Arsenal v Chelsea will be the headline game in the WSL this week as two title contenders go head-to-head.
Meanwhile, play-off places remain in contention in the NWSL, Kristianstads DFF have one last tilt at qualifying for continental football, and FC Nordsjælland hope to hold off challenges to their top-of-the-table position.
Read our preview of all of the action below.
England
The weekend starts off with a monumental clash between Arsenal and Chelsea on Saturday, 11.45pm AEDT. Last season’s champions Chelsea will be looking to make a statement against the perennial title contenders at the Emirates, while the Gunners will need to forget about their midweek UWCL loss quickly if they are to bounce back.
Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley will all be available for Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal as he may look to shake things up after their disappointing result to Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, Sam Kerr remains unavailable for Chelsea as she continues her ACL rehabilitation.
Manchester United host Tottenham on Sunday, 10.30pm AEDT. Spurs will be hurting after last week’s stoppage time penalty denied them a point against Liverpool and will be hoping for a result to lift them in this game. However, United – fresh off a week’s rest – will be a tough nut to crack.
Hayley Raso, Clare Hunt and Charlotte Grant will be available for Tottenham.
Everton and West Ham go head-to-head on Monday, 12am AEDT. The two sides are both in desperate need of a win, being currently rooted to the bottom of the table in the early stages of the season – although Everton will take heart in taking a point off Arsenal last week.
Both sides will likely feature CommBank Matildas in midfield, with Clare Wheeler for Everton and Katrina Gorry for West Ham both being available.
Crystal Palace will host Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday, 12am AEDT fresh off their first win in the WSL. With that hurdle out of the way, Palace will hope to have the burst of confidence that they need to get the results to stay in the competition.
Brighton will be a tricky opponent, however – they have been playing high-tempo football under new coach Dario Vidosic and will be looking to score more goals on the weekend.
Charlie Rule will be hoping to make her first appearance of the season for Brighton on Monday.
Aston Villa take on Leicester City on Monday, 12am AEDT. They – like West Ham and Everton – are also two sides without a win this season, with the caveat that Villa’s fixtures have been far less kind. Three points for either team would be important in establishing a run of form for the remainder of the season.
Courtney Nevin will be available for Leicester City.
Manchester City will travel to Liverpool in the final match of the round on Monday, 1am AEDT. City will be buoyed after their UWCL victory midweek against Barcelona. Liverpool have been good this season, though – and without the strain of midweek European ties, should be fresh and raring to go on the weekend.
City’s firepower up top will likely include Mary Fowler, who has been on a good run of form to start the season. Alanna Kennedy will likely be an option from the bench, or may start depending on the extent of Naomi Layzell's injury sustained in their midweek UWCL clash.
Meanwhile, Teagan Micah is unavailable for Liverpool due to injury.
You can catch all of the FA WSL live and on demand on Optus Sport.
France
Lyon take on Dijon on Sunday, 2am AEDT. Lyon goes into every domestic match as favourites but knows that they will have to work to get the job done against their opponents on Sunday. Ellie Carpenter will be available for the French champions.
Paris FC will be hoping to bounce back after a disappointing result last weekend, taking on Reims on Sunday, 2am AEDT. The team was easily the third-best in France last season but after failing to reach the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stages this time around, they will need a way to find their form once more. Sarah Hunter will be available, likely off the bench, for Paris FC.
Sweden
Kristianstads DFF take on Växjö DFF on Saturday, 10pm AEDT in what is an important match for their European hopes. As it stands, Kristianstads are seven points away from the top three with four games remaining – they will have to win all of their matches and hope that Hammarby starts to slip up in order to stand any chance.
Clare Polkinghorne and Remy Siemsen are likely to feature for Kristianstads.
BK Häcken take on Linköping on Sunday, 12am AEDT. The title is now out of their hands but they will be hoping to secure the three points that would see them guaranteed continental football next season. Aivi Luik will be unavailable for Häcken.
AIK Fotboll host Djurgården on Sunday, 12am AEDT. Every match is vital now for AIK in their quest to avoid relegation. They currently sit in the automatic relegation zone, but only on goal difference – their most likely goal is to pip Örebro to the finish line and face a relegation play-off to stay in the league.
Jada Whyman will be instrumental between the sticks for AIK on the weekend.
United States
Portland Thorns take on Orlando Pride on Saturday, 1pm AEDT. Portland need to start winning again to secure a playoff position that is in serious danger after a poor run of form, but it will be no easy feat against the runaway NWSL Shield winners Orlando.
Mackenzie Arnold missed last week’s game with a minor injury but coach Rob Gale has indicated she will be available this week.
North Carolina Courage host Angel City on Sunday, 10.30am AEDT. The Courage has secured a playoff spot and will be looking to refine their game heading into the finals series. Cortnee Vine will be available for the Courage.
The San Diego Wave will take on Houston Dash on Monday, 11am AEDT. The Wave are six points out of the play-offs with three games remaining – they will need to win all of their games and rely on slip-ups from those above them if they are to feature in the post-season. The Dash, sitting at the bottom of the table, are probably their best chance to get the three points they need.
Emily van Egmond and Kaitlyn Torpey will both be available for the Wave.
You can watch all of the NWSL live and on demand on Optus Sport.
Denmark
Winonah Heatley scored a 90th-minute winner overnight for FC Nordsjælland as they beat KoldingQ 1-0. Nordsjælland were heavy favourites heading into the game against the team in the relegation zone but ensured they took all three points with the late match-winner from their Aussie defender.
Netherlands
FC Twente host Excelsior on Saturday, 11pm AEDT. They will be riding the wave of momentum after their first ever UWCL group stage victory midweek, and will be hoping to transfer that form into the league. Daniela Galic will be available for Twente.
