Khadija Shaw scored twice as Manchester City beat Hammarby 2-1 to seal their place in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals.

Gareth Taylor's team entered Thursday's game with a perfect record in Group D, and their fourth win in as many European matches ensured they finished in the top two.

Shaw—the leading scorer in the Women's Super League this season with eight goals—put them ahead in the 31st minute, driving into the area after taking in Yui Hasegawa's pass before seeing her shot deflect into the top corner.

Shaw was booked for celebrating in front of the home fans despite appearing to have objects thrown at her from the stands, and Hammarby should have levelled when Julia Blakstad fired wide 10 minutes later.

The hosts did draw level three minutes into the second half as Ellen Wangerheim tapped home while City's Laura Blindkilde Brown was down appealing for a free-kick. 

That parity was short-lived, though, as Shaw blasted into the top corner from 25 yards out, taking her overall tally for this season to 12 goals in all competitions.

In Group C, meanwhile, Bayern Munich lost their perfect record as they played out a 1-1 draw with Valerenga, boosting Arsenal's hopes of topping the pile.

Jovana Damnjanovic came off the bench to put Bayern ahead 15 minutes from time in Norway, but Elise Thorsnes headed home following an 88th-minute corner to snatch a point for the hosts.

Arsenal could now move within a point of Bayern when they face Juventus in Group C's other match later on Thursday.

With Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz failing to register a win since beating Panama at last year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup, Head coach Hubert Busby says the two highly anticipated home friendlies against South Africa represent an opportunity to turnaround their poor run of form.

Though focused on more than just immediate results, Busby pointed out that victory in upcoming matches is part of a larger vision—a journey toward a third-consecutive World Cup appearance in 2027 and the continued development of a sustainable, competitive program for Jamaica’s women’s football.

The Girlz will take on South Africa at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on November 29 and December 2, in what will be their first matches on home soil since November 2022. It will also be the first game in Jamaica for the core group of the 2023 World Cup squad since last September’s Olympic qualifying playoff against Canada.

“It’s special to have the girls back playing in front of our fans. This is an opportunity to connect with the home crowd again, but it’s also a critical step in our preparation for what’s ahead,” Busby shared as he unveiled his 23-member squad.

“We're looking to have a good performance, then that leads to, obviously, a good result to end the year, but really it is also about us continuing to evaluate and to make the proper assessment of the players who continue to kind of move forward into World Cup qualifiers. I mean, that's really the bigger picture. So short term, let's get two good performances this week...two good results and take that into the February window,” he added.

Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw has been in good form for Manchester City.

Busby’s approach reflects his determination to build on recent experiences, including lessons learned from challenging matches against top-tier opponents like Brazil and more recently, France.

Despite a compressed six-day camp prior to that encounter, in which they lost 0-3, he noted the progress made in refining their style of play, particularly in maintaining possession and executing defensive transitions.

“We didn’t get the result we wanted against France, but there were positives, especially in how we’re evolving our style of play—keeping possession and building from the back. But we need to cut down on individual mistakes and improve decision-making in critical moments. Football is a game of moments, and minimizing mistakes during crucial periods is a key focus for us,” he noted.

With the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil as the ultimate target, Busby has been focused on establishing a winning culture while integrating new talent into the team.

For the last camp, he invited Taylor Hinds, Lulu Jarvis, Reanna Blades, and Natasha Thomas in to see how they fit into the programme, but none of those players are listed for the upcoming camp, in which national youth representative Destiny Powell and Naya Cardoza will be the only new players among the core group.

The coach stressed that his job is not just to guide the team to their third consecutive World Cup but to lay the groundwork for Jamaica’s participation in every World Cup thereafter, hence the consistent inclusion of young talent.

“It’s not just about Brazil in 2027. It’s about creating a sustainable pipeline of talent so we’re always competitive because their growth today will fuel our success tomorrow. So it's really important to get these young players in,” Busby shared.

“My responsibility is to get this team to the 2027 World Cup, but with that said, you know, we want to ensure that we're going to every single World Cup afterwards. Integrating young, talented players into the group to see where they are keeps the group fresh and challenges the group to keep it competitive. The success that we've had in the past, the average age, I believe was about 26 years of age, so they'll probably be about 28 going forward,” he explained.

One of the most exciting elements of the upcoming friendlies is the return of Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, who has been in rich form for Manchester City.

Busby, while highlighting her influence, both as a leader and a prolific scorer, as key to the team’s offensive strategy, also emphasized that the team’s success needs to be rooted in defence as former captain Konya Plummer, left full-back/winger Siobhan Wilson, and defensive midfielder Peyton McNamara also make a return to the fold. Wilson recently recovered from an ACL injury.

Siobhan Wilson makes a long-awaited return after an ACL injury kept her out of action for nine months.

