Women's Super League preview & predictions: Gameweek 16

06 March 2021 15:00

We have a full WSL fixture list for the first time in over a month this weekend, with every top flight side poised to be in action across Sunday and Monday.

There are six top flight matches to look forward to with important implications at either end of the WSL table.

Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about every fixture this weekend.


Sunday 7 March

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

What time is kickoff? 12:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Leigh Sports Village
TV Channel/live stream? The FA Player

Manchester United will be attempting to rediscover their pre-Christmas form when they face Aston Villa in Sunday's early kickoff, having suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time this season.

Casey Stoney's side's losses to Manchester City and Reading means their surprise title challenge has become more of a Champions League battle now - and they face their race for the top three with a selection of injury problems, December's WSL Player of the Month Leah Galton the latest casualty.

United take on a Villa outfit in the thick of a relegation scrap, with the Villans demonstrating their stubborn side during the first half of last weekend's clash with Arsenal - before ultimately succumbing to a 4-0 loss. Mana Iwabuchi has already proved a big hit following her January arrival, and her creativity could be key if Villa are to cause an upset.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa


Birmingham vs Arsenal

What time is kickoff? 14:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? St George's Park
TV Channel/live stream? The FA Player

Birmingham are on the hunt for their first league win since November's second city derby victory as they face an Arsenal side who broke a winning duck of their own last time out.

The Gunners found their groove again in the second half of last weekend's 4-0 win over Aston Villa, ending their run of three games without a victory to leave them six points off the Champions League spots with a game in hand.

Birmingham will have Ruby Mace available for the fixture, despite the teenager currently dual registered with Arsenal, while Scotland international Christie Murray will return to the squad following an injury layoff.

Prediction: Birmingham 1-3 Arsenal


Brighton vs Tottenham

What time is kickoff? 14:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? The People's Pension Stadium
TV Channel/live stream? The FA Player

Having endured a torrid run of form through December and January, Brighton go into Sunday's clash with Tottenham off the back of two straight victories.

The Seagulls ended Chelsea's 33-game unbeaten streak with a shock 2-1 victory, and followed this up with a win over West Ham. Their February form resulted in attacking midfielder Aileen Whelan being nominated for the WSL Player of the Month award and Hope Powell shortlisted for the Manager of the Month accolade.

Tottenham have been the exact opposite, and after three successive victories in Reehan Skinner's first three games in charge, they travel to the south coast off the back of a trio of defeats. A win for Spurs would see them leapfrog Sunday's opponents into seventh in the league.

Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Tottenham


Manchester City vs Everton

Chloe Kelly and Izzy Christiansen will both face their former sides on Sunday | Pool/Getty Images

What time is kickoff? 14:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? The Academy Stadium
TV Channel/live stream? The FA Player

The WSL's form side Manchester City will look to continue their title assault against an Everton team they have already beaten three times in three separate competitions this season.

The Citizens have beaten the Toffees in the league, Continental Cup group stages and FA Cup final this term, and have won nine of their previous nine meetings against the Merseyside outfit. Gareth Taylor may opt to rotate his squad, having played in the Champions League in midweek and with a trip to Fiorentina for the second leg taking place on Thursday.

Everton recorded just their second win 10 league matches with a hard fought 3-2 victory over Tottenham last time out, but they will be without the match winner and February Player of the Month nominee Jill Scott, who is ineligible to face her parent club.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Everton


West Ham vs Chelsea

What time is kickoff? 15:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? The Chigwell Construction Stadium
TV Channel/live stream? The FA Player

West Ham are fighting for their lives at the basement of the WSL and could find themselves bottom of the league come Monday evening if results don't go their way. There would be no better time for them to record their first ever victory over Chelsea - and first league win under Olli Harder following his appointment in December.

The Hammers have lost six of their seven previous meetings with their London rivals, and face a Chelsea side who have scored eight without reply since they saw their unbeaten streak ended by Brighton in February.

The Blues may be forced to rotate their squad following their tireless performance against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening and with the second leg in Monza taking place just three days after Sunday's clash with West Ham.

Prediction: West Ham 0-3 Chelsea


Monday 8 March

Bristol City vs Reading

What time is kickoff? 20:15 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Ashton Gate
TV Channel/live stream? BT Sport 3 (UK)

Bristol City will be attempting to reignite their recent form and potentially pull themselves out of the drop zone as they face a Reading side who have lost just one of their last six.

The Robins have come into a bit of form since the temporary appointment of Matt Beard, picking up their first league victory of the season and booking their place in the Continental Cup final. Key to Bristol this season has been forward Ebony Salmon, who made her senior England debut during the international break. However, Beard's side will be without defender Kiera Skeels, who is on loan from Reading.

Like the Robins, Sunday's fixture will be Reading's first outing since the international break. The Royals have taken points off Arsenal and beaten Manchester United since the turn of the year, and February's form saw boss Kelly Chambers and forward Tash Harding nominated for the Manager and Player of the Month awards.

Prediction: Bristol City 1-1 Reading


Source: 90min