The Twelve: A WSL Podcast

Deepti, Treb and Marc break down a huge week in the Women's Super League. They open with the Ballon d'Or, then recap league play, the Champions League and the Subway Cup, and finish with predictions for match day eight.

Ballon d'Or reaction

• Alexia Putellas wins her third Ballon d'Or. Bunny Shaw finishes third, the highest-ranked WSL player.
• The hosts talk about who else deserved a place (Yui Hasegawa was 11th) and why missing the Champions League may have cost Shaw. They also look at how the Women's World Cup and CONCACAF qualifying could shape next year's race.

Match day 7 recap (Treb)

• Tottenham 1–2 Arsenal: Arsenal's much-needed Derby win, with Ona Batlle looking more comfortable at right back.
• Brighton 3–0 West Ham: Maisie Simons scores a long-range stunner.
• Crystal Palace 1–3 Chelsea: Melvine Malard and Sandy Baltimore lead the comeback. The hosts also discuss the handbags moment involving Katie McCabe, and what has gone wrong for Palace.
• Birmingham City 1–0 Charlton: Charlton remains pointless. The hosts debate where their first points could come from and whether the record for fewest points in a season is in danger.
• Aston Villa 3–2 Everton
• Liverpool 2–2 London City: A chaotic draw.
• Manchester United 1–1 Manchester City: A Derby with an even split of possession. Shaw scores, but Beth Turlin grabs the late equalizer. The hosts discuss whether City are relying too heavily on Shaw.
• They finish with the table after match day 7, with Chelsea first, City second and London City third.

Predictions and power rankings

• The prediction points race, with Deep D leading.
• The top five goals of the week, led by Maisie Simons' strike.

Champions League match day 3 (Marc)

• Arsenal 3–0 Benfica, a Russo hat trick.
• Manchester City 1–1 PSG, and why City's campaign worries the hosts.
• Chelsea 2–0 Roma, and the debate over rotation.
• Lyon 6–0 Inter, Barcelona 8–0 HB Køge, Bayern 2–2 Real Madrid, plus the other results and the league phase table.

Subway Cup roundup (Deepti)

• London City 4–2 Crystal Palace, Tottenham 6–1 Bristol City, Manchester United 3–0 Burnley, Brighton 6–0 Wolves, and the other results.
• The table, and why United and London City look like the favorites.

Match day 8 predictions

• Everton v Manchester United, London City v Manchester City, Arsenal v Aston Villa, West Ham v Liverpool, Brighton v Crystal Palace, Birmingham City v Tottenham and Charlton v Chelsea.
• 0:00 Intro and Ballon d'Or reaction
• 5:52 Match day 7 recap
• 40:23 Manchester Derby and the table
• 48:11 Predictions scoreboard
• 49:16 Top goals of the week
• 53:10 Champions League match day 3
• 1:29:57 Subway Cup roundup
• 1:36:32 Match day 8 predictions

The WSL is splitting fast, and this episode shows you exactly who’s rising, who’s cracking, and who still has time to turn it around. From Manchester City’s ruthless ceiling to Arsenal’s injury-hit collapse, we break down the teams that could define the season before the table hardens. With special guest, CrunkChocolate, he joins Deepti, Marc, and Treb who go team by team through the league, spotlighting the tactical shifts, key performers, and warning signs hiding inside the results. Manchester City’s all-out pressure, Chelsea’s evolving system under Sonia Bompastor, London City Lionesses’ surprise top-three push, Tottenham’s volatile ceiling, and Manchester United’s stunning turnaround all get the full treatment. We also get into the mid-table mess, where Everton, Liverpool, West Ham, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Birmingham City, and Charlton are all fighting for position in a league that keeps narrowing by the week. Some teams are flirting with momentum. Others are one bad result away from panic.If you want a smart, sharp, and sometimes brutally honest read on the WSL right now, this is essential listening. The predictions are spicy, the opinions are strong, and the race at the top just got a lot more interesting.

The WSL is more unpredictable than it has been in years, and this episode breaks down exactly why. From London City’s surprising surge to Manchester United’s overperformance, Crystal Palace’s growing pains, and the season-long debate around Arsenal’s Renee Slegers, this vibe check digs into the teams, tactics, and pressure points that are shaping the title race, top-four chase, and relegation fight. Deepti is joined by Marc and Treb for a fast, opinionated midseason check-in on a league where almost any team can take points off another. They unpack the rise in scoring and xG conversion, why promoted clubs are actually competing, and which teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack.

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The Crew discuss Aston Villa parting ways with Natalia Arroyo, what's going on with Arsenal's attacking woes, WSL Round 4 results as well as a round0up of both Subway Cup and UEFA Women's Champions League action!