“One of our objectives is to keep a clean sheet. Being good defensively has been the basis of our foundation of success without a doubt, but the biggest inclusion in this group is leader ‘Bunny’ Shaw. She's been in great form, as we all know, so it gives us another option up front to go around with all the as to go along with the other attacking options we have. But having her back in the group helps tremendously,” the tactician declared.

Like the Reggae Girlz, South Africa are also fresh off their participation in the 2023 World Cup, and Busby expects the games to be another tough challenge for his side, much like it was in their last meeting in 2019 when they played out a 1-1 stalemate in Durban.

“Going into these two games against a great-quality opponent in South Africa still gives us a really good litmus test in terms of where we are and, more importantly, where we need to go. So that is the objective. We want to get the wins. We want to improve performance. And we're hoping that these next two games will see a much more improved performance than we have before, that's for sure,” Busby ended. 

Squad: Rebecca spencer, Liya Brooks, Allyson Swaby, Konya Plummer, Naya Cardoza, Vyan Sampson, Chantelle Swaby, Deneisha Blackwood, Siobhan Wilson, Atlanta Primus, Destiny Powell, Peyton McNamara, Jade Bailey Drew Spence, Paige Bailey-Gayle, Olufolasade Adamolekun, Khadija Shaw, Kayla McKenna, Davia Richards, Jody Brown, Shania Hayles, Shaniel Buckley, Tiffany Cameron

Reggae Girl Khadija "Bunny" Shaw delivered a historic performance on Friday, scoring a hat-trick that led Manchester City Women to a dominant 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur Women in the Barclays Women's Super League (WSL). Shaw's incredible feat helped City extend their lead at the top of the table, reaching 19 points, four clear of Chelsea, who have played two games fewer.

Shaw, who has now scored seven goals in the league this season, wasted no time asserting her dominance, scoring just moments after kick-off. Bursting through on goal, she slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving City an immediate 1-0 lead. In the 15th minute, Shaw struck again, towering over defenders to head home a looping cross from Lauren Hemp. Tottenham’s goalkeeper and fellow Jamaican, Rebecca Spencer, got a hand to it, but Shaw's powerful header proved unstoppable.

City continued to apply pressure, and in the 66th minute, Jill Roord added to the scoreline. After evading a challenge, Hemp found Roord in the box, who shifted the ball onto her left foot and fired it into the roof of the net, making it 3-0. Just a minute later, Shaw completed her hat-trick. Hemp, instrumental throughout, drove down the byline and delivered a precise cross into the box, where Shaw was perfectly positioned to knock it home.

Shaw's hat-trick set new records in the WSL. She became the first player to record three hat-tricks against the same team and broke her teammate Vivianne Miedema’s record with her sixth career hat-trick in the league.

Facing her fellow Reggae Girlz teammates Drew Spence and Rebecca Spencer, Shaw showed why she is one of the most prolific strikers in the league, continuing to propel Manchester City to the top of the WSL standings with her record-breaking performance.

Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz Head coach Hubert Busby and standout defender Allyson Swaby are confident that the team is ready for the challenge to come against France when the two cross swords in a friendly international at the Stade Auguste-Bonal on Friday.

The contest, which will be a repeat of their 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup clash, is scheduled for 2:10pm Jamaica time.

Whether the 42nd-ranked Girlz will be able to hold their number 10-ranked hosts to another goalless stalemate like they did at last year’s global showpiece is left to be seen.

Still, regardless of the outcome, Busby pointed out that the encounter represents not only a test against a top European side but also a significant opportunity for his team to continue its growth on the global stage, as well as for the newcomers—Taylor Hinds, Lulu Jarvis, Reanna Blades, and Natasha Thomas—in particular to fit in and show that they belong.

“This game is about testing ourselves against the best. Obviously, France is a powerhouse in women’s football, and for us, playing against a team of this calibre will help us assess where we are in terms of our playing model. I think it's important for us to also continue to build on our playing principles so that we can ensure that we're flexible in and out of possession,” he told SportsMax.Tv.

“But I am feeling good about how things are looking so far. The players have responded really well. We had some intense sessions with a lot of information in a short period of time, but they responded well. This is a good group that takes on information and looks to apply, so we look forward to a good game tomorrow (Friday),” Busby added.

Busby emphasized the importance of these international fixtures in building momentum for future competitions, especially as the Reggae Girlz set their sights on qualifying for a third consecutive World Cup in 2027.  

Following this French encounter, the Girlz will lock horns with now number 50-ranked South Africa on November 29 and December 2 in Jamaica.

“Yes, results are always the main thing at senior international play, but the longer-term picture is for us to be successful come next year when we're in our first round of qualifying for the World Cup. I think that's really the main goal is for us to be peaking at that sort of time, heading into those qualifiers,” Busby declared.

