With the lads’s home recreation on a world break, there are a bunch of exhilarating matches throughout ladies’s soccer this weekend that are value keeping track of.
The celebration that has change into Ladies’s Soccer Weekend within the UK has two main native derbies within the Ladies’s Tremendous League, whereas El Clásico between Barcelona and Actual Madrid is certain to be thrilling in Spain’s Liga F and the NWSL kicks into its second matchday with a very high-profile mtach-up on ESPN+.
This is a have a look at the important thing matches from this weekend’s slate.
– Stream on ESPN+: NWSL, LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)
WSL: Manchester Metropolis vs. Manchester United
Saturday, 12:30 p.m. GMT / 8:30 a.m. ET (Paramount+)
On Saturday, Man Metropolis welcome United to the Etihad Stadium as they proceed their quest for a primary WSL title since 2016. A decisive victory over their rivals might propel Gareth Taylor’s facet briefly forward of present holders Chelsea, with each groups at the moment locked collectively on the high of the desk on objective distinction (Metropolis are two targets behind), because the Blues do not play West Ham till Sunday.
Metropolis’s bid to disrupt Chelsea supervisor Emma Hayes’ pursuit of a fifth-consecutive WSL title hinges on the consistency of the squad and the objective scoring of star striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, who leads the league with 16 targets from 15 video games.
Nevertheless, the stress is immense for United after a turbulent season underneath Marc Skinner’s management. Regardless of ending second final marketing campaign, United have confronted important challenges this season, selecting up only one level out of a attainable 12 in opposition to their top-four rivals.
One other loss might speed up the membership’s pursuit of a brand new supervisor, particularly with Skinner’s contract expiring this summer season, whereas defeat might spell catastrophe for his or her European aspirations, that are already dangerously skinny as they sit six factors adrift of Arsenal in third. — Emily Keogh
WSL: Everton vs. Liverpool
Sunday, 1 p.m. GMT / 9 a.m. ET (Paramount+)
Simply 30 miles from Manchester, fifth-placed Liverpool journey to Everton for the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park the next day.
Everton are unbeaten of their final 4 WSL video games in opposition to Liverpool (W3, D1) and secured a slim 1-0 win within the earlier encounter this season, however they’ve been left with a threadbare squad as a result of an enormous variety of accidents this season. They need to be protected from relegation as they’re eight factors away from bottom-side Bristol Metropolis however, after ending sixth final season, a spot in ninth is just not what the membership would have wished.
Liverpool’s current type (three wins from their final three WSL video games) makes Matt Beard’s crew favourites and in the event that they do overcome Everton, the Reds might leapfrog United and take the benefit within the race for fourth place. — Emily Keogh
Spanish Liga F: Actual Madrid vs. Barcelona
Sunday, 5 p.m. GMT / 1 p.m. ET (DAZN)
The champions of Europe, Barcelona boast a near-perfect report in Liga F this season, having dropped simply two factors from 20 matches. And though the main target for the all-conquering crew would be the quadruple (together with a home treble), their clashes with second-placed Actual Madrid have change into a special day.
For Las Blancas, who’re 9 factors adrift, there’s loads to spur them on as they attempt to spoil Barca’s unbeaten season. Having run the Catalans shut in two video games final season, even taking the Supercopa semifinal to additional time, Actual have regressed this time period and have already shipped 9 targets with out reply in two conferences in opposition to their rivals this marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, it’s Spain’s showpiece recreation and has begun to mature right into a fixture worthy of the acquainted “El Clásico” moniker. Followers will likely be handled to 90 minutes of ardour between two burgeoning foes, with Madrid seeking to save face at residence and present they’ll compete in opposition to the Barca juggernaut. — Sophie Lawson
German Frauen-Bundesliga: VfL Wolfsburg vs. Bayern Munich
Saturday, 4:45 p.m. GMT / 10:45 a.m. ET (DAZN)
The newest Frauen-Bundesliga fixture to tackle the “Der Klassiker” title — from FFC Frankfurt vs. Turbine Potsdam — Wolfsburg’s conflict with Bayern Munich will see Germany’s high two pitted in opposition to one another as soon as once more.
This time final week the sport might have been billed because the title decider, with Wolfsburg a solitary level behind leaders Bayern. Nevertheless the She Wolves suffered a uncommon defeat away to Hoffenheim final day trip, offering the Bavarians a four-point cushion.
There isn’t a love misplaced between the groups who’ve shared each German title for the final 11 seasons (seven for Wolfsburg; 4 for Bayern) between them, and with the information earlier this yr that Wolfsburg’s star midfielder Lena Oberdorf will likely be transferring south for €450,000 subsequent summer season, it firmly appears as if the scales have tipped in direction of Bayern.
It’s a must-win recreation for Wolfsburg, not only for their title hopes but in addition of their bid to point out that they’ll nonetheless compete with Bayern on the highest stage. — Sophie Lawson
NWSL: Portland Thorns vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC
Sunday, 7 p.m. ET / 12 a.m. GMT (ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes)
A rematch of final yr’s semifinal highlights the NWSL’s Week 2 slate, with defending champion NJ/NY Gotham FC visiting Windfall Park for the Portland Thorns’ residence opener.
Gotham defeated the three-time champion Thorns in the identical constructing in final yr’s semifinals on its method to the crew’s first NWSL trophy. That is Gotham’s regular-season opener after dropping to the San Diego Wave, 1-0 in final week’s one-off Problem Cup to open the season.
Gotham has modified drastically since that match after an energetic winter switch window that noticed the arrival of U.S. internationals Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett. Dunn spent the earlier three seasons in Portland and helped the Thorns win a 3rd league title in 2022. Saturday marks her first recreation in Windfall Park, and her first in opposition to her former crew, since her transfer to New Jersey, the place she is nearer to her hometown on Lengthy Island.
Portland opened the season final week with a wild, 5-4 loss to the Kansas Metropolis Present at the opening of CPKC Stadium. In that recreation, Sophia Smith and Janine Beckie every tallied a brace, however the Thorns’ leaky protection is a matter to look at as they goal for championship competition this season. — Jeff Kassouf
NWSL: San Diego Wave FC vs. Kansas Metropolis Present
Saturday, 10 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. GMT (ION)
San Diego Wave formally kicks off its common season at residence on Saturday in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Present after final week’s NWSL Problem Cup, secured by way of a late objective by ahead Alex Morgan off the bench. The Wave received the NWSL Protect final season, which head coach Casey Stoney reiterated forward of the Problem Cup made them “the perfect crew” in 2023, regardless of falling brief within the playoffs.
San Diego additionally led the NWSL in attendance with over 20,000 followers per recreation in 2023 at Snapdragon Stadium. A robust season-opening crowd is anticipated for the match in opposition to a Kansas Metropolis crew driving the excessive of a historic second final week.
The Present, now led by former U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski, acquired a powerful 45-minute efficiency from ahead Bia Zaneratto in Week 1. This week, nonetheless, she won’t have the playmaking providers of Brazilian counterpart Debinha as a result of a hamstring damage sustained in Week 1. Debinha went down with a non-contact damage a half-hour into final week’s match and will likely be out for the Present not less than by way of the early April worldwide break, ESPN confirmed. — Jeff Kassouf