London City Lionesses welcome Everton Women to the CopperJax Community Stadium on Sunday, 18 October 2026, as two of the [Women’s Super League](https://womenfootball.blog/womens-super-league-table-standings/)‘s top-five teams return from the international break.
Eder Maestre’s London City have made an impressive start to the 2026/27 campaign, winning four of their opening five league matches. Everton, meanwhile, sit fifth with nine points and will be looking to build on their victory against Birmingham City.
With London City scoring freely and Everton proving difficult to break down, Sunday’s encounter promises an intriguing tactical battle.
* **Competition:** Women’s Super League 2026/27
* **Date:** Sunday, 18 October 2026
* **Kick-off:** 14:00 BST (15:00 CEST)
* **Venue:** [CopperJax Community Stadium](https://www.londoncitylionesses.com/hayes-lane-directions), Bromley
London City enter the weekend third in the WSL standings with 12 points from five matches, just three behind leaders Manchester City. Their attacking numbers are particularly impressive. The Lionesses have scored 15 goals, averaging three per game, while conceding only five.
Their most recent league outing produced a remarkable 6-1 victory away at Tottenham Hotspur. Alexia Putellas and Kadidiatou Diani both scored twice, while Danielle van de Donk and Delphine Cascarino also found the net.
The result underlined the attacking quality available to Maestre, whose squad has been strengthened by several high-profile additions. London City have also impressed in the Women’s League Cup, recording victories against Ipswich Town and Leicester City.
However, Maestre is refusing to underestimate Sunday’s opponents. Speaking ahead of the match, he described Everton as a strong team with individual players capable of punishing any opponent.
The London City coach also expects the visitors to be more aggressive without possession, making quick decision-making and exploiting mistakes particularly important.
Everton sit fifth with nine points from their opening five WSL fixtures, having recorded three wins and two defeats. Unlike London City, the Toffees have struggled for goals, scoring just four times in the league. However, they have also conceded only four and kept two clean sheets.
Scott Phelan’s side returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City before the international break. Ruby Mace was the standout performer, scoring both Everton goals, including an excellent effort from outside the penalty area.
The victory followed a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool and provided an important boost before the break. Phelan is expecting another demanding encounter against London City.
“They have started the season well and we know it will be a tough test,” he said. The Everton head coach also highlighted London’s pace in transition as a potential danger. For Everton, improving their attacking output without compromising their defensive organisation will be crucial.
Mapi León is a doubt after returning from international duty. Maestre confirmed that the defender’s availability will be assessed close to kick-off, although he hopes the rest of his squad will be ready.
Her potential absence could force a change to the defensive line that started against Tottenham. Elsewhere, goalkeeper Sophie Hillyerd has joined Sheffield United on a two-week emergency loan.
Everton will be without Zara Kramžar after the Slovenian international suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the victory against Birmingham.
Kramžar had started that match in an unfamiliar centre-forward role before being forced off in the first half. Holly McNamara, who replaced her during the game, is a possible candidate to lead the attack on Sunday.
Phelan confirmed that Everton have no fresh injury concerns following the international break. “The players have trained today and are in good spirits and good form,” he said.
**Letellier; Corrales, Arquès, León, Kardinaal; Godfrey, Van de Donk; Fernández, Putellas, Diani; Geyoro.**
London City’s predicted XI is based on the side that defeated Tottenham 6-1. León remains a fitness doubt, so a defensive change is possible if she fails to recover in time.
**Brosnan; Blundell, Layzell, Silcock, Pacheco; Hayashi, Mace; Momiki, Van Gool, Vignola; McNamara.**
Everton could retain most of the team that beat Birmingham, with McNamara replacing the injured Kramžar up front.
The contrast between these teams is striking.
London City have scored 15 goals in five league matches, compared with Everton’s four. Yet both sides average almost identical possession figures, with London City at 58% and Everton at 57.4%. That suggests the difference lies less in how much of the ball each team sees and more in what they do with it.
Putellas offers London City creativity between the lines, while Diani provides pace and a direct attacking threat. The movement of Van de Donk and Geyoro gives Maestre additional options when building attacks through midfield.
Everton will need to limit the space available to those players, particularly when possession changes hands. Phelan has already acknowledged London City’s threat in transition, suggesting Everton may adopt a more cautious approach when committing players forward.
Ruby Mace could be central to their chances. Alongside her goalscoring contribution against Birmingham, the midfielder will have an important role in disrupting London’s rhythm and helping Everton progress the ball.
Momiki and Vignola could also provide attacking opportunities, particularly if Everton can exploit spaces behind London’s advancing full-backs.
The teams split their two WSL meetings last season.
* **19 September 2025:** Everton 1-2 London City
* **8 February 2026:** London City 0-1 Everton
Everton therefore have encouraging memories of their previous league visit to London City.
The teams also met in the World Sevens Football competition in May 2026, when Everton recorded a 2-1 victory. However, London City’s current attacking form makes this a very different challenge.
London City enter the match as favourites after winning four of their opening five league games and producing an outstanding attacking display against Tottenham.
Everton’s defensive record suggests they can make life difficult for the hosts, but Kramžar’s injury creates another challenge for a team already struggling to score regularly.
The visitors have enough quality to compete, particularly through Mace and Momiki, but London’s attacking options may ultimately prove decisive.
**Prediction: London City Lionesses 3-0 Everton Women.**