“So, the experience we gain from playing these high-profile matches is invaluable. Our goal is to continue improving and competing at the highest level, and these games help us grow and understand what we need to do to close the gap on those ahead of us in particular,” he noted.

Allyson Swaby, one of the team’s most experienced players, echoed her coach’s sentiments.

The central defender, who plies her trade in Italy with AC Milan, believes the Reggae Girlz are more than up for the task.

“I think the team looks good; everyone is happy to be back together first and foremost, and its always exciting when we’re going to play strong opposition. So, I think everyone is just looking forward to a good test and just getting back into the swing of things together,” Swaby shared.

Swaby also noted that the team has grown in confidence over the past few years, especially after their successful World Cup campaign last year, where they contested the knockout round for the first time in the programme’s history.

“It is always good to play against teams like this. I think the group is excited to play France, especially when a lot of us are in mid-season. So, having that confidence of the routine of training day in and day out coming here, I feel like once you’re in your best form, it gives you that psychological edge to compete against teams like this,” she said.

Despite the absence of talismanic striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw due to issues with her passport, Swaby highlighted the depth of the squad, which is a blend of experienced players and new recruits who are eager to make their mark on the international scene.

“It is really important to see that the pool continues to grow; it brings competition to everyone that’s already here, and it expands the reach of the team globally to continue to take players from all across the world to represent Jamaica. So it helps tremendously to get new faces in and keep everybody sharp and competing at all times,” she ended.

Despite naming a few newcomers in his squad to face France in a much-anticipated friendly, senior Reggae Girlz Head Coach Hubert Busby says the objective remains to continue building out a playing model to ensure they improve their competitiveness ahead of next year’s World Cup qualifiers.

Busby will be without talismanic striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and defender Konya Plummer for the October 25 encounter away to France due to passport issues.

However, the tactician believes the absence of those two key players, as well as his university representatives, provides an opportunity for the newcomers—Taylor Hinds, Lulu Jarvis, Reanna Blades, and Natasha Thomas—in particular to fit in and show that they belong.

“So we're really excited. We'd spoken to Taylor Hinds a few years ago and we're glad that she's in our squad to come in and embed within what we're trying to do. Lulu Jarvis is another young player that we've been monitoring; she just made a move from Brighton to Plymouth. At 20 years of age, she's another up-and-coming player,” Busby shared during a virtual press conference on Friday.

He continued: “The same with Reanna Blades, who was on the books of Chelsea but just moved to Burnley. I credit a lot of these players who, it might seem like they are dropping down a level, but they're looking to invest in themselves and to play as opposed to necessarily stagnate their growth and development by staying at what would be considered a bigger club but not necessarily getting the minutes that they need.

Reggae Girlz in action against France at last year's World Cup.

“Natasha Thomas is someone who's kind of reached out. We've been monitoring her well, so we're looking to bring her in and see how she fits in. Davia Richards has come through the programme and has done well with Frazsiers Whip through all those different experiences. We're looking to see how she fits in with this group as well as we continue to evaluate all the players from the Gold Cup (qualifiers).”

These fresh faces are expected to bring energy and a renewed sense of competition, something Busby believes is crucial as the team builds toward future challenges, including the 2025 World Cup qualifiers.

In fact, he believes the squad strikes the right balance, as the experience of Allyson Swaby, Jody Brown, Drew Spence, and others will be vital against a formidable French side ranked among the best in the world.

The two teams last met at last year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia, where the gritty Girlz held their more illustrious opponents to a goalless stalemate.

“The expectation really is for us to continue to work on our playing model. I think it's important for us to also continue to build on our playing principles so that we can ensure that we're flexible in and out of possession. We want to be a team that continues to use the ball and is known for a good defensive base,” Busby reasoned.

“So the most important thing is, yes, results are always the main thing at senior international play, but the longer-term picture is for us to be successful come next year when we're in our first round of qualifying for the World Cup. I think that's really the main goal is for us to be peaking at that sort of time, heading into those qualifiers,” he added.

Deon Burton to serve as Reggae Girlz assistant coach.

That said, Busby pointed out that this friendly against France, as well as the two against South Africa on November 29 and December 2 in Jamaica, are the stern tests he requires in a bid to build a team capable of sustained success on the world stage.

“We are deliberate in the games that we're playing and trying to play as many top ten, top 20 opponents as possible to ensure that we are tested heading into World Cup qualifiers in arguably one of the top confederations in the world when it comes to women's football. So, a lot of work has gone into it and obviously, we're looking forward to this camp and looking forward to taking a look at some players and embedding some, even some new staff, into the programme as well,” the former national goalkeeper noted.