00:00 — Opening banter

01:00 — Aston Villa sack Natalie Arroyo after four matches

07:14 — Charlton vs. Manchester City

12:48 — London City Lionesses vs. Brighton

17:43 — Manchester United vs. West Ham

23:35 — Tottenham vs. Aston Villa

30:07 — Birmingham City vs. Crystal Palace

35:20 — Liverpool vs. Everton: the Merseyside derby

42:11 — Chelsea vs. Arsenal

63:00 — Worst coaching performances of the week

66:52 — Subway Cup results

69:30 — Champions League roundup

71:19 — Arsenal’s draw with Paris FC and the controversial penalty

82:37 — Chelsea’s draw with Lyon

88:26 — More Champions League results, including Manchester City vs. Real Madrid

90:31 — Match Day 5 preview and predictions

97:37 — Closing remarks

Thom Bomb, Deepti, Marc, and Treb get together and run through scores of the UEFA Women's Champions League and Subway Players Cup as both competitions started this week. They then recap a high scoring week of WSL action from MatchDay 3. Next, they give The Twelve Power Rankings along with the top 5 managers of the week. Ending the episode previewing and predicting MatchDay 4 of WSL action

Deepti, Thom, Treb, and Nicholls, get together to discuss a WILD weekend in the WSL that proved why Dagenham is the spiritual home of the league, how the Eagles soared across London to do something historic, and the Champions remain the only unbeaten side in the league

The home of WSL, the entire league, where you will hear us talk about the top to the bottom of the table. This is THE TWELVE

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Crystal Palace just did something in the WSL that most fans have never seen before, the fallout could be a whole lot bigger than a simple fine. The Twelve breaks down the bizarre four-substitution-window controversy, the possible punishments, and why everyone from the hosts to the refs has questions. Then the conversation turns to a wild opening weekend: London City’s pressing game leaves Manchester United looking blunt, Chelsea survive a frustrating start to salvage a point against Aston Villa, Arsenal grind out a hard-fought win at Brighton, Tottenham announce themselves with a statement 3-1 over West Ham, Liverpool run riot at Charlton, Crystal Palace look like a completely different side against Everton, and Manchester City eventually put away Birmingham after a cagey first half. Deepti, Thom Bomb, Treb, and Nichollsodeon dig into the tactical details that actually changed these matches from Crystal Palace’s mistake or gamesmanship, to London City’s relentless counter press, to Chelsea’s strange selection calls, to why Tottenham might have the most dangerous attack in the league right now. They also unpack the performances that mattered most, including standout efforts from Kirsty Hansen, Lisa Bauman, Vivian Endeman, Lexi Lloyd Smith, and Yui Hasegawa.

The 2026-27 WSL season starts with chaos, and this opening weekend could tell us everything. From a headline grabbing Brighton managerial change to Chelsea’s Champions League stress test, Manchester United’s latest rebuild, and a newly expanded league that may reshape the title race, this is the preview that actually matters. Thom Bomb, Marc and Treb to break down the biggest stories heading into Matchday 1, including Dario Vidosic’s exit from Brighton, Arturo Ruiz’s arrival, Rebecca Bernal’s move to Manchester United, and the FA’s decision to let WSL academies compete in the National League. They also unpack why the new 18-team UWCL format feels like a turning point for women’s football in Europe.

The WSL season is about to explode, and this preview makes it clear which teams are ready to surge, and which ones are already under pressure. From Arsenal's brutal opening run to Chelsea's hot-seat tension, the panel breaks down the storylines that could shape the entire title race before the first month is over.
Deepti is joined by Treb, Thom Bomb, and Nichollsodeon for a team-by-team look at every club heading into the new campaign, with sharp predictions, breakout-player picks, and the early fixtures that could make or break the season. You will hear why Leah Williamson remains Arsenal's constant, why Lisa Baum could push their attack into overdrive, and why that opening stretch against Chelsea and City may decide everything before autumn truly begins.
The conversation then turns to Aston Villa's post-turnover identity, Birmingham City's promoted-team reality check, Brighton's search for goals, Charlton's return to the top flight, and Crystal Palace's chance to prove they learned from their last WSL stint. The crew also digs into Liverpool's midfield engine, London City's superstar-heavy rebuild, Manchester United's youth-first reset, Tottenham's transfer-window masterclass, West Ham's aggressive investment, and Manchester City's attempt to defend the crown with Bunny Shaw still leading the line.

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The gang of The Twelve are BACK, grading every team in the league's summer transfer window

Plenty to discuss from last season which is why we split it into two parts. Enjoy!

