Women's Super League

To mark the start of the new Women's Super League season, BBC Radio London have launched a new podcast celebrating women’s football in the capital.

'The London Women’s Football Show' dives deep into the WSL, Championship, and the very fabric of the women's football pyramid.

The debut episode unfolds with insights from stars like Lucy Bronze and Lotte Wubben-Moy, with conversation, and fan voices.

Listen here.

Some of our Women's Super League pundits from BBC Sport and BBC Radio 5 Live have given their predictions for the 2024-25 campaign.

Of the six pundits who gave us their picks, Manchester City are the favourites to win the title this season and stop Chelsea from lifting the trophy for a sixth successive season.

Sonia Bompastor's side are still well-backed for the title though, with only Ellen White thinking Arsenal can do the business.

Four pundits tipped newly-promoted Crystal Palace to go straight back down to the Championship again.

You can read Emma Sanders' WSL predictions here and hear more from her on The Football News Show in the clip below.

Sonia Bompastor has been telling BBC Radio 5 live about brining her winning mentality to Chelsea.

Emma Hayes' replacement has a "clear vision" of guiding the club to as many trophies as possible.

Listen as the Women's Football Weekly podcast previews the new WSL season on BBC Sounds

With tonight's return of the Women's Super League, the Football News Show have done a special episode previewing the new era for the top flight.

It's been a summer of big change with five new managers in the league, new faces coming in, old faces returning and an exciting opening round of fixtures. So, can seven-time champions Chelsea make it eight? Or will Manchester City and Arsenal knock them off their perch?

Betty Glover is joined in the studio by BBC Sport women’s football news reporter Emma Sanders to preview the 2024-25 campaign, with former Aston Villa boss Carla Ward also making an appearance.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Matt Beard says their ambition this season is to "break into the top three" in the Women's Super League.

The Reds finished fourth last season, nine points off third-placed Arsenal.

The club had a quiet transfer window in the summer but they signed Canada international Olivia Smith for a club record £210,000.

"We want to do as well as we can, we want to win trophies, we want to complete," Beard said.

"It's tough to break into that top three, the money they're spending. Even some of the other clubs, the money that is being spent - it has been a mad window."

Last season, Liverpool claimed impressive victories over eventual champions Chelsea, as well as Arsenal.

"Did we overachieve last year? People may say yes. We finished where we did on merit, we worked extremely hard on the training pitch, we worked incredibly hard in the games and when we had a negative result we went on a good run after," Beard said.

"We’ve got a really good base and foundation. It’s not always about money and I think we proved that last year."

He added: "Our ambition is to break into that top three like anyone else.

"On our day we can beat anyone. We’ve proved that over the last two years."

Liverpool boss Matt Beard has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Leicester (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He said getting used to their new stadium at St Helens is one of the "biggest challenges" this season because Prenton Park had been a "fortress" for Liverpool.

• The Reds had a "dress rehearsal" against Everton on Sunday to "familiarise" themselves with the new stadium, which Beard called a "fantastic facility".

• Faye Kirby and Grace Fisk are unavailable to face Leicester.

• Beard said he was "pleased" with Liverpool's business in the transfer window, adding "I didn't think we needed a lot of change".

• On the season ahead, he said: "We want to do as well as we can, we want to win trophies, we want to compete".

• Speaking about summer signing Olivia Smith, Beard said: "It is going to take her time to find her feet because it is a tough league, but boy can the girl finish. Right foot, left foot – she’s strong, quick, powerful".

• Asked about the influx of new managers into the WSL, the Liverpool boss joked he's "not offering them any advice, that’s for sure".

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor said naming defender Alex Greenwood as their new club captain was a "fairly easy" decision.

Greenwood, who joined City from Lyon in 2020, takes the armband on a permanent basis following the retirement of former captain Steph Houghton.

Taylor said that England defender Greenwood, 31, is the "main figure that we really want to embody everything that we do at City".

"You always look for that club captain to embody everything that you're about and Alex is cetainly that," Taylor said in his pre-match news conference before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Arsenal (12:30 BST kick-off).