That new staff Busby refers to is former Reggae Boy Deon Burton coming aboard as an assistant, joining Xavier Gilbert in the position, while Renee Balconi of Houston Dash will be the Girlz strength and conditioning coach.

Squad: Rebecca spencer, Sydney Schneider, Chantelle Swaby, Allyson Swaby, Taylor Hinds, Deneisha Blackwood, Vyan Sampson, Maliah Atkins, Lulu Jarvis, Atlanta Primus, Jade Bailey, Drew Spence, Sade Adamolekun Reanna Blades, Natasha Thomas, Paige Bailey-Gayle, Kayla McKenna, Jody Brown, Shania Hayles, Tiffany Cameron, Davia Richards, Mikayla Dayes

Khadija Shaw continued her impressive form, scoring twice, including a dramatic 92nd-minute winner, to lead Manchester City Women to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Women’s Super League on Sunday. The victory moved City to the top of the league table with 10 points from four matches.

Shaw, who has been instrumental for City this season, was the difference-maker once again as her late header sealed all three points for her team in a hard-fought contest at Anfield. City came into the game on a high, following up their recent win over Barcelona with another statement performance.

Liverpool opened the scoring with Olivia Smith's long-range effort, a right-footed strike from outside the box that gave the hosts the lead. City responded through Shaw, who leveled the match with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, finishing expertly in the top right corner after a precise through ball from Laia Aleixandri.

Shaw nearly put City ahead earlier when her left-footed shot struck the post, following another assist from Aleixandri. However, it wasn’t until injury time that Shaw finally completed the comeback. In the 92nd minute, Lauren Hemp delivered a perfect cross from the wing, and Shaw rose highest to head the ball into the bottom left corner, sealing a dramatic victory for City.

The win propels Manchester City to the top of the table with 10 points, though they have played one more game than Chelsea, Manchester United, and Brighton and Hove Albion, all of whom are on nine points after three games.

With Shaw continuing her red-hot form, City look well-positioned for a strong title challenge this season.

Despite achieving much of what she set out to already, Reggae Girl and Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw intends to keep pushing the barriers and she hopes to inspire others to chase their dreams.

Shaw, who has overcome her fair share of obstacles and tragedies to get to where she is at, has been a role model for young athletes in Jamaica and the Caribbean, particularly aspiring women’s football players, as she continues to impress on the international stage and in the Women's Super League (WSL) since her move to City in 2021.

The 27-year-old ended last season as the WSL’s top scorer, assisting the Gareth Taylor-coached side to the runners-up position behind champions Chelsea, merely on goal difference.

Her performances throughout that campaign, which was cut short by a broken leg, also saw her cop the PFA Women's Players' Player of the year and the FWA Women's Footballer of the Year awards.

"When I look back at my childhood, I didn’t really have a lot of people I could look to, apart from Usain Bolt, of course. I didn’t have a lot of people who I could look to and say, ‘I want to be like that.’ One of the main reasons was that I wasn’t really allowed to play," Shaw said in an interview with BBC Sport.

“Now, looking at where the game is and where it is going, I think there is more room for that. For me, it’s just being alive and being in the moment. It’s staying true to who I am. Hopefully, by doing that each and every day, it works out in the end,” she added.

Black History Month in England, celebrated throughout the month of October, continues to shine a spotlight on athletes who have broken barriers to achieve success.

With her accolades and accomplishments speaking for themselves, Shaw is aiming to continue setting the standard for others to follow.

"I just try to be the best I can be and hope that by doing that, there are others looking on [who can] see that if I can do it, then it’s possible. Hopefully I can inspire a lot of the young girls back home in Jamaica that it is definitely possible,” the two-time Ballon d'Or award nominee shared.

"It’s been a long journey for me. I had to travel around the world to get here. Now I am here, I’m just embracing the moment and loving every part of it. The ups and downs are parts of life and that’s how you grow as a person. But I just try to be the best that I can and hopefully inspire more girls,” Shaw noted.

Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw's 44th-minute strike gave Manchester City Women their first win of the 2024/25 Women's Super League (WSL) season, as they edged Brighton 1-0 at Joie Stadium in an early kick-off on Sunday. Shaw's goal, her first of the new campaign, was the decisive factor in a match dominated by City from start to finish.

The Jamaican forward pounced just before half-time, expertly converting Kirstin Casparij’s cross from the left wing. Shaw made a well-timed run across her defender to poke the ball home, breaking the deadlock and giving City a well-deserved lead going into the break.

Despite their dominance, City failed to capitalize on several chances to extend their lead throughout the second half. Brighton, while showing brief moments of attacking intent, struggled to maintain possession, often creating their own problems by playing out from the back under intense pressure from City.

It was far from a perfect performance by Gareth Taylor’s side, but the win secured their first three points of the season.

