How to watch WSL matches on TV/live stream - gameweek 9

The WSL is back this weekend after three weeks off
The WSL is back this weekend after three weeks off / Naomi Baker/GettyImages
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The WSL returns this weekend for gameweek nine of the 2021/22 season.

The league programme has been on hold since 21 November because of an international break and a domestic cup window, with fans keen to get back to business.

There are six matches to be played up and down the country on Saturday and Sunday, and here's everything you need to know about them...


Saturday 11 December

Reading vs Chelsea

Chelsea lifted the FA Cup last weekend
Chelsea lifted the FA Cup last weekend / Visionhaus/GettyImages

When is kick off? Saturday 11 December, 11:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Madejski Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Premier League (UK), FA Player (international)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube, BBC Sport website, BBC Women’s Football Show (UK)
Referee? Louise Sanders

Chelsea struggled to break down a stubborn Juventus in the Champions League in midweek but were comfortable winners over Arsenal in last weekend's FA Cup final, while they have also won seven WSL games on the spin and scored 25 goals in the process.

Reading have improved since four straight defeats marked a poor start to the season. Kelly Chambers was named WSL manager of the month for November, with the Royals taking 10 points from the last 12 on offer to surge up the table.

Prediction: Reading 0-2 Chelsea


Sunday 12 December

Brighton vs Manchester United

Man Utd have struggled for consistency this season
Man Utd have struggled for consistency this season / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

When is kick off? Sunday 12 December, 12:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Broadfield Stadium
TV channel/live stream? BBC Two/BBC iPlayer (UK), FA Player (international)
Highlights? BBC Sport website, BBC Women’s Football Show (UK)
Referee? Abigail Byrne

Manchester United are finding it much tougher going this season, as was to be expected. Marc Skinner's team haven't won any of their last four WSL games, getting pegged back by both Tottenham and Everton in that run, and slipped up against Leicester in the Continental Cup.

Brighton, on the other hand, have gone from strength to strength this season. A summer of major investment in infrastructure behind the scenes is paying off for the Seagulls and they have been picking up consistent points.

Prediction: Brighton 1-0 Manchester United


Everton vs West Ham

Jean-Luc Vasseur is still figuring things out at Everton
Jean-Luc Vasseur is still figuring things out at Everton / Morgan Harlow/GettyImages

When is kick off? Sunday12 December, 13:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Walton Hall Park
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Highlights? BBC Sport website, BBC Women’s Football Show (UK)
Referee? Lucy May

Results have improved on the face of it, but Everton are still struggling to find their rhythm under new manager Jean-Luc Vasseur, which is probably understandable in the circumstances amid all of the changes at the club in the last six months.

The Hammers have been generally good if a little inconsistent this season and will definitely fancy their chances of getting a positive result against the Toffees to stay in the top half of the table.

Prediction: Everton 1-2 West Ham


Birmingham vs Manchester City

Man City have had a poor season by their usual standards
Man City have had a poor season by their usual standards / Clive Brunskill/GettyImages

When is kick off? Sunday 12 December, 14:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? St Andrew's
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Highlights? BBC Sport website, BBC Women’s Football Show (UK)
Referee? Helen Conley

Manchester City put an embarrassing defeat to Chelsea behind them last time out when they thrashed Aston Villa 5-0. They now face another West Midlands side in the shape of Birmingham and will expect more of the same.

Birmingham have struggled as expected this season. They are only out of the relegation zone by virtue of an October draw against West Ham and Leicester's worse record.

Prediction: Birmingham 0-4 Manchester City


Aston Villa vs Tottenham

Tottenham's early season momentum has stuttered
Tottenham's early season momentum has stuttered / Catherine Ivill/GettyImages

When is kick off? Sunday 12 December, 18:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Bescot Stadium
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Highlights? BBC Sport website, BBC Women’s Football Show (UK)
Referee? Kirsty Dowle

Victory over Birmingham in the Second City derby is Aston Villa's only win in their last five WSL games after what had been a promising start to the season for the ambitious club.

Tottenham have also struggled for wins of late and have only taken two points from the last 12 on offer. That did include an impressive display against Arsenal in the north London derby though.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham


Arsenal vs Leicester

Arsenal quickly need to bounce back from significant back-to-back defeats
Arsenal quickly need to bounce back from significant back-to-back defeats / Visionhaus/GettyImages

When is kick off? Sunday 12 December, 18:45 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Meadow Park
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event/Football (UK), FA Player (international)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube, BBC Sport website, BBC Women’s Football Show (UK)
Referee? Emily Heaslip

In the space of the last week, Arsenal have been convincingly beaten by Chelsea in the FA Cup final and by Barcelona in the Champions League. The Gunners have lost a bit of rhythm generally in recent weeks and will be keen to register a confidence-boosting win here.

Leicester are yet to pick up a point since being promoted to the WSL but haven't been humiliated in any game and have often been close to getting something. They frustrated Manchester United in the Continental Cup last weekend.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Leicester


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