It’s a huge weekend of derbies across Europe as CommBank Matildas are involved in the Manchester Derby, the Merseyside Derby, and El Clásico.
Read our preview of all of the Matildas Abroad action below.
England
A huge Manchester Derby awaits as City take on United on Saturday, 11.30pm AEDT. City need to win to keep the pressure on Chelsea – who they only trail on goal difference – while United will be desperate to not fall further behind Arsenal in third. Mary Fowler has started City’s last two matches and rewarded her coach with two goals, while Alanna Kennedy will be available as well.
Continuing the derby theme, Everton host Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby on Monday, 12am AEDT. The Blues will feel relatively safe from relegation, but any points will help assuage any fears of being pulled back into the race, while a win for Liverpool could see them jump over United into fourth. Clare Wheeler will likely take up her position in midfield for Everton while Teagan Micah will be available for Liverpool.
Bristol City take on Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, 1am AEDT as time begins to run out for them to save their season. Currently bottom of the table by six points, a win over midtable Spurs would do them the world of good. However, it certainly won’t be easy, with Tottenham on a high after their FA Cup Quarter-Final win over Manchester City and their victory over Leicester in the league last week. Charli Grant has been relegated to the bench after the return of Ash Neville to the Spurs lineup, but will be hoping for more game time on the weekend.
It will be 8th v 10th as Leicester City take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday, 2am AEDT. Both sides are looking likely to finish in midtable obscurity but will be looking over their shoulders to ensure a late run from Bristol does not disrupt any of their WSL plans. Remy Siemsen and Courtney Nevin will be available for the Foxes, while Charlie Rule has been unavailable for Brighton since January through injury.
West Ham face the toughest test in the competition as they take on Chelsea on Monday, 3.30am AEDT. They currently sit second from bottom, and any points they can take off the defending champions will be more than welcome. For Chelsea’s part, they will need a win to ensure that they stay top of the table ahead of Manchester City. Mackenzie Arnold and Katrina Gorry will likely start for the Hammers.
Finally, Arsenal travel to Aston Villa on Monday, 5.45am AEDT. The Gunners will be looking to bounce back after their loss to Chelsea last week while Villa will hope to advance to the top half of the table. Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley both started for Jonas Eidevall’s side last week and are expected to do so again while Kyra Cooney-Cross is also an option, likely from the bench.
France
Paris FC travel to Fleury on Saturday, 7am AEDT. A win would see them remain within six points of PSG in second with a game in hand. Sarah Hunter is available for the side but has not featured in matchday squads recently.
Lyon take on Lille on Saturday, 11.30pm AEDT. Lyon remain undefeated in the league and it would be highly unexpected if their second-from-bottom opponents changed that this weekend. Ellie Carpenter will be available and is expected to start at right-back for the defending French champions.
In the final match of the round, PSG travel to Montpellier on Monday, 7am AEDT. They will be focused on securing a win that would see them keep the pressure on Lyon at the top of the table. Clare Hunt has been starting on the bench in recent times as the team has transitioned into a back three formation, but will be available if required this weekend.
Sweden
The final matches of the Swedish Cup group stage are coming up this weekend.
Aivi Luik’s BK Häcken takes on Amy Sayer and Clare Polkinghorne’s Kristianstads DFF on Monday, 2am AEDT. Kristianstads will need to win in order to stand a chance of making it through to the next stage while Häcken will only need a point. It is likely that Häcken will rotate their squad as they prepare for the UEFA Women’s Champions League second leg against PSG next week.
United States
The San Diego Wave take on KC Current on Sunday, 1pm AEDT in their first NWSL regular season game of the season. Fresh off their NWSL Challenge Cup victory, they will be confident in getting their season off to a good start. Emily van Egmond is expected to start while Kaitlyn Torpey will be hoping to make her regular season debut.
Spain
Real Madrid take on Barcelona in a huge El Clásico on Monday, 4am AEDT. If Madrid have any chance of overhauling the defending champions, they will need to take the three points in this game. However, the still undefeated Barcelona are well and truly favourites. Hayley Raso has regularly featured for Madrid off the bench this season and will expect to feature again this weekend.