In the closing stages of the match, there was concern for City as Shaw went down injured and was eventually forced off the pitch. She was replaced by Mary Fowler, but the extent of Shaw's injury remains unclear.

After missing out on the first leg due to visa issues, Jamaican international Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw once again showed her class in second leg action, as she scored a brace that propelled Manchester City to a 3-0 win over Paris FC and into the Women’s Champions League group stages.

Gareth Taylor said Manchester City are back “where they belong” after they finally ended their disappointing streak in Europe’s top club competition and reaching the, by completing a comprehensive 8-0 aggregate ­victory over Paris FC.

Shaw found the target in the 31st and 65th minutes, after Chloe Kelly (2nd) opened the scoring in a lopsided contest at the Joie Stadium, as City wrapped up a comprehensive 8-0 aggregate scoreline.

Taylor’s confident-looking side were not involved in Europe at all last season and had been eliminated by Real Madrid in the qualifying rounds of the two campaigns before that. They will now contest the last-16 stage of the competition for the first time since 2020-21, when the knockout format was still in use, and will harbour realistic ambitions of going deep into the competition on the evidence of their strong showing over the two legs of this second-round tie.

“It’s a big honour for us. This is where we want to be. The qualification process is really tough. I’m not the only coach, I’m sure, who has sat, over the past couple of years, with a squad that felt capable of not just being in the Champions League, but actually doing something within it,” Taylor said in a post-game interview.

“Man City is a big club. We feel like we belong there, because we are a big team and we have huge ambitions, but of course the club recognises how difficult it is to be there because of the qualification process. I never felt safe, even at 5-0. A lot of things can go wrong in football. Nothing is a formality,” he added.

Kelly put City in front when she pounced on a loose ball and slotted home inside five minutes.

She then turned provider for Shaw with a weighted cross that the towering Jamaican lashed home for her first goal of the season.

Shaw then registered her second from the penalty spot after she was taken out inside the 18-yard box.

Manchester City, who were semi-finalists in 2017 and 2018, can now look forward to the group-stage draw on Friday and Taylor is cautiously optimistic about their chances there.

“I think getting out of the group stages is going to be our next objective, and once we get out of the group stages, anything can happen. We just want a crack at it, that’s what we want,” he said.

The latest instalment of the Women's Super League returns this weekend, with the opening round of fixtures offering plenty of insight as to what this season may hold. 

Sonia Bompastor started her quest for Chelsea's sixth straight title with a triumph against Aston Villa, with the Blues again kickstarting the action on matchday two.

The defending champions make the short journey to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, while Sunday's action features both Manchester City and Arsenal after their enthralling encounter at the Emirates. 

Elsewhere, Manchester United will be hoping to build on their emphatic first week showing against Everton, with Liverpool and West Ham squaring off in their attempts to get their respective campaigns up and running. 

But who does the Opta supercomputer predict will emerge victorious this time around? 

CRYSTAL PALACE V CHELSEA

Bompastor started her tenure as Chelsea head coach with a win, but the Blues were made to work for their triumph at Kingsmeadow in last week's curtain-raiser. 

However, Chelsea remain overwhelming favourites to stay perfect against newly-promoted Crystal Palace, winning 88.4% of the supercomputer's pre-match simulations, compared to 7.3% for their opponents.

Chelsea have also won each of their last eight games without conceding when facing an opponent for the first time in the WSL, last losing 4-0 away to Sunderland in July 2015.

But despite their dominance under Emma Hayes, the Blues have failed to win their opening away game in each of the last six WSL seasons (D4 L2), since beating the Black Cats 6-0 in the 2017-18 campaign.

MANCHESTER CITY V BRIGHTON

On Sunday, Brighton are the opponents as Gareth Taylor's City aim to get their first win on the board following last week's 2-2 draw at Arsenal.

Despite the visitors starting their own campaign with a 4-0 triumph against Everton, the Seagulls are handed just a 4.5% chance of a victory in our pre-match simulations, with the Citizens given a huge 87.3% win probability. 

However, City hold a favourable record over their opponents, winning nine of their 11 WSL meetings with Brighton, but they did lose this exact fixture last season 1-0 (D1). 

Vivianne Miedema found the net on her Citizens debut last week, and she has had a hand in 15 goals in 10 games against Brighton (seven goals and eight assists) with only Miedema herself against Bristol City (14 goals and five assists) having more goals and assists combined against a single club in WSL history.

EVERTON V MANCHESTER UNITED 

After putting West Ham to the sword in their opening game of the new season, United arrive at Walton Hall Park with confidence ahead of facing Everton. 

The Red Devils have been given a 58.7% chance of emerging victorious, while the Toffees are predicted at 20.2% to win, with the likelihood of a draw coming in at 21.1%.

