Welcome
Hello and welcome to a guide that will explain everything you need to know about the FA Barclays Women's Super League for the 20/21 Season, (Given that it goes ahead safely with corona guidelines not altered)
In this article I will discuss:
What teams are in the league
New summer signings
Players to look out for
Predictions to win the WSL trophy
First fixtures for the opening weekend
What teams are in the league?
In the Barclays FA WSL there are 12 fully professional teams, here is a bit more about each individual team including their venues, Information on the team and their colour of the home kit.
ASTON VILLA
About
Firstly starting our list off with the newly promoted Aston Villa side who have become the latest side to take the leap from the semi-professional league of the championship to the fully professional league of the Barclays WSL.
The side wears the traditional colours of Claret and blue.
The Barclays FA WSL which makes a welcome return on September 5th will see the side face Man City in the opening fixture.
I predict the side to finish mid/lower of the table due to the huge change in leagues, It can take teams a while to adjust.
Stadium: BESCOT STADIUM
Colours: CLARET SHIRT, WHITE SHORTS, BLUE SOCKS (home)
Manager: GEMMA DAVIES
Player to watch: CHLOE ARTHUR
ARSENAL
About
Ex WSL champions of the 18/19 season are next on our list, Arsenal are a side that are constantly setting new records and achievements in English women's football. With the likes of Miedema and many other world-class renowned players, watching an Arsenal match is always great fun and entertaining. Arsenal women is a great team to see and the majority of the time will come away with the three points in the league. With manager Joe Montemurro bringing in many new signings this summer transfer window such as Steph Cately and Noelle Maritz I think we will see a new Arsenal and a change in the style of play.
I predict the gunner's side to come towards the top of the table and if not
certainly, be in the very competitive title chase. Stadium: MEADOW PARK, BOREHAMWOOD
Colours: RED SHIRT, WHITE SHORTS, RED SOCKS (home)
Manager: JOE MONTEMURRO
Player to watch: VIVIANNE MIEDEMA
BIRMINGHAM CITY
About
Next on our list is 2x WSL runners up and the winners of the 2012 FA Cup Birmingham City. This is a club rich in history and has had many talents such as now Man City's Ellen White and the footballing legend Laura Basset.
Their current team is also made up of great players with a lot of potential such as young England international keeper Hannah Hampton and young Scotland international Abbi Grant.
This season will be interesting to see how the blues cope with the selling of some of their crucial players such as Chloe Arthur and Lucy Staniford.
Last season Birmingham City finished a spot above relegation, and with the loss of some of their main players I do not see them coming any higher than lower mid-table.
Stadium: SOLIHULL MOORS FOOTBALL CLUB
Colours: BLUE SHIRT, BLUE SHORTS, BLUE SOCKS (home)
Manager: CARLA WARD
Player to watch: HANNAH HAMPTON
BRISTOL CITY
About
Bristol City women are the next team on our list, this is a side of youth with the average age in the team being 23 years old, as the Birmingham City side there are great young rising players such as England youngster Ebony Salmon who showed that she can perform against the top teams such as last seasons champions Chelsea in which she scored a goal in the fixture.
Bristol City finished two places above relegation last season and with little movement in their transfer market, I see them finishing in a similar position.
Stadium: TWERTON PARK
Colours: RED SHIRT, N/A SHORTS, N/A SOCKS (home)
Manager: TANYA OXTOBY
Player to watch: EBONY SALMON
BRIGHTON
About
Brighton the only WSL team from the south coast are next, the Seagulls had a pretty respectable season for the 19/20 period, despite finishing 9th the team always showed a strong work ethic and determinations, with a healthy mix of older and younger players which brings both experience and new talent to the field. The 20/21 is starting to look more promising for the Seagulls. During the summer transfer window, they have signed Dutch double Inessa Kaagman and Léa Cordier,
these two signings should bolster the Brighton side massively.
Stadium: PEOPLES PENSION STADIUM
Colours: BLUE AND WHITE VERTICAL STRIPE SHIRT, WHITE SHORTS, BLUE SOCKS (home)
Manager: HOPE POWELL
Player to watch: ELLIE BRAZIL
CHELSEA
About
Next up is Last seasons WSL winners Chelsea, Chelsea are a team that have been in the WSL since it was first created in 2012 and are always towards the top of the table. Last season Chelsea particularly stood out to spectators as their quality of football was honestly miles above the rest in the league (and that is coming from me, an Arsenal fan). Towards the end of the season, they brought in new winter signings Guro Reiten and Aussie superstar Sam Kerr who ended up having great partnerships with Beth England who has particularly shone last season.
