Everton welcome Birmingham City to Goodison Park on Sunday in the final [Women’s Super League](https://womenfootball.blog/womens-super-league-table-standings/) fixture before the international break. Scott Phelan’s side are looking to respond to their Merseyside derby defeat, while Birmingham are still searching for their first league victory since returning to the top flight.
The teams already know each other well. Everton beat Birmingham 2-0 in the Subway Players Cup less than two weeks ago, although both managers will expect a different contest when league points are at stake.
**Competition**: Women’s Super League
**Fixture**: Everton Women vs Birmingham City Women
**Date**: Sunday, 4 October 2026
**Kick-off**: 3pm BST
**Venue**: Goodison Park
The match will be available in the UK through Sky Sports and the [WSL YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@BarclaysWSL).
Availability can differ internationally, so supporters outside the UK should check their local WSL broadcast listings.
Everton enter the weekend seventh in the WSL with six points from their opening four matches.
Their most recent league outing ended in a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield. Beata Olsson headed Liverpool ahead after only four minutes before Cornelia Kapocs secured the points late on.
Everton did create opportunities, with Hannah Cain and Holly McNamara among those going close, but Phelan acknowledged that his team still need to improve in the final third.
“We have managed to win games, which is the most important stat,” he said ahead of Sunday. “The final part is something we will work on and improve on sooner rather than later.”
The Everton head coach has also warned against reading too much into the recent 2-0 cup victory over Birmingham, saying his team would be “foolish to take any certainties” from that meeting.
One positive from the derby was the return of captain Megan Finnigan, who made her first WSL appearance in 609 days.
Birmingham have collected two points from their first four league games and begin the weekend 12th.
Amy Merricks has nevertheless been encouraged by elements of their performances, particularly last weekend’s display against Crystal Palace. Her challenge now is for Birmingham to maintain that level for longer periods and turn competitive performances into points.
There were certainly attacking positives in Wednesday’s dramatic 4-3 Players Cup defeat to Liverpool. Marie Levasseur, Lee Geum-Min and Wilma Leidhammar all scored, with Birmingham twice coming from behind and at one stage taking the lead. Natalia Ramos eventually won it for Liverpool from a stoppage-time corner.
That performance demonstrated considerably more attacking threat than Birmingham showed in their previous meeting with Everton, and Merricks wants her side to play with greater intensity and show more of their identity this time.
Everton have not announced any major new availability concerns in the information provided ahead of the match. Finnigan’s return gives Phelan another defensive option, while Noemie Mouchon also made her competitive Everton debut against Liverpool.
Birmingham used Wednesday’s cup game to rotate their squad. Lee Geum-Min, Rebecca McKenna and Lily Crosthwaite were all introduced at half-time and helped change the game, while Neve Herron also featured from the bench. That gives Merricks several decisions to make before Sunday’s return to Goodison Park.
**Everton predicted XI (4-2-3-1)**: Brosnan; Blundell, Layzell, Silcock, Kitagawa; Mace, Van Gool; Cain, Kramzar, Vignola; McNamara.
Phelan could make changes after the derby, particularly in attack, but much of the side that started at Anfield should remain intact.
**Birmingham City predicted XI (4-2-3-1)**: Thomas; Harris, Turner, Cooke, Levasseur; Naalsund, Cornet; Sarri, Leidhammar, McKenna; Geum-Min.
Birmingham’s cup selection makes their XI slightly harder to predict, but Lee’s impact against Liverpool strengthens her case to return to the starting side.
The pressure is greater on Everton to dictate this match at home, but Birmingham showed against Liverpool that they can create chances when they play with confidence.
Everton’s biggest concern is turning possession and promising attacking positions into goals. Birmingham, meanwhile, need to avoid the defensive lapses that have repeatedly made life difficult during their opening weeks back in the WSL.
The recent 2-0 cup result makes Everton favourites, but Sunday’s meeting could be much closer if Birmingham reproduce the attacking intent they showed in midweek.
Prediction: Everton 2-2 Birmingham City