Man City's balancing act faces first test

Charlton vs Man City - Saturday, kick-off 1.30pm

The fortunes of these two sides could not be more contrasting in the opening weeks of the campaign. Man City have maximum points. Charlton have the minimum, which is to say, they are yet to get off the starting grid. That will not be easy to rectify against a City side in complete free flow.

A question mark does hang over Sunday's visitors to The Valley, though. A relative unknown that could aid Charlton's cause. How might City go about balancing the demands of traversing Europe with domestic priorities?

Andree Jeglertz's side were in Germany this week, battling to a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich where they were forced to come from 2-0 down. This is where pressure cranks up and begins to scrutinise the depth and resolve of Jeglertz's squad in greater detail.

No doubt such a talented bunch can cope. But that assumption is yet to be properly stress tested.

Goals guaranteed in all-out attack?

London City Lionesses vs Brighton - Saturday, kick-off 5pm,

To my mind, this is one of the most intriguing match ups of the round, simply because it's impossible to predict. Both teams are offensively minded and thrive by taking the game to their opponent, which should make it lively. If it stays open and transitional throughout, goals are guaranteed at both ends.

London City have scored and conceded at least once in each of their last eight WSL outings. Alexia Putellas is still waiting for her big breakout moment. Brighton, meanwhile, have been stockpiling chances without actually putting them away.

The Seagulls have underperformed against their xG tally by a factor of 3.6 so far and will have been working on a plan to convert such dominance into goals. Against a London City side whose algorithm is programmed to all-out attack, they will get chances. It's important they take them.

Is Medina Man Utd's trump card?

Man Utd vs West Ham - Sunday, kick-off 1pm,

Manchester United are winless across their opening three matches, but came away with plenty of credit from last week's 1-1 draw with Arsenal. After a punishing start, shipping seven goals in their first two outings, Eva Olid's side looked more stable and threatening at the Emirates. It took until the 96th minute for Arsenal to break them down.

United are a side, to my eye, who are best when counter-punching. They have technicians through the middle of the park who can transition the ball quickly and find useful pockets of space in behind. And I've especially liked what Andrea Medina has added since arriving in the summer, raw pace and aggression.

As part of a creative unit that also includes Jess Park, Simi Awujo and perhaps Ella Toone if she returns to the starting XI, United have the means to service Elisabeth Terland in the pursuit of more consistent goal threat. Those patterns should evolve given time.

The battle of the promoted sides

Birmingham vs Crystal Palace - Sunday, kick-off 2pm,

Birmingham and Crystal Palace are still finding their way since promotion from WSL2. Both were on the end of gruelling results last time out; Palace actually got pumped by Tottenham. But they are both on the scoreboard and that is more than can be said for point-less Charlton.

I imagine this game to be more cautious in nature because it's important not to lose and allow the other to get a jump. For two sides who are likely going to have to slog it out to stay in the top flight, remaining competitive against one another is a necessity.

Both have shown a tendency to build-up via the more direct route, so winning aerial duels will be important. Five players have made 10+ headed clearances so far this term and four of them will likely play in this fixture.

More Anfield anguish?

Liverpool vs Everton - Sunday, kick-off 2pm,

Everton have been taunting Liverpool about their atrocious Merseyside derby record at Anfield for years now. But that defect is not specific to the derby. Oh no. Liverpool have lost eight of their nine league games hosted at Anfield.

It's a weird quirk but one that Gareth Taylor must try to stamp out. Things have finally begun to click under him, pairing an attractive style of football with a strategy that can actually win games. The Reds have found the net seven times so far which already surpasses their total for their first 10 games of last year.

Only Chelsea and Arsenal have forced more high turnovers, which tells me their press is functioning in the quick and co-ordinated way Taylor demands. Everton are on a decent run but both wins this season have come courtesy of own goals. Liverpool should be out to punish.

Don't be surprised by Spurs

Tottenham vs Aston Villa - Sunday, kick-off 2pm,

One of the standout games of last season was Tottenham's thrilling 7-3 win over Villa. I remember it well. And Spurs have been at it again, putting seven past Palace last week in a wonderful show of flair and invention. It felt like a declaration of sorts, a warning to pay attention.

Amanda Nilden's goal in the 86th minute particularly caught my eye, a 14-pass move involving all but one outfield player. Martin Ho has got his side playing some slick stuff. Avoid defeat this weekend and it will represent their longest unbeaten streak in the league (seven games).

Since Ho took over in July 2025, only Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal have won more times than Tottenham's 13. Such rapid acceleration is worth keeping an eye on as a handful of teams jostle to break into the top three or four.

Chelsea's flying full-backs can punish passive Arsenal

Chelsea vs Arsenal - Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm,

Last but not least, the weekend's headline act. Sunday marks the tenth meeting between Chelsea and Arsenal in all competitions since the start of 2023/24, with the contest tied at four wins apiece.

I want to pick out Chelsea's full-backs ahead of this next bout. I have a feeling they will feature heavily. Only Man City's Lauren Hemp has completed more carries into the final third than Ellie Carpenter's seven this term. She plays more like a flying winger, equally adept in chance creation and stretching defences. She is mirrored on the opposite flank by Katie McCabe.

Of course the sub-plot is McCabe will be facing Arsenal for the first time since leaving the club this summer, and has been known to get the wrong side of emotionally-charged at times. But channelled in the right way, the high-risk, high-reward approach of Chelsea's full-back pairing can win them the game.

Arsenal have been passive at best so far. That would play straight into Sonia Bompastor's hands if replicated at Stamford Bridge.

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