Birmingham Metropolis
Final season: 2nd. Predicted end: 2nd
After lacking out on promotion on the ultimate day of final season, ending simply two factors behind London Metropolis Lionesses, Birmingham regarded just about WSL-ready on and off the pitch however had been the victims of the previous format's lone promotion spot. Below Amy Merricks, they'd the perfect defensive report within the division however too many attracts in the end value Birmingham dearly. With a second computerized promotion spot up for grabs – and one playoff spot too – they need to nearly have sufficient, after some robust summer season signings, together with the return of the Greece winger Veatriki Sarri and the Haiti ahead Batcheba Louis.
Bristol Metropolis
Final season: sixth. Predicted end: third
Charlotte Healy is the brand new head coach after constructing a robust repute as an assistant coach at Manchester United. A promising switch window sees the arrival in midfield of the previous Wales captain Sophie Ingle and the previous Barcelona captain Vicky Losada. Ahead Lexi Lloyd-Smith says of Healy: “Up to now, she's unreal. She communicates very well and I really feel like she's going to get the perfect out of the gamers by being like that. Final season, there was a disappointing finish as a result of at Christmas we had been joint first, and I actually did see the potential within the squad to go all the way in which, however the ambition now could be to get that promotion, [there] is unfinished enterprise.”
Charlton Athletic
Final season: third. Predicted end: 4th
Arduous to beat, well-coached and organised on the again, Charlton misplaced solely three league video games final season and are possible contenders as soon as once more. Pushing above their weight, attaining greater than anticipated on a finances not be in the identical bracket as Newcastle and Birmingham, pulling off promotion could be a shock. Nonetheless, the defender Kiera Skeels says: “Everybody is de facto excited, with the brand new league construction and the promotion locations. We've had two fairly profitable years and we're seeking to construct on that and hopefully be a part of it. We need to present what we're about.”
Crystal Palace
Final season: twelfth within the WSL. Predicted end: fifth
Since their relegation, Palace have misplaced some high quality gamers to NWSL golf equipment, together with Katie Stengel and Clarissa Larisey, however have held on to Annabel Blanchard, whose 11 objectives in 19 league video games helped win promotion two seasons in the past. The acquisition of the Belgium midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet from Everton brings expertise and invaluable peak at set-pieces. New head coach Jo Potter is now in her second managerial job after successful two Scottish Cups and two Scottish Premier League Cups with Rangers.
Durham
Final season: 4th. Predicted end: sixth
Ever-present members of the second tier since 2014, Durham are a well-run membership, intently related with their neighborhood and have stepped up their ambitions after promoting a 25% stake within the membership to 2 long-term supporters, the lottery winners Patrick and Frances Connolly. New signing Mariana Speckmaier boosts their assault. Centre-back Sarah Wilson says: “I feel as a result of we've all the time had that household really feel as a membership we're very close-knit with a core group who've been round for a very long time, and that's what makes this membership so particular. It's the belief you might have [in each other].”
Ipswich
Final season: Promoted from FAWNL. Predicted end: eleventh
Champions of the southern area's third tier after averaging greater than 4 objectives per recreation, Joe Sheehan's facet have a shot at second-tier soccer and so they would possibly simply be able to staying there, particularly if Sophie Peskett can hold firing within the objectives. Youth graduate Paige Peake was their first signing of the summer season after three years at Southampton. “It was actually thrilling to be again dwelling,” she says. “Now we're full-time professionals, in order that soar within the house of 4 years is nice and the amenities on the coaching floor have actually improved.”
Newcastle
Final season: fifth. Predicted end: 1st
What a summer season on Tyneside. With the additional promotion locations up for grabs, Newcastle are clearly going for it, signing Jordan Nobbs, a title winner with Arsenal, and Aoife Mannion, an FA Cup winner with Manchester United. That signalled their intent even earlier than the mortgage signing of Morgan Gautrat, twice a world champion with the USA, from Orlando Satisfaction. Grace Williams arrives as their new director of soccer, and she or he oversaw promotions at Bristol Metropolis in 2023 and Crystal Palace in 2024. Favourites to win the division.
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Nottingham Forest
Final season: Promoted from FAWNL. Predicted end: seventh
Carly Davies' facet accomplished an unbeaten league marketing campaign to clinch promotion and their summer season recruitment suggests they intend to be aggressive at second-tier stage. Among the many arrivals are gamers with top-flight expertise corresponding to Rachel Rowe, Deanne Rose and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah. The Scotland defender Kirsty Smith arrives from West Ham. “I need to get again to having fun with soccer and in addition the type of play right here suited me,” she says. “They've ambition, they need to compete on this league. It was a troublesome choice to go down [a league] however this division is so aggressive. It's simply good to be a part of a workforce that's pushing to be on the high half of the desk and I hope that's the place we're going to be. They made the choice straightforward for me.”
Portsmouth
Final season: ninth. Predicted end: twelfth
Having needed to wait till March to win their first league recreation of their first marketing campaign at this stage after their promotion in 2024, Portsmouth completed strongly and gained two of their remaining 5 fixtures to keep away from relegation. Surviving once more this season is not going to be a easy process due to the power of the promoted groups. Nonetheless, midfielder Ava Rowbotham stays optimistic, saying: “We actually kicked on after Christmas, so to remain up and proceed our spot in WSL2 was actually good and everyone seems to be simply buzzing and excited to kick on.”
Sheffield United
Final season: twelfth. Predicted end: tenth
Ending rock-bottom of the then 11-team league, Sheffield United had been handed a reprieve on 4 June when the Soccer Affiliation handed them the place left vacant by the financially troubled Blackburn Rovers. Sheffield United, having met all the necessities for a full-time licence, had been the pure selection. They've added the previous England youth worldwide Charlie Devlin to the squad and turned Alyssa Aherne's mortgage from Manchester United right into a everlasting switch. They are going to be determined to benefit from their probability for redemption.
Southampton
Final season: eighth. Predicted end: ninth
After supervisor Remi Allen's exit in February, Simon Parker arrived this summerhaving spent two years overachieving answerable for Blackburn, and he'll need to present what could be achieved with stronger monetary backing. That stated, Southampton are hardly overburdened with money so it might be unrealistic to anticipate a sudden title cost. However the brand new signings Emma Harries and Ellie Brazil specifically ought to add some much-needed objectives: solely Portsmouth, Blackburn and Sheffield United scored fewer final time period.
Sunderland
Final season: seventh. Predicted end: eighth
Sunderland had been stable if unspectacular final season and appear the benchmark for mid-table stability below their long-serving head coach Melanie Reay. The Republic of Eire and former Studying goalkeeper Grace Moloney at 32 brings expertise between the posts. Defender Brianna Westrup, earlier than her fourth season with the membership, says: “Yearly I've been on this league it's very a lot felt like anybody can win on any day. It's been uncommon after we've felt one workforce is working away with it. [This summer] there was various motion throughout the league, gamers switching groups. Total we really feel optimistic, in pretty good stead. It feels a bit extra just like the 12 months earlier than final after we had a great run [finishing third in 2024].”