During the recent summer transfer window, they have bought Bayerns captain Melanie Leupolz, Canadian youth star Jessie Fleming and Danish Dynamite Pernille Harder. This season looks to be another great season for the blues and I predict them to finish in the top 2
Stadium: KINGSMEADOW
Colours: BLUE SHIRT, BLUE SHORTS, WHITE SOCKS (home)
Manager: EMMA HAYES
Player to watch: JESSIE FLEMING
EVERTON
About
Everton are the next in our list, coming in off the back of last season Everton have already made a load of new signings which are looking very promising for the club in blue! A particular signing that stood out to me was Danish young star Nicoline Sorensen from Brondby. In the Kvindeliga she was the top goal scorer and was up there with the star players for both the league and Brondby at just the young age of 22. I really think she will also shine in the WSL and will be in contention for the top goalscorer award despite the competition. I predict that this season for Everton women will be one of the best they have had in years.
I think they will finish in 4th or 5th place. Stadium: WALTON HALL PARK
Colours: BLUE SHIRT, WHITE SHORTS, WHITE SOCKS
Manager: WILLIE KIRK
Player to watch: NICOLINE SORENSEN
MANCHESTER CITY
About
Manchester City is a side that has dominated the WSL for many years and has for the majority of them been in contention for the trophy, Manchester City is probably one of the best-funded sides and this is used to their advantage. Their summer window has brought in lots of well-known faces such as Rose Lavelle, Sam Mewis and Chloe Kelly which brings both experience and fresh talent to the team. With this season being the first for their new coach Gareth Taylor it will be interesting to see how they finish. I think Man City will finish in the top 3.
Stadium: ACADEMY STADIUM
Colours: LIGHT BLUE SHIRT, WHITE SHORTS, LIGHT BLUE SOCKS
Manager: GARETH TAYLOR
Player to watch: LAUREN HEMP
MANCHESTER UNITED
About
Now onto the other Manchester-based team commonly known as the Red Devils. From being a side that was recently promoted to the WSL I think everyone was blown back by the quality of football that Manchester United displayed in their debuting season. One of the names that particularly stood out was Lauren James, the young England international made sure that the league knew her name, If they get some new faces to the side I think it can only get better for the reds.
I predict them finishing around 4th or 5th.
Stadium: LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE
Colours: RED SHIRT, WHITE SHORTS, BLACK SOCKS
Manager: CASEY STONEY
Player to watch: LAUREN JAMES
READING
About
Reading FC is probably the side that has changed the most since the WSL was last played, with huge departures in the club such as Mayumi Pacheco, Millie Farrow, Jo Potter, Rachael Laws, Sophie Howard and Maxime Bennink and long time servers Remi Allen and Charlie Estcourt.
But with players departing they welcome ex-Arsenal champions Emma Mitchell and Danielle Carter, as well as OL Reign, forward Jess Fishlock (on loan) and Ex Chelsea player Deanna Cooper.
With these new editions, Reading are stronger opposition than previous season.
I predict them to come towards the top of mid-table.
Stadium: MADEJSKI STADIUM
Colours: BLUE AND WHITE HORIZONTAL STRIPES, WHITE SHORTS, WHITE SOCKS
Manager: KELLY CHAMBERS
Player to watch: DANIELLE CARTER
TOTTENHAM
About
Tottenham are next, the side that got promoted in the 19/20 season had a shaky start to their debuting season with friendly's against fellow WSL sides ending in large score sheets against them. Despite their uncertain start they managed to maintain their spot in the WSL and finished in 7th place. With the new season fast approaching Tottenham have recruited some big names such as Alanna Kennedy from Australia and Shelina Zadorsky from Canada who are expected to boost the team and bump them further towards the WSL title,
Despite these new editions, I think the side will finish mid-table in 7th again.
Stadium: THE HIVE STADIUM
Colours: WHITE SHIRT, NAVY BLUE SHORTS, WHITE SOCKS
Manager: KAREN HILLS AND JUAN AMOROS
Player to watch: RIANNA DEAN
WEST HAM
ABOUT
Our last team on the list is west ham united women. This is a team that was formed in 1991 and successfully qualified for the WSL in 2018. The club has become the runners up of the fa cup in 2018. With players such as Alisha Lehmann and Gilly Flaherty on their side, they are equipped with both a mixture of youth and experience. West Ham women have also acquired new talent in the form of ex-Arsenal Academy star Ruby Grant which is a huge addition to the side. I think that because West Ham have had crucial players leaving and their new players will require time to settle in, their style of play may change from last season. I think West ham with the finish around 7th or 8th in the table again but will not be in contention for relegation.
Stadium: VICTORIA ROAD
Colours: CLARET AND BLUE, WHITE SOCKS, WHITE SCOKS
Manager: MATT BEARD
Player to watch: ALISHA LEHMANN
That brings us to the end of our list!
Wondering what teams play when? Here is the list of fixture times and dates.
