Up to five Matildas Abroad could be in action when Arsenal take on West Ham on Sunday evening AEDT. Meanwhile, the Division 1 Féminine returns after a break for the French Cup, and Hayley Raso’s Real Madrid faces a stern test to remain second in the Primera División.
Read our preview of all the Matildas Abroad action below.
England
Sunday’s fixtures kick off with Manchester United hosting Brighton & Hove Albion at 11pm AEDT. United are now seven points away from the top three and will be hoping for a result to bring them closer. Meanwhile, the Seagulls are languishing in tenth place, but are still six points clear of the relegation zone. Charlie Rule has been unavailable due to injury and is expected to remain so for the next few weeks.
After their crucial victory against Bristol City last week, West Ham face a stern test as they host Arsenal on Sunday, 11.30pm AEDT. Any result for the Hammers would be an unexpected bonus in their quest to avoid relegation while Arsenal will expect to win in order to keep pace with Chelsea at the top of the ladder.
Katrina Gorry has fit instantly into West Ham’s midfield and is expected to start again on the weekend. A clean sheet for Captain Mackenzie Arnold would go a long way to helping her side to a result.
Arsenal’s attack is expected to feature Caitlin Foord, who has now scored a goal in her last three club games. Steph Catley has been appearing off the bench as of late, while Kyra Cooney-Cross will be hoping to add to her minutes this season.
Manchester City take on Leicester City on Monday, 12am AEDT. City still sit in second place, three points behind Chelsea, and will hope to keep pace with the top of the table with a win. It would be a tremendous upset if the Foxes were to take points off City, but they have been far from easy beats this season – they will back themselves to walk away from Manchester with a result.
Alanna Kennedy was an unused substitute last week for City as she continues to build up her fitness, and may feature this weekend. Mary Fowler is likely to continue her role as a late game-changer for Gareth Taylor’s side.
Courtney Nevin has the second-most minutes for the Foxes this season and is expected to start this weekend. Teammate Remy Siemsen has been available from the bench and may be called on later in the match.
Tottenham Hotspur will travel to Liverpool to take on the Reds on Monday, 1am AEDT. Both sides currently sit on 18 points and a win could see them catch Manchester United in fourth. Teagan Micah has been in and out of Liverpool’s side – but will hope to start this weekend – while Charli Grant will hope to start her second WSL game this weekend.
Finally, Chelsea will host Everton on Monday, 5.45am AEDT. The Blues are hot favourites to continue their run of wins and remain on top of the table. Clare Wheeler will be one of the players standing in their way, expected to start in midfield this weekend. Sam Kerr will be watching on the sidelines for Chelsea after rupturing her ACL earlier in the season.
You can watch every game of the WSL on Optus Sport.
France
Division 1 Féminine gets back underway this weekend after a break for the cup last time out.
PSG will travel to Fleury on Saturday, 7am AEDT after progressing from their UEFA Women’s Champions League group midweek. They have ensconced themselves in second place on the ladder and are heavy favourites to overcome midtable Fleury. Clare Hunt has been a regular at centre-back this season and is likely to play a huge role on Saturday.
Unbeaten Lyon will host fourth-placed Reims on Sunday, 12.30am AEDT. Reims have shown that they are capable of an upset this season but Lyon is unlikely to relinquish their perfect record of 13 wins from 13. Ellie Carpenter is expected to start at right-back.
Paris FC will take on LOSC Lille on Monday, 7am AEDT. While they have fallen off the top two race as of late, they will be expecting three points against 11th-place Lille to get them back on track. Sarah Hunter has been increasing her involvement in cup competitions and off the bench, and the 20-year-old will be hoping for another league appearance this weekend.
You can watch the Division 1 Féminine here.
Spain
Real Madrid will hope to bounce back in the league after their disappointing Champions League campaign, taking on Valencia on Sunday, 6.30am AEDT. They still sit second on the table and will be favourites to take the three points, but will need to make sure of it to hold off the chasing pack behind them. Hayley Raso has been involved in most games for Madrid, whether starting or off the bench and is expected to do the same this weekend.