by Staff Writer
Saturday, 6th September 2025
West Ham United Women return to Barclays Women’s Super League action on Sunday with the first sell-out of the season at the Betwright Stadium.
The home of Leyton Orient, at Brisbane Road, it’s the venue for the season-opener and the first London derby of the campaign against Tottenham Hotspur.
For Rehanne Skinner’s side, the focus is on building momentum early in the season. The Hammers enjoyed a positive pre-season, opening with a 1–0 win over Sparta Prague before securing a convincing 3–0 victory against Liverpool.
Their final test of the off-season came against Arsenal, where a competitive display ended in a 2–0 defeat after two late goals for the Gunners, rounding off preparations.
Tottenham meanwhile arrive in east London on a high, having gained a morale boosting 4–3 friendly win over Arsenal - even if the Gunners were missing some key players.
That promising performance, along with a 3–1 victory over Southampton in their final pre-season game marks a turnaround for Spurs following a difficult 2024/25 campaign and builds excitement under new head coach Martin Ho.
Key Tottenham players to watch this weekend include Bethany England, the captain, plus main goal threat Martha Thomas, who offers pace and creativity up front.
Additionally, in midfield, Olivia Holdt is Tottenham's most recent signing while Eveliina Summanen has spent the last three season at Spurs and can be a game-changer on her day. Also look out for another summer signing, Tōko Koga, the 19-year-old Japanese defender.
However the introduction of new signings, coupled with experienced figures in the squad, should give the Hammers the edge they need to come out on top on Sunday.
Integral West Ham players to watch this weekend are Viviane Asseyi, the team's creative attacking threat, Shekiera Martinez, last season’s top scorer with 10 WSL goals and Amber Tysiak, a defensive leader preparing for her second full campaign as a Hammer.
In addition, look out for Skinner's four new summer signings - full back Yu Endo and a trio of new attacking options in Ffion Morgan, Sarah Brasero-Carreira and Leila Wandeler, who is yet to make an appearance in a claret and blue shirt.
A fifth pre-season arrival, Hungarian international midfielder Anna Csiki, will be ineligible having moved to West Ham on loan from this weekend's opponents.
The question will be whether West Ham can turn their chances into goals against a Spurs side that has looked sharper in recent weeks.
Recent meetings between the two sides have proved profitable for West Ham, who won 2-1 at Brisbane Road back in January before completing the double, winning the return fixture 2-0 at the Chigwell Construction Stadium in March.
With derby bragging rights on the line, expect an intense and competitive affair at the Betwright Stadium, one that could set the tone for both clubs’ early-season ambitions.
West Ham United possible starting XI: Szemik; Endo, Nystrom, Zadorsky, Hanshaw; Siren, Gorry; Asseyi, Ueki, Piubel; Martinez (4-5-1)
Tottenham possible starting XI: Kop; Hunt, Rybrink, Koga, Nilden; Oroz, Spence; Naz, Thomas, Holdt; England
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