The big WSL questions at the start of 2026 | OneFootball

The Women's Super League returns from the winter break this weekend with some big games as we get into the business part of the season.

We've already seen big developments in the last few weekends with London City Lionesses changing their manager and some fresh arrivals to the WSL.

With that in mind there are some big questions for the WSL in 2026...

Will Manchester City end Chelsea's dominance?

Six points clear after 10 wins from 11 games, everything seems to be going right for Andrée Jeglertz and his City have the best chance for any team in years to end Chelsea's stranglehold on the WSL.

City have scored 32 goals – averaging just under three goals per game – with Bunny Shaw in unstoppable form. The Jamaican striker has 12 goals already this season which is as many goals as Shaw and Alessia Russo managed last season when both topped the scoring charts. Rachel Daly and Vivianne Miedema currently have the most goals (22) in a WSL season, which could soon be smashed if Shaw continues her current form.

But can City keep up this form? Will they be 'found out' or be hampered by injuries at any point? That we don't know yet but they have got themselves in such a good position that they should be able to ride out any obstacles that come in there.

Sonia Bompastor's Chelsea side however they now know they needed to have a near-perfect end to the season to make it seven league titles on the bounce. The Blues certainly have the talent to do it but have dropped points in four of their 11 games so far.

Can Tottenham Hotspur disrupt Arsenal and Manchester United?

Martin Ho Ho is doing a remarkable job at Tottenham Hotspur, especially considering that Spurs finished 11th last season. Already Spurs have backed their manager with four new players in the winter break which translate to a much-needed refreshing of the squad.

Tottenham are just a point behind Man Utd and two behind Arsenal and are in the hunt for a potential Champions League place.

Marc Skinner's United have brought in two players that are needed to reinforce a squad with talent but little depth that he will be hoping can ensure his side continue to fight on different fronts. The Gunners meanwhile are on a six-game winning streak and are looking to keep that going in 2026.

With Arsenal and Man Utd facing on Saturday, Tottenham could well move up to fourth by the end of the weekend should they beat Leicester City.

Will London City Lionesses improve under Eder Maestre?

The decision to sack Jocelyn Prêcheur was a ruthless and controversial one considering that the Frenchman earned promotion with his side last season and left that at a very solid sixth place in the league – exactly where they might expect to be, behind the most 'established' sides but certainly showing their capabilities.

Eder Maestre is an interesting appointment, the Spaniard is viewed as a coach with a lot of potential but his experience with CD Tenerife Femenino, while certainly impressive, is limited. The WSL is a very different league and Maestre will have to learn fast.

Who will finish bottom of the table?

In any other season, Liverpool being bottom-of-the-league would be a big reason for panic and while Gareth Taylorr's side are yet to even win a game in the league they know that even if they finish bottom they will only need to defeat the third-placed WSL 2 team to stay in the top flight. Indeed, the Reds have only won against second tier teams this year.

That's not to say Liverpool aren't going to fight to move up the table and they are still only two points behind West Ham United.