WSL predictions: Gameweek 1

Just six weeks after Olga Carmona broke English hearts with the only goal of the World Cup final in Sydney, the Women's Super League returns for the 2023/24 campaign.

The World Cup's top scorer and best goalkeeper are just two members of a star-studded cast littered across the English top flight this term. In what Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall predicted to be "the most competitive WSL season", every game and point counts.

Here are 90min's predictions for the first slate of fixtures in what promises to be another enthralling and record-breaking campaign.

WSL predictions: Week 1

When Aston Villa hosted a Manchester club on the opening day of last season, they came out on top in a bonkers 4-3 thriller. Manchester United, rather than City, will be Villa's visitors in the first game of the new campaign on Sunday lunchtime.

Marc Skinner's runners-up last season built their success on a strong defensive foundation - United conceded more than once in just three league games, although Villa did twice take the lead when these sides last met in April (before losing 3-2).

After a season of upheaval - and survival - Brighton are targeting the serenity enjoyed by their upcoming hosts Everton. Brian Sorensen, the team's only manager, steered the Toffees to an impressive sixth-placed finish last season. Melissa Phillips was the fourth individual to take charge of Brighton last term, eventually hauling the Seagulls to safety.

While Brighton's summer recruitment drive - headlined by Champions League finalist Pauline Bremer - offers hope for an improvement upon last term's 11th-placed finish, Everton's backline has been stripped of defensive pillars Gabby George and Rikke Sevecke during the off-season.

Arsenal are not only trying to banish the anguish of crashing out of the Champions League in September but have an attendance record in their sights when Liverpool travel to the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

Visiting manager Matt Beard shrugged at the 51,000 tickets sold for his side's 2pm kick-off. "It's the norm in the WSL now." Four of the six matches taking place on the opening weekend of the season will be held in the stadiums primarily used by the men's team of each club.

Freshly promoted Bristol City mark their return to the top flight with an instant six-pointer against Leicester City at Ashton Gate. Willie Kirk moved from the front office to the dugout midway through last season after a wretched start under Lydia Bedford. The Foxes ultimately finished five points clear of relegated Reading but have embarked upon a remarkable squad overhaul, shipping out 16 players and bringing in nine new faces.

Manchester City made one of the most exciting signings of the summer by luring Jill Roord away from Champions League finalists Wolfsburg. But the return of the prodigious Jess Park from a loan spell with Everton could be just as important. City, smarting from the club's lowest league finish (fourth) in nine years, travel to West Ham United's modest Chigwell Construction Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Fittingly, top billing is reserved for the winners of the last four WSL titles. Emma Hayes' all-conquering Chelsea continue their unrelenting pursuit of silverware with a London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea were stunned by a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool on the opening day of last season but only dropped points in two other matches. No WSL team has beaten the Blues in west London since Brighton performed a miracle in February 2021.

If this season is to be as competitive as Eidevall predicts, some teams will have to find a way of ending Chelsea's imperious home form.

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