West Ham United

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This exact fixture has ended in a draw in each of the last three seasons, with Hammers forward Riko Ueki netting late equalisers for in each of the last two meetings (95th minute in 2023, 85th minute in 2024).

The Japan forward is the only West Ham player to score in the last six games against Liverpool.

Liverpool

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Liverpool boss Gareth Taylor called on his side to "show a reaction" against West Ham after their bruising 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Thursday.

The Reds are currently rooted to the bottom of the table on two points, with eight defeats and two draws from ten games.

Taylor said: "We have to go and show a reaction because if we don’t, we know that West Ham have players that can capitalise on that, and they will."

He added: "We have to make sure we get fight, we get reaction, we get good body language, because if we don’t get that… that’s always going to be a real struggle for us because Liverpool can’t win games when we play like that."

West Ham United

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Rehanne Skinner has welcomed the arrival of the Women's Super League winter break, saying it is "healthy to get away from it sometimes", ahead of West Ham's crunch match at the bottom of the table against Liverpool on Sunday.

"The break is often a good thing," said Skinner in her pre-match press conference. "We responded brilliantly after the break in October and the spell between was really positive.

"Then we had another international break and we played well against (Manchester) United, came back from a goal behind, gave a good account of ourselves."

The Hammers currently sit 11th on four points, having struggled in the first half of 2025-26.

Skinner added: "When you get those natural breaks it gives people a chance to remember there's other stuff as well, because football can be all consuming. A step back can often be a real positive."

Having won just one of their opening 10 games this season, West Ham will be looking to end the calendar year on a positive note against Liverpool.

"Being at home is a massive plus for us. We want to make sure we give our fans a home league win before the Christmas break."

Thanks Ant, some great shouts in there.

I'd argue City could be up for surprise package too. Did anyone expect them to even be in the title race, let alone leading it?

Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC Women's Football Weekly

Chelsea are not scoring as many goals as previously and where we would see them in previous seasons where they would find a way to win, it just isn't happening for them as much this season.

They are just not taking their chances and that has proven to be quite devastating for them in the title race.

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor speaking to Sky Sports: "I think from the last game we had in the Champions League, it was good for the confidence being able to score some goals. The game today will be different, we are back to the league and it's a must-win game."

On how crucial today's game is: "I think every game is crucial in the league and when you are Chelsea every game is a must-win game, so there is no difference today,. We need to make sure it's the last game in the year and I think we have high ambitions again. We know our situation in the table and we are all clear and we know we have to win the game."

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton boss Dario Vidosic speaking to Sky Sports about whether it's the perfect time to face Chelsea: "I think it's always the perfect time, there's never a time that we prefer or not. Today's the match-up where we're looking forward to it. It's a fantastic challenge. They'll definitely want to bounce back from that result in the league.

"We've taken confidence from the past against them but we know today we need to be ready and bring the fire as well."

Chelsea

Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Everton on Sunday was the Blues' first WSL loss in 585 days, and Sonia Bompastor's first league reverse since becoming manager in 2024.

Today, she wants her side to start afresh.

"We see it as a new opportunity for us to have a good performance. We know it will be crucial for us to get the three points and the win," she said.

"I’m hoping we can show we have taken the learnings from the Everton game and we can get the three points.

"We focus on the details [of the Everton defeat] but not too much because that is when the players overthink and it becomes worse."

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Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nüsken has been directly involved in seven goals across her three WSL starts against Brighton (five goals, two assists), which includes a hat-trick in October 2023 and a double in December 2024.

She warmed up for today's match by converting a penalty in the 6-0 thrashing of Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Could Nüsken play a key role again today?

Chelsea have taken 21 points from 10 WSL games this season (six wins, three draws, one defeat), which is their lowest points tally at this stage of a campaign since 2018-19 (19).

That was the last season Chelsea failed to win the title. Defeat to Brighton today could see them spend the winter break nine points off top spot.

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Manchester City defender Rebecca Knaak has signed a contract extension earlier this week which ties her to the club until 2028.

