Chelsea will begin their Women’s Super League title defence at Manchester United on the weekend of 5-6 September.
The fixture provides a potentially testing start for Chelsea, who were awarded the 2019-20 title on a points-per-game basis after the campaign was curtailed. United finished fourth last season, albeit some distance behind the leading clubs, and have strengthened with signings including the England midfielder Lucy Staniforth, whose contract at Birmingham had expired.
Fixtures for the first two weekends of the WSL and Championship seasons have been released. Promoted Aston Villa are at home to Manchester City on the opening weekend and a London derby in which Tottenham host West Ham is also scheduled. Arsenal, who are in the Women’s Champions League and will continue until 30 August if they reach the final, start at home to Reading.
Quick guide
WSL and Championship opening fixtures
5-6 September
Women's Super League Arsenal v Reading, Aston Villa v Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion v Birmingham City, Bristol City v Everton, Manchester United v Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
Championship Charlton Athletic v Crystal Palace, Coventry United v London Bees, Leicester City v Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool v Durham, London City Lionesses v Sheffield United
12-13 September
Women's Super League Chelsea v Bristol City, Birmingham City v Manchester United, Everton v Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion, Reading v Aston Villa, West Ham United v Arsenal
Championship Blackburn Rovers v Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace v London City Lionesses, Durham v Lewes, London Bees v Liverpool, Sheffield United v Leicester City
The matches are due to take place behind closed doors. Kelly Simmons, the Football Association’s director of the women’s professional game, said: “Fans have had to wait a while to see some live action and being able to announce the first two rounds of fixtures ahead of so many other leagues was something we really pushed for to build up the excitement ahead of the season starting.”
from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2F24BA3
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