Chelsea will begin their pursuit of a fifth consecutive Women’s Super League title at home to Tottenham on a day when four of the six opening fixtures will be played at clubs’ main stadiums but the second round of matches will generate more excitement in the context of the battle to finish top.
Manchester City host Chelsea and Manchester United play at home to Arsenal on the weekend of 7-8 October, meaning the teams who finished in the top four places last season will face one another.
The season opens on Sunday 1 October when Chelsea will play at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal take on Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, Aston Villa host Manchester United at Villa Park and Bristol City face Leicester at Ashton Gate. Bristol City, promoted from the Championship, will use Ashton Gate as their stadium this season.
Aston Villa v Manchester United, 12.30pm
Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion, 1pm
Arsenal v Liverpool, 2pm
Bristol City v Leicester City, 2pm
West Ham United v Manchester City, 3pm
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur, 5.30pm
The campaign starts in October because of the Women’s World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday in Australia and New Zealand and finishes on 20 August. The final WSL games are scheduled for 18 May, when Manchester United will be at home to Chelsea. United were runners-up last season, two points behind Chelsea.
United are scheduled to play the derby at home to City on 19 November, with the return on 24 March. Arsenal are due to host Chelsea on 10 December and to play the reverse fixture on 17 March. Arsenal go to City on the penultimate weekend.
