WSL weekend preview: Chelsea visit Charlton as London City test Manchester City

The WSL weekend preview starts with Chelsea visiting bottom-placed Charlton Athletic, while Manchester City face third-placed London City Lionesses in a weekend that could change the picture at the top.

Everton v Manchester United opens the seven-match programme at Goodison Park on Saturday, with six more matches on Sunday, including Arsenal v Aston Villa.

Chelsea and Manchester City are level on 19 points, with Chelsea ahead on goal difference. London City are three points behind them, making Sunday’s meeting a chance to close the gap. The latest positions are in the official WSL table.

Updated Friday 30 October.

WSL fixtures, kick-off times and UK TV

All times are GMT.

Date	Fixture	Kick-off	UK coverage
Saturday 31 October	Everton vs Manchester United	12.45pm	Sky Sports
Sunday 1 November	Arsenal vs Aston Villa	Noon	Sky Sports
Sunday 1 November	London City Lionesses vs Manchester City	Noon	Sky Sports
Sunday 1 November	Birmingham City vs Tottenham	2pm	Sky Sports
Sunday 1 November	Brighton vs Crystal Palace	2pm	Sky Sports
Sunday 1 November	West Ham vs Liverpool	2pm	Sky Sports
Sunday 1 November	Charlton vs Chelsea	2.30pm	BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website

Everton host United at Goodison Park, Arsenal are at the Emirates and Chelsea travel to The Valley.

WSL team news: injuries and returns for every match

Here is the latest team news for all seven fixtures, from Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Goodison Park to Sunday’s 2.30pm game at The Valley.

Everton vs Manchester United: Hill out as United welcome players back

Manchester United will be without Scarlett Hill after the defender limped off during Wednesday’s 3-0 Players Cup victory over Burnley. Jess Simpson could feature despite also leaving that match with a problem.

Eva Olid’s options have improved following the returns of Celin Bizet Donnum, Jayde Riviere and Emma Watson. Fridolina Rolfö remains away from action during her pregnancy.

United also clarified that Maya Le Tissier’s midweek substitution was planned to manage her workload, rather than prompted by an injury. The club’s team-news update lists Everton’s Zara Kramžar, Inma Gabarro and Karen Holmgaard among those sidelined with ACL injuries.

United head to Goodison after Elisabeth Terland’s late equaliser against Manchester City maintained their recent league recovery.

London City vs Manchester City team news: Coffey could return

Sam Coffey could return for Manchester City, with Andrée Jeglertz hopeful the midfielder will be available for Sunday’s trip.

The City manager reported no fresh injury concerns following Thursday’s 1-1 Champions League draw against Paris Saint-Germain. Rebecca Knaak made her first appearance of the season in that match.

Coffey’s potential return would strengthen City’s midfield options for their third game in seven days. Jeglertz said his players were capable of completing another 90 minutes if selected.

City have conceded late equalisers in successive matches, first against United and then in the European draw with PSG. London City now offer another demanding away assignment.

Charlton vs Chelsea team news: Potter set to miss London derby

Chelsea expect to be without Lexi Potter after the midfielder injured her knee against Roma.

Sonia Bompastor said an MRI had found no major damage, but Potter would probably miss Sunday’s match. Her availability for the following weekend’s meeting with Everton will depend on how she progresses.

Bompastor’s injury update also underlined the importance of recovery between domestic and European fixtures, with Chelsea managing another short turnaround.

The Blues’ 2-0 victory over Roma came through goals from Ellie Carpenter and Kadeisha Buchanan. Charlton, meanwhile, are still seeking their first league point after seven defeats.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa team news: Maanum chance, Reid setback

Frida Maanum has a chance of returning for Arsenal, while Kim Little has already made her comeback in the Champions League.

There is less encouraging news for Katie Reid. Renée Slegers does not expect the defender back before Christmas after an ankle injury interrupted her return from an ACL injury.

Chloe Kelly remains unavailable, and Slegers indicated Sunday could come too soon for goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, according to Hayters’ press-conference report.

Arsenal’s north London derby victory ended their five-match league winless run. Villa arrive after successive WSL wins, including a 3-2 victory at Everton.

Birmingham vs Tottenham team news: Spurs without Sombath

Tottenham remain without Alice Sombath after the defender ruptured her ACL in the defeat by Arsenal.

Martin Ho reported no fresh injuries from the midweek Players Cup win at Bristol City, but Olga Ahtinen remains a couple of weeks away. Clare Hunt and Maite Oroz are also still sidelined, according to Tottenham’s latest update.

Birmingham earned their first league win of the season against Charlton last weekend. Spurs are trying to stop a sequence of three WSL defeats.

Brighton vs Crystal Palace team news: Tsunoda cannot face parent club

Crystal Palace will be without Fuka Tsunoda because the midfielder is on loan from Brighton and cannot play against her parent club.

Brighton approach the derby after beating West Ham in the league and Wolves in the Players Cup. Palace are seeking a response to defeats against Chelsea and London City, with the league’s preview highlighting Tsunoda’s absence.

West Ham vs Liverpool team news: Kerr returns, Woodham misses out

Liverpool welcome Scotland midfielder Sam Kerr back after three matches out through injury, but Lily Woodham will miss the trip to Dagenham.

Ceri Holland remains unavailable. Gareth Taylor said Lucy Parry and Mari Ward were further along in their returns, while Holland was progressing ahead of schedule.

Liverpool’s injury update gives Taylor another midfield option, although Woodham’s absence means he must make an adjustment elsewhere in the side.