By It says a lot about Chelsea’s high standards that two consecutive draws are seen as a dip in form. After a hard-fought draw against Manchester United in the WSL last weekend, they followed it up with another 1-1 result against FC Twente in the Champions League midweek.
Those results meant Chelsea failed to win back-to-back matches for the first time under Sonia Bompastor and for the first time overall since May 2024.
For Bompastor, finding her strongest starting XI remains a challenge. The squad is filled with top-quality players who would be regular starters almost anywhere else, but at Chelsea, rotation is essential to stay competitive across multiple competitions. That means even star players can expect time on the bench throughout the season.
Some may argue that Chelsea’s rotation policy can occasionally produce inconsistent results, as players don’t always get the chance to build rhythm together, something that showed in Wednesday’s draw. Last weekend, they faced an in-form Manchester United side full of confidence, and now another tough test awaits with Tottenham on Sunday(Today).
It promises to be a real test of Spurs’ strong start to the season. They were beaten 5-1 by Manchester City a few weeks ago but will see this as another chance for Robert Vilahamn’s team to measure themselves against one of the league’s best.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will be eager to return to winning ways. They have never lost at home to Tottenham in the WSL and remain unbeaten domestically under Sonia Bompastor, a record she will be determined to protect this weekend.
Can Everton finally win at Hill Dickinson Stadium?
This weekend also marks a historic occasion for Everton, as they play their first women’s match at the club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, which will now serve as their permanent home.
It will be the sixth different venue where the Toffees have hosted a WSL match, but they have yet to win their first game at any of the previous five (one draw, four defeats). They will be hoping to change that record on Sunday(Today), though it won’t be easy.
Manchester United arrive in high spirits after their first-ever Women’s Champions League victory in midweek, following a hard-earned draw against Chelsea last weekend. Their defensive record continues to impress, no side has faced fewer shots on target in the WSL this season (14, level with Liverpool), and they’ve conceded the fewest goals (two).
Man Utd celebrating their only goal in Champions League debut
United are also unbeaten away to Everton in the WSL (five wins and one draw), the joint-most visits to a single opponent without ever losing, a record they also hold against Tottenham.
Taylor seeks first WSL point of the season against former club
Gareth Taylor is still searching for his first WSL point as Liverpool manager after a difficult start to life at the club. Appointed in the summer for his experience and pedigree, results have yet to reflect his reputation.
Liverpool remain without a point this season and sit just above the relegation zone on goal difference. The departures of key players such as Taylor Hinds and Olivia Smith have been hard to overcome, while the squad continues to adapt to a new manager and system.
This weekend also marks Taylor’s first meeting with his former club, Manchester City, since leaving in the summer. Under new head coach Andrée Jeglertz, City have found better balance and consistency, and his influence is clearly paying off.
City sit just one point behind leaders Chelsea, who handed them their only defeat of the season so far, and they made a strong statement with a dominant win over Arsenal last weekend.
Facing one of the league’s most in-form teams makes Liverpool’s task a tough one, but Taylor will be determined to see his side finally get off the mark, a storyline that practically writes itself.
Arsenal in need of a confidence-boosting win
Five games into the WSL season, Arsenal already find themselves five points behind leaders Chelsea, a gap that could prove difficult to close after two draws and a defeat in their last three league matches.
Last weekend’s loss to title rivals Manchester City was especially damaging, and things went from bad to worse with a 2-1 defeat to Lyon in their Women’s Champions League opener on Tuesday.
Arsenal now need to regain momentum and confidence. Their attack has looked predictable at times, and missed chances have cost them in key moments. Defensively, conceding late goals in their last two league games is another worrying trend.
Brighton, meanwhile, have made an encouraging start to the season but will be without Arsenal loanees Michelle Agyemang and Rosa Kafaji. Even so, this could be a good opportunity for the Seagulls to spring a surprise and claim a statement win against one of the league’s biggest sides.