The Twelve is back to wrap-up the WSL season! Thom, Treb, and Deepti give their analysis on the WSL relegation playoff match after Thom gets a chance to sing the praises of his title-winning team. They then talk through the Barclays WSL Awards and whether they agree with the winners. Finally, they summarize the season for teams in the bottom half of the table, listing positives and negatives for each, before previewing the FA Cup final between Brighton and Manchester City.

Join Deepti, Treb, Thom, and Marc in a episode that explores the disparities in pay between men's and women's football in Asia, the importance of equitable prize money, and recent match analyses from the Women's Super League. An in-depth discussion on recent women's football matches, controversies, and upcoming tournaments, featuring expert insights and analysis.

00:00 Introduction to Women's Super League Issues

03:00 Inequality in Prize Money: AFC Women's Cup Discussion

05:55 Player Perspectives on Pay and Representation

08:57 Impact of Pay Disparities on National Teams

12:10 Match Week 19 Preview and Predictions

15:09 Merseyside Derby Recap: Liverpool vs Everton

18:01 Manchester Derby Analysis: City vs United

21:01 North London Derby Highlights: Arsenal vs Tottenham

37:21 Tottenham's Struggles and Arsenal's Prospects

39:17 London City's Future in Champions League

40:13 Player Performances and Contributions

42:00 The East London Derby: West Ham vs London City

49:36 Chelsea vs Aston Villa: A Thrilling Encounter

01:05:36 Brighton's Surprise Victory Over Leicester

01:07:39 Brighton and Kiko Seki's Impact

01:09:16 Champions League Quarterfinals Recap

01:11:07 El Clasico: Barcelona vs Real Madrid

01:15:28 Chelsea vs Arsenal: A Tense Rivalry

01:16:30 Bayern vs Manchester United: A Competitive Tie

01:19:48 Chelsea's Tactical Approach Against Arsenal

01:35:17 Looking Ahead: Chelsea's Future and Transfers

01:39:02 Team Dynamics and Performance Analysis

01:41:58 Player Highlights and Match Strategies

01:44:54 Referee Decisions and Controversies

01:47:58 Upcoming Matches and International Break

01:51:49 Transfer News and Player Movements

#asiacup #womensfootball #woso

This episode features an in-depth discussion on recent developments in women's football, including player transfers, Champions League matches, and league updates. The hosts analyze key games, player performances, and strategic insights, providing fans with a comprehensive overview of the current season. This episode covers recent WSL matches, key player performances, team strategies, and upcoming fixtures, providing insights into the current state of women's football in the UK.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Women's Super League
• 05:04 Catarina Macario's Transfer to San Diego Wave
• 10:13 Champions League Quarterfinals Overview
• 14:57 Arsenal vs Chelsea: Match Analysis
• 19:47 Manchester United vs Bayern Munich: Game Breakdown
• 25:02 Barcelona's Dominance in El Clasico
• 30:04 Looking Ahead: Future Matches and Predictions
• 33:09 Career Choices and League Preferences
• 34:05 Match Week 18 Recap: London City vs Chelsea
• 42:05 Arsenal's Dominance: A 5-0 Victory Over West Ham
• 49:09 United's Narrow Win: Everton vs Manchester United
• 56:32 Manchester City vs Tottenham: Bunny Shaw's Hat Trick
• 01:07:34 Brighton vs Liverpool: A Lackluster Draw
• 01:14:17 Lester vs Aston Villa: A Comeback Win
• 01:18:00 Match Highlights and Player Performances
• 01:20:54 Predictions and Standings Analysis
• 01:23:50 Player Transfers and Contract Extensions
• 01:27:00 Racial Abuse Case and Its Implications
• 01:30:04 WSL Trophy Rebranding
• 01:31:46 Upcoming Derby Matches Preview
• 01:46:12 Chelsea's Stadium Situation and Future

This episode explores FIFA's new mandate requiring women coaches in FIFA competitions, the impact on women's soccer, and the broader implications for gender diversity in coaching roles. This episode covers recent women's soccer matches, the political situation of Iranian players, upcoming fixtures, and the impact of politics on sports. Treb, Deepti and Marc analyze game tactics, predictions, and the broader context of women's sports amid global conflicts.

