The WSL returns this weekend, with CommBank Matildas in action across every single game on the weekend. Meanwhile a huge clash awaits Winonah Heatley as her side look to maintain their perfect start in the Danish league.
Read our preview of all of the Matildas Abroad action below.
England
The defending champions Chelsea kick off their league title defence against Aston Villa on Saturday, 4am AEST. The Blues will go into the match as favourites but with attacking threats such as 2022/23 golden boot Rachel Daly, Villa will back themselves to get their season off to the perfect start. Sam Kerr is unavailable for Chelsea as she continues her rehabilitation from her ACL injury.
Manchester United host West Ham on Saturday, 9pm AEST. United will hope for a strong season to put them back into contention for European places, while the Hammers need a decisive start to put last season’s woes of a relegation battle behind them. Katrina Gorry has been awarded the captain’s armband for the club in 2024/25 and will be available to lead her team out on Saturday.
Brighton & Hove Albion host Everton on Saturday, 9.30pm AEST. Both sides will see this as an important three points as they seek to rise above mid-table obscurity this season. Charlie Rule signed a new contract for the Seagulls in August and will be available for game one under new coach Dario Vidosic after missing the latter part of last season through injury. Meanwhile, Clare Wheeler was ever-present in Everton’s midfield last season and will look to reprise her role on the weekend.
The biggest game of the round will come around on Sunday, as Arsenal take on Manchester City at 9.30pm AEST. Last season’s third against second will be a match packed with intrigue, not least as it will be the first time that Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema lines up for City against her former club.
There will be five CommBank Matildas involved in the blockbuster clash. Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross will be available for Arsenal, with Steph Catley under a small injury cloud after being unavailable midweek for their UWCL clash. Alanna Kennedy and Mary Fowler will be available for City.
Tottenham Hotspur will host a second game in North London on Sunday, taking on Crystal Palace at 11pm AEST. It’s an exciting moment for newly promoted Palace, but a new look Spurs are in no mood to grant them any favours. Charli Grant will be available for Tottenham, as will new signings Hayley Raso and Clare Hunt.
The final game of the round will be Liverpool taking on Leicester City on Sunday, 11pm AEST. Both teams will be looking for an edge early in the season to push them towards challenging for European places. Teagan Micah will be available for Liverpool, while Courtney Nevin will be available for the Foxes.
You can catch all of the WSL live and on demand on Optus Sport.
France
The Arkema Première Ligue gets underway over the weekend, with Ellie Carpenter's Lyon taking on FC Fleury on Saturday, 5am AEST. Lyon go into each season as perennial favourites, but with new coach Joe Montemurro at the helm, fans will be closely watching to see how their football evolves. Carpenter will be available for the first day of the season.
United States
North Carolina Courage travel to take on Racing Louisville on Sunday, 9.30am AEST. The Courage need to keep picking up points to secure their place in the play-offs, while Racing Louisville will be motivated for three points to put them closer to eighth. Cortnee Vine will be available for the Courage.
San Diego Wave will take on the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, 11.30am AEST. After a dramatic midweek win in continental competition, they will hope to consolidate with three points in the league this weekend. Emily van Egmond and Kaitlyn Torpey will be available for the Wave.
Portland Thorns travel to take on Angel City FC on Tuesday, 12pm AEST. The Thorns remain in finals places by five points, but three points on the weekend will make them much more comfortable as the season draws to a close. Mackenzie Arnold will be available for Portland in goals.
You can catch all of the NWSL live and on demand on Optus Sport.
Sweden
Kristianstads DFF will look to continue their good run of form as they play Vittsjö GIK on Saturday, 11pm AEST. A win could see them sit within six points of Hammarby IF in third place, but it won’t be easy against a Vittsjö side who haven’t lost in six league games. Clare Polkinghorne and Remy Siemsen will be available for Kristianstads.
AIK Fotboll host Brommapojkarna on Sunday, 11pm AEST. It is a golden opportunity for the relegation-threatened side to pick up some points against a team not much higher than them on the table. Jada Whyman missed the previous game due to injury, and there is no word yet on whether she will be available this week.
Denmark
Winonah Heatley’s FC Nordsjælland will face title rivals Fortuna Hjørring on Sunday, 9pm AEST. Both teams are undefeated after five games, with Nordsjælland sitting two points clear thanks to a perfect five wins from five record. Heatley will be available for her side in their all-important clash.