After an action-packed opening weekend in the WSL, attention has already shifted to the next round of matches.
Chelsea, Manchester UnitedBrighton and Tottenham were among the teams to start their campaigns with a win, while Manchester City, arsenalLiverpool and Leicester City had to settle for a point each. Elsewhere, West Ham, Everton, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace will be hoping to turn their fortunes around next time after defeats on the opening day.
The 2024/25 season is underway with Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea back in action on Friday night against newly promoted Palace. Manchester United’s visit to Everton, as well as Brighton’s trip to Manchester City, are some of the remaining fixtures.
Here’s how 90 minutes Gameweek 2 projects al WSL to deploy
Chelsea didn’t necessarily look comfortable against Villa last time out as they managed a nervy 1-0 win at Kingsmeadow. Robert de Pauw’s side could have scored right at the death to equalise, so it wasn’t the flowing, goal-scoring Blues we’re so used to.
That said, Palace were comfortably beaten in their first game against Tottenham last week. The visit of Chelsea probably isn’t what Laura Kaminski’s side need to kick-start their campaign.
It’s hard to see anything other than a comfortable Chelsea win on Friday night. At some point they’ll get going, and a matchup against a newly promoted team is the perfect time to do so.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-5 Chelsea
Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City avoided opening-day defeat to Arsenal last weekend as they earned a 2-2 draw at the Emirates. Considering the Gunners emerged victorious in both meetings between the two teams last season, it was a fair result for the Cityzens.
However, Brighton’s opening day hero against Everton, in which they secured a comfortable 4-0 win, makes them a tough test for City this weekend. Dario Vidosic’s side completed some fantastic summer transfer business, including the signings of Nikita Parris and Fran Kirby, and they have rightly been included as a surprise package this season.
The Seagulls have a significant goal threat so it’s hard to see them not scoring, but City should have enough to see them through and secure all three points.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Brighton
It’s fair to say it’s been a tough start to the new season for Everton and Brian Sorensen. Not only did they succumb to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton in their opening game, but they also lost midfielder Aurora Galli to an ACL injury in the latter stages of that game.
With injuries already on the rise, with Melissa Lawley, Emily Ramsey and Karen Holmgaard also sidelined, they face an even tougher task against Manchester United next time out. Although the Red Devils lacked consistency at times last season, they started the new campaign in impressive fashion with a 3-0 triumph over West Ham.
Given Everton’s early struggles, this should be a straightforward win for United.
Prediction: Everton 0-3 Manchester United
West Ham faced a difficult afternoon last time out against United at Old Trafford, but this time they host Liverpool at home. The Reds were the surprise package last season as they finished top of the table, but Matt Beard will have been disappointed with his side’s 1-1 draw against Leicester City in their first game of the new season.
If the Hammers are to avoid finding themselves in a relegation battle that many are predicting, Rehanne Skinner will need his side to win, or at least pick up points, in these games this term. It’s a tough but much-needed early test for the London club.
It’s likely to be a close and closely contested game on Sunday, but Liverpool should have enough to get over the line.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Liverpool
Both Leicester City and Arsenal drew their respective matchday 1 matches last weekend. It’s still unclear how competitive the Foxes will be this season under new manager Amandine, but picking up points against Arsenal this early could be too much trouble.
Although they looked a little vulnerable defensively at times against City, Jonas Eidevall has so much attacking talent at his disposal that it’s hard not to see them dismantling teams that can finish in the bottom half of the table.
The Foxes may score, but Arsenal will take their chances and claim a comfortable win in the end.
Prediction: Leicester City 1-4 Arsenal
Although not a match between two top teams, this is definitely the match of the weekend. It is also the most difficult to predict.
Villa caused Chelsea all sorts of problems on the opening day, although they eventually went down in a narrow 1-0 defeat. Tottenham, on the other hand, secured victory against Palace in their first match.
De Pauw and Robert Vilahamn will back their teams to challenge for the top five this season, and with little to separate these two so soon, the points are likely to be shared at Villa Park this weekend.
