While everyone’s focus is on Euro 2022 as England continue to instil pride and belief in the nation, it is worth noting that the fixture schedule for the 2022-23 Barclays Women’s Super League have just landed.
Reigning champions Chelsea get their second title defence up and running with a London derby as they host West Ham United at Kingsmeadow. It may still be the off period, but with the fixtures now out in the open, Blues boss Emma Hayes can really start to prepare for next season which is shaping up to be a fierce contest in the race for the title.
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Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City welcome last season’s runners-up Arsenal under Jonas Eidevall which will be the most interesting fixture of the opening day. Both sides are expected to be battling against Chelsea for the title this season and while Arsenal were the closest to the Blues last term, after a shaky start City were looking strong and dangerous in the latter stages of the campaign as they pipped rivals Manchester United to the third Champions League spot.
As for United, they travel to Tottenham Hotspur in what will be an interesting match-up between the two sides on the cusp of the top three. For Manchester United’s new signing Rachel Williams, she will get a quick return to her former employers having sealed a move to the Red Devils on Tuesday - reuniting with her former Birmingham City boss Marc Skinner.
An away trip to Reading awaits newly-promoted Liverpool under Matt Beard, who will no doubt be hoping that his side can quickly get up to speed and compete with the elite sides of the division.
The other major fixtures of interest across the season includes last season’s title challenger battles between Chelsea and Arsenal. Unlike last year where their first meeting was on the opening day, they will wait until January where the Gunners will have the home advantage before Chelsea host the second meeting in May. The first Manchester derby takes place in December, with Manchester City at home and Manchester United will host the reverse fixture in May.
WSL opening day fixtures:
Brighton vs Aston Villa
Chelsea vs West Ham United
Everton vs Leicester City
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Reading vs Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United
These matches will be played across the weekend beginning 10 September.
Access the full fixture list here.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