United have won their opening away game in each of their last four WSL seasons, including all three under Marc Skinner, while also prevailing in four of their five away league games against Everton, including a 5-0 win in this fixture last season, their biggest ever success on the road in the competition.

Everton have never beaten United in 10 previous WSL meetings (D2 L8), with Man City the only other team the Toffees have failed to beat in the competition (P16 L16).

LEICESTER V ARSENAL

After a thrilling encounter with Man City last time out, Jonas Eidevall's Arsenal travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester, looking to get their title charge up and running.

The visitors are assigned a 74.7% chance of a win, with the Foxes victorious in 11% of our pre-match simulations and 14.3% finishing all square.

One player for Leicester to watch out for will be Alessia Russo. She has scored in each of her last four WSL appearances against the Foxes, including a hat-trick for Man United last year – the striker has scored more top-flight goals against the Foxes (six) than any other opponent.  

The Foxes have lost all six of their WSL games against Arsenal by an aggregate scoreline of 23-2, conceding four or more goals in four of those games.

WEST HAM V LIVERPOOL 

Following on from the men's EFL Cup clash in midweek, West Ham's women welcome Liverpool to the Chigwell Construction Stadium, with both in search of three points.

But it is the Reds who are favoured in the pre-match simulations, winning 46.2% of those, while the Hammers are given a 29.2% chance of a win, with a draw given a 24.6% chance of happening. 

West Ham have won just one of their last 17 home matches in the WSL (D7 L9), having won six of their previous 17 such games in the competition (D4 L7).

But Liverpool have not enjoyed recent trips to the capital, winning just one of their last 12 away WSL games in London (D3 L8), beating Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates last year.

ASTON VILLA V TOTTENHAM

The weekend's action concludes at Villa Park, with Aston Villa's gutsy showing against defending champions Chelsea making them favourites against Tottenham. 

Robert de Pauw's side were victorious in 43.8% of our pre-match simulations. Spurs are given a 29.4% chance of victory, and 26.8% chance of earning a point. 

Spurs, however, are unbeaten in their last three away games in the WSL (W2 D1) with their final two matches on the road last season ending 2-2 (vs. Man United and Everton) - no team has ever avoided defeat in three consecutive away games in the competition when also conceding multiple goals.

Villa have lost just one of their last five WSL meetings against this weekend's opponents (W3 D1), but that sole loss did come in this fixture last season, losing 4-2 at the Bescot Stadium.

Manchester City will be without their star forward Khadija "Bunny" Shaw for Wednesday night's crucial Champions League qualifier against Paris FC due to a failure to secure her visa on time. Shaw did not travel to France for the first leg of the round two qualifying match despite last-minute efforts to expedite the process.

 According to a report in the Guardian newspaper, sources indicate that the Jamaica forward was sent to the French embassy on Tuesday morning in a bid to secure an expedited visa application, but the request was ultimately refused. While Manchester City has denied that Shaw was asked to secure a late visa, the club is reportedly confident that this setback will not affect future matches.

 City's road to the Champions League group stage has been rocky over the past three seasons. They failed to qualify for the group stage in each of those campaigns, crashing out in the qualifying rounds to Real Madrid in two seasons and finishing fourth in the Women's Super League (WSL) in the 2022-23 season, thereby missing out on automatic qualification. The absence of Shaw in this critical match against a formidable Paris FC side could pose a significant challenge to their qualification hopes this year.

 Paris FC is no stranger to tough competition; last season, they eliminated both Arsenal and Wolfsburg to advance to the group stage, where they finished third in Group D ahead of Real Madrid. Their impressive campaign included two wins over Madrid and competitive performances against top teams like Häcken and Chelsea. With such a formidable opponent, City will undoubtedly feel the impact of Shaw's absence, despite the arrival of Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema from Arsenal.

 Shaw's absence is particularly notable given her remarkable form in the WSL last season. She was the league's top scorer, netting 21 goals in just 18 games—matching Sam Kerr’s 2021-22 tally and falling just one short of Vivianne Miedema's and Rachel Daly's record 22-goal seasons in 2018-19 and 2022-23, respectively. Her performances earned her multiple accolades, including WSL Player of the Season, the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Women’s Footballer of the Year, and the Football Writers’ Association’s Women’s Footballer of the Year.

 Manchester City will now have to navigate the challenging tie against Paris FC without their most prolific scorer, a setback that adds pressure to their bid for a return to the Champions League group stage. The club will hope that this visa issue is an isolated incident and not a precursor to future complications as they seek to establish their presence in European competition once more.

Jamaica and Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has once again been included on the 30-player shortlist for the Women’s Ballon d’Or, which is considered the most prestigious individual award in world football.