The German international has scored five goals in 16 appearances since joining from FC Rosengard on an initial 18-month deal in January.

Knaak has started the past three Women's Super League matches for City in the absence of injured England defender Alex Greenwood.

The 29-year-old has had an impressive campaign and scored her third goal in as many Manchester derby matches against United last month.

She also made her international debut in February and was part of the Germany squad who came runners-up in this year's Women's Nations League.

"It's the club I love and the club I want to be successful at," said Knaak.

"I have so much unfinished business to be done. It feels like home to me now and I feel this is where I belong and I'm meant to be."

Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC Women's Football Weekly

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I think Bunny Shaw's amazing attribute is that she can create her own opportunities as well. She can create something out of nothing. She has amazing wingers either side. Vivianne Miedema behind her at the number 10. Amazing full-backs.

When you have players behind you who want to put it into the box. The way she can swivel her hips so quickly for someone that is so tall, and hit the ball so clean is impressive. She is always in a position to have a shot. The team are able to give her many opportunities in the game.

Manchester City

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Since a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on the opening night of the season, Man City have been a winning machine.

The Blues have hit their stride under Andree Jeglertz, who has breathed new life into the side since arriving at Joie Stadium in the summer.

Today they have a chance to make it ten league wins in a row and extend their lead at the top of the table to six points going into the winter break.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Joie Stadium

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It was a big win for visitors Aston Villa on Thursday as they comfortably beat struggling Liverpool at Villa Park.

It was their first home victory of the season and gives Natalia Arroyo a boost going into the Christmas break.

She said beforehand she wanted Villa to create a "winning culture" and that means building on that victory.

They have shown progress this season - but also inconsistency. Fans will be hoping they bring their best today to test Manchester City.

Lucy Parker's timely return, having started back-to-back games now, is a positive, while captain Rachel Daly was in hot form on Thursday with two goals - the first after just 27 seconds.

BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

If you're out and about this afternoon or simply enjoy following football on audio, then you're in luck.

Aston Villa's trip to league leaders Man City is on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 11:45 GMT ahead of kick off at 11:55 GMT.

Liverpool

Today's game in East London marks Liverpool's third away fixture in the past eight days.

They've lost the last two, falling 2-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates last Saturday before being thumped 3-0 by Aston Villa at Villa Park on Thursday, which was later described by boss Gareth Taylor as a "reality check".

They'll be hoping to avoid making it a hat-trick of away losses against West Ham.

London City Lionesses

London City boss Jocelyn Precheur and his side will be looking to bounce back from their defeat by Brighton last weekend.

He said his team need "a better performance with better cohesion."

“Everyone is very motivated and seems ready to respond and have a better performance with better cohesion. This is where we need to improve, especially on Sunday and for the rest of the season," he said in his pre-match news conference.

He added: “Sometimes it is hard to explain to players the project as it is bigger than everyone, including me."

“It is a project that is massive and very exciting, and we are all here to make sure this project is successful, especially as we are the first independent Women’s football club. It is important for us to be successful and maybe show the way for other projects.”

Leicester City

Leicester are currently 10th in the Women's Super League, four points ahead of bottom-placed Liverpool.

With Liverpool and fellow struggers West Ham meeting this afternoon, Leicester will want to make the most of the final game before the winter break and increase their buffer at the bottom of the table.

A point today would be their first since 9 November, where they drew with West Ham.

The Foxes are yet to win in the league this season – but they have beaten London City already in the League Cup.

Jen Beattie
Former Man City defender on BBC Women's Football Weekly

The fact that Chelsea are chasing City now has made it a bit more of a worry but Sonia Bompastor said it herself, I don't think there was anything wrong with their performance against Everton.

They did everything to win. Yes, can they be more clinical? Can they finish? I don't think it needs to be too much of a bigger picture.

Last weekend marked a big moment for Chelsea – their first league defeat under manager Sonia Bompastor, their first defeat since May 2024.

It also means that are now six points behind leaders Manchester City, putting them in a difficult situation in the title race as the league reaches its winter break.