Matildas Abroad Preview: California derby in the NWSL; Aussies go head-to-head in England and Sweden

Before the international break begins, and our Matildas Abroad return home to face New Zealand in a two-match series, one last weekend of club action is in store for our Aussies. 

Australians go head-to-head across Europe, while a California derby is on the cards in the NWSL Challenge Cup.

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Starting off in England, Mackenzie Arnold and Tameka Yallops's West Ham United host Alanna Kennedy and Hayley Raso's Manchester City.

This tie in the WSL is a repeat of the Women's FA Cup semi-finals that is coming up after the international breaking, seeing four Aussies go head-to-head.

West Ham were the winners when the two sides met earlier in the season, with Olli Harder's side recording a historic win over City, marking their first win over the side from Manchester.


Since then City has begun to find form, on a five-game winning streak in the WSL. 

Meanwhile, the Hammers are hoping to bounce back after defeat at the hands of Brighton last weekend.

This game kicks off on Saturday night at 9:30 pm AEDT. 

Over in Leicester, the WSL newcomers host Arsenal who are coming off the back of being eliminated from the UWCL in midweek action.

The Gunners had last weekend off, due to COVID-19 cases in their opponents' camp, and in that time Chelsea overtook them on the ladder with now just 1 point separating the two.

Jonas Eidevall's side will be kept hot on Chelsea's tail when they take on Leicester. 

Arsenal's opposition faced a heavy 9-0 defeat a the hands of Chelsea last weekend. 

Lydia Williams remained on the bench in Arsenal's UWCL loss, while Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord both featured and will be called on once again this weekend before leaving for Australia. 

This game kicks off on Sunday night at 9:30 pm AEST. 

Kyah Simon's Spurs host Emily Gielnik's Aston Villa, with the latter hoping to pick up a win after a four-game winless run.

Meanwhile, Spurs have had two weeks off of WSL action, not of their own volition, but, having to postpone back-to-back games after a COVID-10 outbreak in their team. 


Carla Ward's Villa side last tasted victory back in mid-February, with a 2-0 win over Everton where Gielnik found the back of the net. 

Villa will be trying to catch a Spurs side that could be rusty due to an extended period away. 

This game kicks off on Sunday night at 11:00 pm AEST. 

This last game of WSL action in England will see Sam Kerr's Chelsea host Reading FC.

Chelsea was clinical in their display last weekend, thumping Leicester City 9-0, with Kerr scoring twice, to secure first place on the WSL table.

Emma Hayes' side can not afford to drop any points in their run to claim the WSL title, with Arsenal just one point behind them.

The Blues' opposition, Reading, were held to a 1-1 draw last weekend away at Aston Villa. 

This game kicks off on Monday morning at 3:45 am AEST. 

Over in America, Emily van Egmond, fresh off her debut for San Diego Wave FC, will face fellow California newcomers Angel City FC once again.

The two sides faced one another in their inaugural NWSL match, however, both sides are still in search of their historic first win. In the reverse draw of this California derby, when Angel City hosted Wave, San Diego came from behind to clinch a late 1-1 draw. 

This game kicks off on Sunday morning at 6:00 am AEST.

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Over in Sweden, Clare Polkinghorne's Vittsjö GIK will host Teagan Micah and Charli Grant's FC Rosengård.

Vittsjö will be looking to pick up their first win of the season, after sealing a late 1-1 draw last weekend, against last year's winners. 


Rosengård have continued to show their dominance across all competitions, winning last weekend 2-0.

This game kicks off on Sunday night at 11:00 pm AEST.

In Denmark, Fortuna Hjørring will take on FC Thy-Thisted Q, with Clare Wheeler, Angie Beard and Indi-Paige Riley's side aiming for back-to-back wins after recording a 2-0 win over Farum last weekend. 

This game kicks off on Saturday morning at 3:00 am AEST.

Our last stop takes us to Italy, with Aivi Luik and Ella Mastrantonio's Pomigliano C.F hosting fourth placed Sassuolo. 

Their previous meeting in November of 2021 saw Sassuolo walk away with a 4-2 win.

This game kicks off on Saturday night at 9:30 pm AEST.