiatou Diani and Daniëlle van de Donk have each scored three league goals, while nine different London City players have found the net this season. The Lionesses drew 2-2 against Liverpool last weekend after conceding a late equaliser, but responded with a 4-2 victory over Crystal Palace in the Subway Players Cup.
With London City scoring 19 goals and City 20, Sunday’s meeting brings together two of the league’s most productive attacks. London City’s creativity and Manchester City’s finishing quality make this an especially intriguing contest.
Manchester City return to domestic action following their midweek UEFA Women’s Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain. Andrée Jeglertz’s side entered the weekend unbeaten in their first seven WSL matches, having recently recorded victories over Arsenal and Brighton before drawing 1-1 with Manchester United.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
- Kick-off: 12:00 GMT (13:00 CET)
- Venue: Emirates Stadium
- Where to watch: Sky Sports and BWSL Youtube
Arsenal return to the Emirates after ending a five-match winless run in the WSL with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo scored as the Gunners recovered from an early deficit. Russo followed that performance with a hat-trick against Benfica in the Women’s Champions League, helping Arsenal secure a 3-0 victory.
However, Aston Villa arrive with growing confidence under interim head coach Brian Sørensen. Villa defeated Everton 3-2 last weekend, with Amalie Vangsgaard scoring twice and assisting Noelle Maritz’s opener. They also overcame Birmingham City in a midweek Subway Players Cup penalty shootout.
Villa have won their last two league matches and have shown greater attacking efficiency in recent weeks, although their overall expected-goals figures remain among the lowest in the division. Arsenal will look to build on their recent victories, but Villa’s improved form and Vangsgaard’s goalscoring threat make this a potentially difficult assignment for Renée Slegers’ side.
West Ham United vs Liverpool
- Kick-off: 14:00 GMT (15:00 CET)
- Venue: Victoria Road Stadium
- Where to watch: Barclays WSL Youtube
West Ham United and Liverpool meet in Dagenham with both teams searching for greater consistency. Rita Guarino’s West Ham suffered a 3-0 defeat against Brighton last weekend, but recovered with a Subway Players Cup victory over Charlton Athletic.
Ffion Morgan scored twice in quick succession during that cup fixture, providing a welcome boost after an injury disrupted the beginning of her season.
Liverpool also enter Sunday’s match following a frustrating period. Gareth Taylor’s side have managed just one victory in their last five league matches, although they rescued a late 2-2 draw against London City Lionesses last weekend.
Japanese midfielder Fuka Nagano has remained influential despite Liverpool’s difficulties. She has recorded 18 tackles, 45 ball recoveries and two assists this season.
Defensive mistakes have cost Liverpool points recently, while West Ham will be looking for a more convincing attacking performance after struggling against Brighton. With both sides needing to improve their results, this could be one of Sunday’s most closely contested fixtures.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace
- Kick-off: 14:00 GMT (15:00 CET)
- Venue: Broadfield Stadium
- Where to watch: Barclays WSL Youtube
Brighton welcome Crystal Palace after producing two impressive results in the space of a week. Arturo Ruiz’s team defeated West Ham 3-0 in the WSL before recording a 6-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Subway Players Cup.
Maisie Symonds, Fran Kirby and Kiko Seike scored against West Ham, with Seike taking her league tally to four goals. The Japanese international has become an important attacking outlet, while Kirby’s creativity gives Brighton another way to break down opposing defences.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are attempting to regain momentum after a difficult sequence of results. Jo Potter’s side lost 3-1 against Chelsea last weekend despite taking the lead through Molly Bartrip. They then suffered a 4-2 cup defeat against London City Lionesses.
Lexi Lloyd-Smith has scored twice in the league this season, while goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin has been called upon to make important saves. Palace will be without Fuka Tsunoda because the midfielder is on loan from Brighton and cannot face her parent club.
Brighton’s improving attacking performances make them dangerous, but Palace will be determined to respond in a fixture carrying additional rivalry significance.
Birmingham City vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Kick-off: 14:00 GMT (15:00 CET)
- Venue: St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park
- Where to watch: Barclays WSL Youtube
Birmingham City enter Sunday’s fixture with renewed confidence after securing their first WSL victory of the season. Amy Merricks’ side defeated Charlton Athletic 1-0 last weekend, with substitute Wilma Leidhammar scoring the decisive goal.
Birmingham dominated that encounter, registering 20 shots and 60% possession. They also defeated Durham 5-0 in the Subway Players Cup before losing a penalty shootout against Aston Villa in midweek.
Océane Hurtré has been one of Birmingham’s main attacking threats, while Marie Levassueur has impressed defensively, recording 24 tackles this season. However, Birmingham have faced 135 shots across their opening seven league fixtures, highlighting an area Tottenham could look to exploit.
Spurs arrive in fifth place but have lost three consecutive league matches against Chelsea, London City Lionesses and Arsenal. Martin Ho’s side were beaten 2-1 in last weekend’s North London derby, although Cathinka Tandberg opened the scoring with a header.
The Norwegian striker has recently signed a new Tottenham contract, as has Swedish defender Amanda Nildén. Birmingham will hope their recent improvement continues, while Tottenham need a response to prevent their losing streak from extending further.
- Read more: Amanda Nildén signs new Tottenham contract
- Read more: Cathinka Tandberg extends Tottenham stay
Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea
- Kick-off: 14:30 GMT (15:30 CET)
- Venue: The Valley
- Where to watch:
Charlton Athletic face one of their toughest assignments since returning to the Women’s Super League, with league leaders Chelsea visiting The Valley. Karen Hills’ side have lost their opening seven league matches and remain bottom of the table.
However, Charlton were competitive against Birmingham City last weekend, losing narrowly after Wilma Leidhammar scored in the second half. They also suffered a 2-1 defeat against West Ham in midweek cup action.
One of Charlton’s biggest challenges has been establishing sustained possession. Their average of 26.2% is the lowest in the division, making defensive organisation and counter-attacking opportunities particularly important.
Chelsea arrive unbeaten after seven WSL matches and have moved ahead of Manchester City on goal difference. Sonia Bompastor’s team came from behind to defeat Crystal Palace 3-1 last weekend, with Melvine Malard scoring twice and Sandy Baltimore converting a penalty.
The Blues followed that result with a 2-0 Champions League victory over Roma, continuing their strong run across competitions. Chelsea average 63.7% possession in the WSL, the highest figure in the league, so Charlton are likely to spend significant periods defending.
Nevertheless, Charlton’s ability to remain competitive against Birmingham offers something to build upon as they prepare to face the defending champions.
Where to Watch the WSL on Sunday
According to the official WSL UK broadcast schedule, Arsenal vs Aston Villa and London City Lionesses vs Manchester City will be shown on Sky Sports.
Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea is scheduled for BBC Two, while the remaining three matches are listed for Sky Sports and BWSL YouTube.
For viewers in the Netherlands, the supplied fixture guide lists London City Lionesses vs Manchester City on Ziggo and the other five fixtures on BWSL YouTube. Availability may vary by territory.
With six matches taking place across Sunday afternoon, supporters have plenty to look forward to as another important round of Women’s Super League action unfolds.
Women’s Super League preview November 1
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