"She had big shoes to fill with Steph and taking over in that role, but what I would add is that Alex is a big driver of the way we do things on and off the pitch which is really important as well as obviously being a top player."

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Gareth has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Arsenal (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He said midfielder Jill Roord is "very close" to returning from her anterior cruciate ligament injury. "I think you'll certainly see in the next week to 10 days in this cluster of games, you'll start to see Jill really close," he added.

• Taylor said Arsenal losing to Hacken in Women's Champions League qualifying won't have any impact on the game and there won't be "any change in the purpose of what both teams want to do on Sunday".

• Vivianne Miedema will get an "outstanding ovation" against her former club Arsenal and "certainly deserves it".

• Miedema scoring in the 5-0 win against Paris FC will "do a lot confidence wise" and Taylor is "really happy with her, she brings a lot to the team."

• City "don't hold any grudges" despite losing to Arsenal near the end of last season. Doing so can lead to "frustration that goes over the line and doesn’t show a true reflection of yourselves."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall wishes Vivianne Miedema "the best" as she starts a new season with Manchester City after leaving the Gunners.

Miedema spent seven years with Arsenal, grabbing 125 goals in 172 appearances.

The 28-year-old signed for City in July after Arsenal decided not to renew her contract.

Miedema scored on her debut for Gareth Taylor's side in the Women's Champions League on Wednesday and could feature against her former on Sunday as Arsenal host City at Emirates Stadium for their first game of the new Women's Super League season.

"Viv has such a great history in the club. We wish her the best, I wish her the best. " Eidevall said.

"I truly hope she has a really successful season because she deserves that.

"One of the big problems for us letting her go is now she plays for a competitor which we know is a very strong opponent against us and we need to focus on our part during the game."

City finished second in the WSL last season, five points above Arsenal.

"With Viv it works both ways. Yes, we know a lot about her but she also knows a lot about us so it's going to be who applies that knowledge best."

Arsenal boss Jonas has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Manchester City (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Leah Williamson is available for Sunday, but Steph Catley and Lina Hurtig are out of contention through injury.

• He is "so happy" for Amanda Illestedt about the birth of her daughter Mila, adding there is a plan in place for the Sweden international to return to play.

• Eidevall said playing Manchester City at Emirates Stadium is a "great way to start the season".

• He added it is a "privilege" to make the Emirates the home of Arsenal women.

• On facing former Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema, he said it "we know a lot about her, but she also knows a lot about us so it's going to be who applies that knowledge best".

• Eidevall said delivering a major trophy this season is the "end-product goal" for Arsenal, but that his team have to be "focused on the daily tasks".

• "There is no way" he will be distracted by thoughts of the second-leg of their Champions League qualifier against BK Hacken on Thursday.

• The 1-0 defeat by Hacken was a "step backwards" according to the Gunners boss.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss Rehanne Skinner says there is "more pressure" on her side heading into the new Women's Super League season.

The Hammers won just three games last season and finished 11th.

"We have to go into this season with no excuses and we’ve got to want to fight for everything, we need to be more consistent with what we deliver," Skinner said.

"There is a bit more pressure around us doing well because we want to improve on last year.

"But we also want to accept, off the back of last year, everybody will be writing us off as the underdogs and that’s going on already."

West Ham have lost a core group of players in the summer transfer window, but Skinner insists her team have a "fantastic togetherness and real desire to be better than we were last year".

"Everybody that has come into the team has been in teams where they've had to fight for something and work really hard. The attitudes of the players have gone up a notch," Skinner added.

"They are all on the same page as to what needs to happen this year and that brings a new energy."

West Ham boss Rehanne Skinner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Women's Super League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford (kick-off 12:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from her news conference:

• Jess Ziu is in "good spirits" after having surgery on her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

• Defender Kirsty Smith is unavailable for selection, while Katrina Gorry will be assessed after having a viral infection earlier in the week.

• There are also a few players who have come in late that are not "90-minute ready".

• On Gorry becoming the new club captain, Skinner said: "Her influence in and around the team and how approachable she is - she has been a real positive asset to the team."