Awarded by French magazine France Football, the winners in each category will be announced at a ceremony scheduled to take place at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris on October 28.

Though she didn’t match her 31 strikes from the 2022/23 campaign, Shaw enjoyed what could be described as her finest Barclay’s Women’s Super League (WSL) season to date last year, breaking individual, club, and league goal records.

The 27-year-old won the WSL Golden Boot with 21 goals in just 18 appearances and also became Manchester City’s record goalscorer when she netted against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in March 2024.

With an impressive turn of pace, remarkable aerial ability, and a clinical finish, Shaw was often the driving force behind City’s attack and was once again named in the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) WSL Team of the Year for 2023/24.

To add to that list, the towering striker, who had her 2023/24 season cut short due to a broken foot, also claimed individual awards in the form of the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Shaw is one of three players from Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City nominated for the prestigious award, with Yui Hasegawa and Lauren Hemp being the others.

The list also includes last year’s winner, Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona.

Full Women’s Ballon d’Or shortlist

Barbra Banda - Shanghai RCB/Orlando Pride

Aitana Bonmati - Barcelona

Lucy Bronze - Barcelona/Chelsea

Mariona Caldentey - Barcelona/Arsenal

Tabitha Chawinga - PSG

Grace Geyoro - PSG

Manuela Giugliano – Roma

Patricia Guijarro - Barcelona

Caroline Graham Hansen - Barcelona

Guilia Gwinn - Bayern Munich

Yui Hasegawa – Manchester City

Ada Hegerberg - Lyon

Lauren Hemp – Manchester City

Lindsey Horan - Lyon

Lauren James - Chelsea

Marie-Antoinette Katoto - PSG

Alyssa Naeher - Chicago Red Stars

Sjoeke Nusken - Chelsea

Ewa Pajor - Wolfsburg/Barcelona

Salma Paralluelo - Barcelona

Gabi Portilho - Corinthians

Alex Putellas - Barcelona

Mayra Ramirez - Chelsea

Trinity Rodman - Washington Spirit

Lea Schuller - Bayern Munich

Khadija Shaw– Manchester City

Sophie Smith - Portland Thorns

Mallory Swanson - Chicago Red Stars

Tarciane - Houston Dash

Glodis Viggosdottir - Bayern Munich

Phil Foden and Cole Palmer won the top men's prizes, while Reggae Girlz and Manchester City striker Khadija "Bunny" Shaw won the top women's prize at the PFA Awards for the 2023-24 season on Tuesday.

Foden took home the Players' Player of the Year award for the first time, while Palmer was named the Young Player of the Year.

The women's Players' Player of the Year honour went to Shaw, with the Young Player of the Year award copped by Grace Clinton.

Two-time Young Player winner Foden had already been announced as the Premier League Player of the Season and the FWA Footballer of the Year.

Following the midweek ceremony, he has now also been recognised by his fellow professionals after starring in Manchester City's fourth straight title triumph.

Ex-City man Palmer had likewise been nominated for the top award after an outstanding first season at Chelsea, in which he netted 22 league goals.

However, Palmer was not included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

Foden made the cut alongside City team-mate Erling Haaland and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins in attack.

There were four City players included, with Kyle Walker and Rodri selected, but the champions were outnumbered by Arsenal's five representatives.

David Raya, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard earned recognition, with Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk completing the XI.

The PFA WSL Team of the Year included both Players' Player of the Year Shaw and Young Player of the Year Clinton.

Shaw was one of six City stars in the XI despite her side being pipped to the title by Chelsea, who could count only three players in the team.

Jamaican superstars Leon Bailey and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw have both been shortlisted in the male and female categories for the Concacaf Player of the Year Awards, following their exploits for both club and country in the 2023–24 campaign.

The nominees, who were selected for the coveted Confederation Award based on performance statistics and the input of football experts, were announced on Tuesday as fan voting also opened to allow football enthusiasts to vote for their favourite players.

To be eligible to be shortlisted, players must have played for a Concacaf Member Association's senior Men's or Women's national team in eligible Concacaf and FIFA competitions and matches. Additionally, regardless of nationality, players must have represented a club in the 2023–24 season in a Concacaf and FIFA-sanctioned top division Men’s or Women’s professional league in the Concacaf region.

Bailey, 26, had a superb season with English Premier League (EPL) outfit Aston Villa last season, in which he earned a few Player of the Month awards. He scored 10 goals and registered nine assists to help the club to a fourth-place finish in the league.

Though his appearances, or lack thereof, on the international scene were marred by controversy, the dynamic winger did enough to make the shortlist, which also includes Adalberto Carrasquilla of Panama and Houston Dynamo.

