Preview: Tottenham Hotspur Women vs West Ham United Women

Tottenham Hotspur Women will start the new Women's Super League season with a clash against London rivals West Ham United Women on Sunday.

Spurs underperformed in the 2024-25 campaign with an 11th-place finish, while the Hammers finished three points better off in ninth position.Â

Match preview

Tottenham will enter the new season with a new manager after they decided to relieve Robert Vilahamn of his duties at the end of last season.

Spurs ultimately felt it was the right time for a change following a disappointing season, which saw them finish in 11th position after winning five, drawing five and losing 12 of their 22 league games.

Martin Ho has taken over the reins ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, leaving his role as Brann boss to return to the WSL for the first time since leaving his position as Manchester United assistant manager in 2023.

The 35-year-old will be determined to succeed in his first role as a WSL head coach, and he will hope to have the players deliver despite a relatively quiet transfer window for the North London club.

Spurs recruited defender Toko Koga and forward Cathinka Tandberg from Feyenoord and Hammarby respectively, while Rosella Ayane, Hayley Raso and Becky Spencer all left on permanent deals.Â

Tottenham may fancy their chances of making a positive start to the season, having picked up victories in their last two home league games against West Ham, including a narrow 2-1 win in November 2024.

West Ham would have been fairly satisfied with their efforts last season, collecting 23 points from 22 matches to finish in ninth position, bettering their 11th-place finish from the 2023-24 campaign.Â

The Hammers ended the season as the WSL's fifth-highest scorers with 36 goals, but their weakness was at the opposite end of the pitch, conceding 41 goals to finish with the joint-fourth worst defensive record.Â

Rehanne Skinner will be hoping her team can continue to improve in her third season in the West Ham dugout, and she will be able to call upon the services of five new additions following the transfer window.Â

West Ham have signed Leila Wandeler, Sarah Brasero, Ffion Morgan and Yu Endo on permanent deals, while they have also brought Anna Csiki in on loan from Sunday's opponents.

Skinner will be fully focused on the league opener against her former employers, with the Hammers looking to claim their third victory over Tottenham in 2025.

West Ham came from behind to pick up a 2-1 victory in January's League Cup quarter-final, before they ran out 2-0 winners in March's WSL home meeting.Â

Team News

Tottenham are unable to call upon the defensive duo of Ella Morris and Luana Buhler, who are both recovering from long-term injuries.

Molly Bartrip has missed Tottenham's last two friendlies with a knock, and she remains a doubt for Sunday's WSL opener against West Ham.Â

It remains to be seen whether Tandberg will feature in the matchday squad after joining Spurs on transfer deadline day.Â

As for the Hammers, Skinner has declared that all of her squad is fully fit for the clash at Brisbane Road, although Csiki is unable to play against her former club.Â

The West Ham boss could select Eva Nystrom and Shelina Zadorsky as her centre-back pairing, while Endo and Verena Hanshaw are set to operate as the two full-backs.Â

At the opposite end of the pitch, Shekiera Martinez will be looking to enjoy another productive campaign in front of goal after netting 10 times in 12 WSL appearances in the second half of last term.Â

Tottenham Hotspur Women possible starting lineup:

Kop; Hunt, Rybrink, Koga, Nilden; Oroz, Spence; Naz, Thomas, Holdt; England

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:

Szemik; Endo, Nystrom, Zadorsky, Hanshaw; Siren, Gorry; Asseyi, Ueki, Piubel; Martinez

We say: Tottenham Hotspur Women 1-2 West Ham United Women

West Ham have already beaten Tottenham on two separate occasions in 2025, and with that in mind, we think they could enjoy more success against Spurs on Sunday, although we expect the game to be decided by a narrow margin.Â

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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