• Facing Manchester United at Old Trafford is "a great way to the start the season" and a "great opportunity" for new players "to see what the WSL is about".

• Skinner said West Ham go into the start of the season "with no excuses" despite thinking "everybody will be writing us off as the underdogs".

• On recent ACL injuries, she said the footballing calendar is something "that hasn't been addressed properly".

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool midfielder Sofie Lundgaard has committed her future to the club by signing a new contract.

The 22-year-old Denmark international has made 31 Reds appearances since arriving from Fortuna Hjorring in January 2023.

After putting pen to paper, she said: "I'm really happy and proud to extend my contract with Liverpool.

"I think it's a dream come true again and I really enjoy being here. It was really a no-brainer for me."

Liverpool begin their Women's Super League campaign against Leicester on Sunday (kick-off 14:00 BST)

Image source, Getty Images

Everton boss Brian Sorensen says the club have analysed last season's injury crisis to avoid the same problem in their 2024-25 Women's Super League campaign.

Following last season's festive period, several of Everton's key players were sidelined because of injury.

Despite the long list of injuries, Sorensen's side managed to finish eighth in the WSL.

"That's something we looked at and we also analysed where a lot of the injuries came from," Sorensen said when asked about last season's injury crisis.

"I think going away with the national team because it was Nations League, so really tough games, and our league is extremely tough.

"So prepare them better and a better dialogue with the national teams because I think 60-70% of the injuries we got were in and around national team periods. We hopefully have learned from that and manage better."

Sorensen added that there were also "a lot of freak accidents" that he hoped his players could avoid this year.

"We just have to see if we can help keep our players healthy," he said.

Everton boss Brian Sorensen has been speaking to the media before their opening Women's Super League game against Brighton on Saturday (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Everton had a "good, but long" pre-season "without any injuries".

• On facing Manchester United and Arsenal in their first two games of the season, Sorensen said he wants to "start as well as possible".

• He has been watching footage of Melbourne City to prepare for Brighton under new boss Dario Vidosic, who coached the Australian team before moving to the WSL.

• Sorensen has a "good idea" of how he wants to play against the Seagulls.

• On avoiding an injury crisis like last season, he said the club needed to prepare their players better for international duty and have a better dialogue with national teams.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton have signed goalkeeper Rylee Foster on a short-term contract until January 2025.

The 26-year-old, who has represented Canada at youth level, has previously played in the Women's Super League with Liverpool.

She returns to Merseyside after spending last season in Australia with Wellington Pheonix, where she made 19 appearances.

The club have also brought in midfielder Lauren Thomas on a short-term contract.

The 24-year-old spent five seasons with Blackburn in the Championship and made 24 appearances last season.

Everton begin their 2024-25 WSL campaign away at Brighton on Saturday (kick-off 12:30 BST).

New Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor says she is feeling "very happy" about her start to life at Chelsea.

The Frenchwoman, 44, has taken over at the Blues following the departure of Emma Hayes after 12 years at the club.

Bompastor, who won the Women's Champions League three times as manager of Lyon, will be in the Chelsea dugout as they being their Women's Super League title defence at home to Aston Villa on Friday.

Image source, Getty Images

Laura Kaminski says her newly-promoted Crystal Palace side must be prepared to face "world class players" in the Women's Super League.

Kaminski wants Palace to keep the attacking approach that helped win them the Championship last season, while also adapting to the step-up to the WSL.

"There are elements of that style that I want to take and carry forward into the WSL, but equally we know things are going to be more challenging, more difficult," Kaminski said.

"We've got to be resilient in terms of dealing with those challenges."

Palace scored 55 goals in 22 league matches last season - 16 more than the next best team.

"The differences in the leagues are huge and last year we scored a phenomenal amount of goals and set quite a few records for the club in terms of the attacking football and style that we had," Kaminski added.

"I never want to lose that flair. I never want to lose elements of that style, but we know that the opponent is stronger.

"We've got to blend that into a different style of play along with a new mix of players. We still want to play exciting football but be ready for the level that is in front of us.

"We know the league has world class players. We need to be prepared for what that will bring to the table."