Jonathan David of Canada and French club Lille; Canada’s and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies; Santiago Gimenez of Mexico and Feyenoord; and American Christian Pulisic, who also represents AC Milan, are the other nominees.

Meanwhile, Reggae Girlz and Manchester City striker Shaw, had an unforgettable 2023–24 season in which she was named the 2023–24 Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) Player of the Season and was named the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Women Footballer of the Year.

The 27-year-old, whose season was cut short due to a broken leg, registered 21 goals in just 18 appearances and also provided three assists.

Shaw was the first player to score three WSL hat-tricks in a calendar year last year, and between November 2023 and January 2024, the forward again registered three trebles in just four matches.

Finding the net in both WSL Manchester derbies, the Jamaican’s clinical finish at the Etihad Stadium in March also saw her become City’s record goalscorer, as she swept past Georgia Stanway in the process.

By all indications, Shaw, who won the Concacaf Player of the Year award in 2022, seems set to repeat the feat on this occasion, but she will have five other nominees to contend with.

They are Charlyn Corral of Mexico and Pachuca Femenil; Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay of Olympique Lyonnais; Adriana Leon of Canada and Aston Villa women; Mexico’s Jacqueline Ovalle of Mexico and Tigres Femenil; and American Sophia Smith of Portland Thorns.

The voting process, which includes players, coaches, media, and fans, will determine the winners.

A total of 100 votes will conclude the process, with 41 votes to be cast by Men’s national team head coach—one for each Concacaf Member Association—and 41 Men’s national team captain with the same stipulation.

One vote each for the nine representative members from the Concacaf region will make up the nine media votes, while the remaining nine van votes will come through www.concacaf.com/awards. The player with the most fan votes will receive four votes in the overall voting process, second place three votes, and third place two votes, regardless of how many people vote online.

The process is the same for the Women’s award.

At the conclusion of the voting period, on August 2, the player in each category with the most votes out of the 100 available will be named 2023/24 Concacaf Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year.

It’s a case of picking up where they left off –or at least Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz will try to do so against Brazil at the Arena de Pernambuco in Recife on Saturday at 3:00pm Jamaica time.

While they held the South American powerhouse to a goalless stalemate at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, the Girlz were on a more competitive war path back then with much to prove.

The same cannot be said about the team on this occasion, as this encounter will mark the first assignment together for that World Cup core group in almost nine months. This, as they last played together in September last year when they lost to Canada in the Olympic qualifying playoff.

Though their confidence is high, the 42nd-ranked Jamaicans will be up against a more youthful Brazilian outfit, as the number 10-ranked nation is gradually transitioning from its veterans Marta, Tamires and Cristiane, just to name a few. In fact, this two-match friendly series which is part of Brazil’s preparation for the Olympic Games in Paris, are expected to mark the official sendoff of the legendary Marta, into retirement.

Still, Reggae Girlz defender Deneisha Blackwood is backing the team to give a good account in the Brazilians backyard.

“Both countries are a lot similar in terms of physicality and technical abilities, so I feel it's a good game for us to bring back our team forward again. In terms of scoreline, I can't really predict what the score line will be, but I can promise that it's going to be a good game,” Blackwood said during a pre-game conference on Friday.

“Our team is very good in terms of the camaraderie, so the moment we got back together, it's like we never left. Yes, we haven't been together for the last nine months, but you couldn't tell. I feel like our group is just so well put together. Obviously, every team has its challenges, but I feel like our mindset when we're together is always to be better, so whether we're apart for nine months or two months, it's just always been a good team environment,” she added.

Meanwhile, Head coach Hubert Busby explained that while they will be seeking to build on their defensive fortitude that earned the historic draws against France and Brazil at last year’s showpiece, he is also hoping to execute a possession based tactic.

“I think it (our defence) is a platform on which we built a lot of our success at last year’s World Cup, and even prior to that. So I think it's one of the things that we'll continue to do. The game is played in many different phases, but you always give yourself a good opportunity to be successful with a good defensive platform, and so that will continue as well because good defensive platform is needed against a very good technical Brazilian team,” Busby shared. 

That said, Busby pointed out that Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s presence is certainly missed, but in the same breath he argued that the prolific Manchester City striker's absence also presents an opportunity for other players to step up and showcase the squad’s depth.

“Injuries happen and unfortunately she [Shaw] is not able to be with us, but we have a really good depth and a really good squad and so we know another player will step up. We have more than enough players to come in and give us different qualities from what she [Shaw] gives us,” the former national goalkeeper reasoned.

“But it is a team we've organized, we've known that she's going to be away for a couple of weeks now, so we've just kind of obviously looked to adapt in terms of how we look to play and what we're looking to do over a longer period of time. So really, the whole process for us is to keep building so that we can be back in this wonderful country in 2027 (for the World Cup),” Busby ended.