CHELSEA mount their bid to retain their Women’s Super League crown with a clash at Arsenal on the first weekend of the 2021-22 season.
And WSL newbies Leicester City take on Aston Villa in what will be the Bescot Stadium’s side’s first league game under new boss Carla Ward.
The first games of the new WSL term are set to take place from September 3 to 5.
Season-opening clashes in the Women’s Championship will take place from August 28 to 29.
Matches include a duel between Liverpool and London City Lionesses.
Chelsea, who lost just once in the top-flight last season, face a tricky opening run of games with home and away duels with Everton and Man United following their trip to the Gunners.
And Emma Hayes Blues will then take on Hope Powell’s Brighton who were the only team to beat them in the top tier last term.
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Everton, who harbour hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, will face Manchester City at home in their first game of the season.
And Brighton, who have signed former Gunners and Reading striker Danielle Carter, will host West Ham.
Elsewhere Manchester United and Tottenham will play their first matches of the season at home against Reading and Birmingham City.
WSL champs Chelsea and title rivals Manchester City are due to go head-to-head between November 12 and 14.
And Carla Ward’s Aston Villa will take on her former club Birmingham in the first Second City derby of the season within that timeframe.
A month beforehand Jonathan Morgan and his Leicester City side will travel to Chelsea for their first encounter with title-holders Chelsea.
That clash is scheduled around October 8 to 10.
And the final day of the 2021-2022 season will see Chelsea, who signed Lauren James, host the striker’s former side Manchester United.
It is a match that could see former Blues defender Hannah Blundell – who has switched to United on a two-year deal – go up against her old club.
This season will see WSL games broadcast live on the BBC and Sky Sports as part of a landmark three-year broadcast deal reported to be worth £7million to £8million a season.
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The BBC is set to air 22 live games with a minimum of 18 shown on BBC One or BBC Two.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports are expected to cover up to 44 matches on their Main Event, Premier League and Sky Sports Football Channels.
Kelly Simmons, the FA’s Women’s Game director said: “A lot of work has gone into preparing for this season and I think it is this year people will see just how far the women’s game has come.
“This season will see record levels of exposure and audiences as a result of our exciting new partnership with Sky Sports and the BBC.
“I cannot wait to see our elite athletes showcasing their talent to the nation.”
Opening Women’s Super League games
3-5 September
- Arsenal vs Chelsea
- Aston Villa vs Leicester City
- Brighton vs West Ham
- Everton vs Manchester City
- Manchester United vs Reading
- Tottenham vs Birmingham City
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
