The Women’s Super League returns this weekend following the international break, and here SheKicks takes a look at five things to watch out for in the WSL this weekend, including whether West Ham and Liverpool can finally score their first points.
Five things to look out for in the WSL: Will Liverpool and West Ham score their first WSL points?
Liverpool and West Ham are on track for unwanted history in the WSL, with both sides remaining pointless and bottom of the division.
West Ham have lost all six of their opening games, while Liverpool have lost five – after their match with Aston Villa was postponed.
Bristol City hold the worst record over a 22-game WSL season, after taking just six points in the 2023-24 season. West Ham and Liverpool are currently on course to beat Bristol’s record.
West Ham’s issues stem from their leaky defence – 17 goals conceded in six games – and their failure to take their chances.
Rehanne Skinner’s side are the biggest underachievers in the WSL, scoring just two goals, despite having an xG (expected goals) figure of 6.1.
Liverpool have conceded seven goals fewer than West Ham but are struggling to create chances. Only Leicester (1.7) create fewer chances than Liverpool (1.8) in the WSL.
West Ham and Liverpool face difficult away trips to Manchester City and Tottenham this weekend. Both sides will go into their matches as heavy underdogs, but Liverpool might fancy their chances more than West Ham.
Given the difficulty of their respective matches, both sides would snap up at the opportunity of taking a point on the road this weekend.
How will Brighton cope without Michelle Agyemang?
Brighton have been rocked by the news that Michelle Agyemang will be out for the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured ACL.
Agyemang, who is on loan from Arsenal, is a massive loss for Brighton, who are hoping to build on their fifth-place finish in the WSL last season.
Brighton’s attacking output has been underwhelming this season, with just six goals. However, Brighton were hoping for better form in front of goal after Agyemang scored her first goal of the campaign against Everton at the end of September.
The Seagulls have conceded just five goals this term, so they clearly have a capable defensive team, with summer signing Chiamaka Nnadozie making a huge impression in goal.
With Agyemang out for the remainder of the season, Brighton will need players like Carla Camacho to step up in her absence.
More impetus will be put on Fran Kirby, who has scored just one goal so far this term. Kiko Seike, who plays on the right wing, has shown signs of consistency as a goalscorer.
Brighton’s attackers lack the attributes that Agyemang possesses and there is a fear that her injury could massively hinder their progress this season.
Will Alessia Russo end her WSL scoring drought?
Arsenal striker Alessia Russo has performed well so far this season, but she has been quiet on the goalscoring front in the Women’s Super League.
Other than a brace against West Ham on September 12th, Russo has gone without a goal in the rest of Arsenal’s games so far in the top-flight.
She failed to score or assist in Arsenal’s last four games against both Manchester clubs, Aston Villa and Brighton. Russo was particularly quiet in the first-half of their 3-2 defeat to Manchester City.
Russo also failed to score in England’s two friendlies, but did find the net in their Champions League clashes with Lyon and Benfica.
After winning the Champions League, Arsenal hoped this would be the season they returned to the top of the WSL.
Arsenal have failed to win three of their opening six games this season, and although the responsibility doesn’t solely fall on Russo’s shoulders, Renee Slegers will be keen to get more goals out of the player who won the Golden Boot last season.
Russo has had 16 shots in the WSL this season, with just five on target. However, she is exceeding her xG of 1.8, which shows she is not getting enough chances of real quality.
This compares with Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, where the stats suggest she should start in England’s attack. Beever-Jones has four goals and has had six of 13 shots hit the target.
Can the London City Lionesses stun Chelsea in the WSL?
Newly promoted London City Lionesses have been one of the success stories of the WSL this season, sitting in sixth place thanks to wins over Everton, Liverpool and West Ham.
The Lionesses next face a Chelsea side who have not lost in the WSL since a 4-3 loss to Liverpool in May 2024.
Chelsea again looks like the team to beat and are keen to extend their 31-game unbeaten streak.
London City are being given little hope after heavy defeats to Arsenal and both Manchester clubs already this season.
However, Jocelyn Precheur’s side possesses a lot of quality and they will be out to stun Chelsea. London City will look to frustrate and contain Chelsea, so Sonia Bompastor’s side might have to be patient in front of goal.
Chelsea fans will be waiting to see whether Beever-Jones will be fit for the game after suffering a minor knock against Australia. Sam Kerr, meanwhile, returned to action for the Matildas, but Bompastor has made it clear that she doesn’t want to rush the Australian back into the starting fold following her ACL injury.
Will Melvine Malard add to her WSL goals?
Melvine Malard scored just four goals in the WSL during the entirety of the 2024-25 season.
So it is a surprise that she tops the WSL scoring charts with five goals in her first six games this campaign.
The 25-year-old has been highly efficient in front of goal, with her five goals coming from an xG of 3.6.
She is also among the top forwards in the league when it comes to hitting the target (10 shots on target out of 17), aerial duels and defensive interceptions.
Malard is also coming off a goal for France against Germany in the Nations League semi-final second-leg.
Manchester United face a tricky test against Brighton, who have been one of the most defensively solid teams in the league.
However, with the likes of Malard and other in-form players like Jess Park, United will fancy their chances of grabbing their fifth win of the WSL campaign.
WSL weekend schedule
- Chelsea vs London City Lionesses (Saturday, November 1st – 12pm)
- Manchester City vs West Ham (Saturday, November 1st – 12pm)
- Aston Villa vs Everton (Sunday, November 2nd – 12pm)
- Brighton vs Manchester United (Sunday, November 2nd – 12pm)
- Leicester City vs Arsenal (Sunday, November 2nd – 12pm)
- Tottenham v Liverpool (Sunday, November 2nd – 12pm)