00:00 FIFA's New Mandate for Women's Coaching

19:09 Recapping Recent Matches in the WSL

45:32 Seasonal Performance Analysis

48:36 Challenges in Recruitment and Competition

49:01 Chelsea's Recent Matches and Player Performance

56:45 West Ham vs United: A Tactical Breakdown

01:12:58 Political Context in Women's Soccer

01:19:19 Upcoming Matches and Predictions

01:24:20 Match Predictions: Everton vs. Manchester United

01:27:08 City vs. Tottenham: A Clash of Titans

01:28:31 Brighton vs. Liverpool: The Battle for Points

01:29:36 Leicester vs. Aston Villa: Predictions and Insights

01:30:02 Champions League Quarterfinals: Arsenal vs. Chelsea

01:34:03 Champions League Quarterfinals: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona

01:35:05 Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich: A Critical Match

01:36:00 Final Thoughts: The Road Ahead

In this episode, we delve into the pressing stadium issues plaguing the Women's Super League (WSL), from waterlogged pitches to scheduling chaos, and explore how these challenges threaten the league's credibility and growth. We discuss the recent postponement drama at Broadfield Stadium and how clubs like Chelsea are seeking new stadium solutions. By examining the stark contrast between historic venues and grassroots struggles, we highlight the critical infrastructure gaps that could marginalize the WSL. This episode is a wake-up call for fans, stakeholders, and clubs to invest strategically in better facilities and smarter logistics to elevate the league to global standards and unlock its true potential.

Topics: - Introduction and Overview

- Arsenal's Matches in Hand 0:29

- Stadium and Resource Challenges 1:07

- Match Recaps and Analysis 6:46

- Managerial and Team Dynamics 11:41

- Champions League and FA Cup Insights 19:57

- League Play Predictions 36:13

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This episode of The Twelve focuses on the Women's Super League (WSL) and its intersection with Black History Month. The hosts discuss the representation of black players and coaches in the league, share personal stories about their journeys into football, and explore the experiences of black reporters covering women's soccer. They also compare the fan experiences between the WSL and NWSL, emphasizing the importance of community and culture in women's football. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the intersection of culture and football, particularly focusing on how Black culture is represented in the sport. They explore the atmosphere of women's football, the importance of rivalries, and the effectiveness of anti-racism campaigns. The discussion also touches on the need for more celebratory events for the Black community in football, as well as the role of supporters in creating a welcoming environment. The episode concludes with lighthearted rapid-fire questions about favorite players and an all-Black starting eleven.

00:00 Introduction to the Women's Super League and Black History Month

02:26 Current Statistics on Black Representation in the WSL

05:21 Personal Journeys into Football and Women's Soccer

22:15 Experiences of Black Reporters in Soccer

39:54 Challenges and Opportunities in Sports Reporting

40:20 The Challenges of Covering Women's Sports

42:58 The Financial Burden of Independent Coverage

46:13 Diversity and Representation in Sports Journalism

49:01 Fan Experiences: NWSL vs. WSL

55:06 Cultural Identity in Sports Fandom

01:12:08 Addressing Racism in Sports: A Comparative Analysis

01:15:04 Promoting Black Players in Sports

01:17:02 Evolving Anti-Racism Campaigns

01:20:35 Engaging the Community: Fan Activations

01:22:31 Addressing Racism in Sports

01:29:01 The Role of Supporters Groups

01:30:20 Lighthearted Rapid Fire: Favorite Players

01:31:38 All-Black Starting XI Discussion

01:43:19 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Most Chelsea fans are feeling like their dynasty is crumbling—and one of the highest-profile power struggles in women's football just exploded. Sonia Bompastor’s contract extension was announced just before Chelsea unexpectedly fired their sporting director, Paul Green. The timing and details reveal a deeper crisis: shifting power, internal conflicts, and strategic chaos that threaten to reshape one of the league’s giants. This episode dives into the upheaval at Chelsea, unpacking the behind-the-scenes tension between management and coaching, the impact on transfers and squad building, and what it all means for their quest to win the Champions League. You'll discover how recent decisions mirror larger struggles for control in women’s football—and why ignoring these issues risks falling further behind. We break down the ambitious—and sometimes reckless—moves at top clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, revealing the broader consequences of a league in transition.

00:00 - Episode introduction and episode overview

02:00 - Chelsea's recent leadership upheaval and power struggles

12:00 - Impact of managerial and ownership changes at Chelsea

25:00 - Arsenal's Champions League dominance and player highlights

35:00 - League standings and title race outlook

45:00 - Relegation battle and team performance analysis

54:00 - Key transfers, injuries, and player performances

60:00 - Chelsea-WSL structure and ownership insights

70:00 - Matchday predictions and upcoming fixtures

80:00 - The broader state of women's football and league expansion

93:00 - Celebrating Kim Little’s 400th Arsenal appearance

95:00 - Final thoughts, listener engagement, and closing remarks

In this episode of The Twelve, Marc, Treb, Thom, and Deepti delve into the latest happenings in the Women's Super League, focusing on managerial changes, team performances, and standout players. They discuss Everton's struggles and the implications of their recent managerial change, the competitive match between Brighton and London City, and the dominant display by Manchester United against Liverpool. The conversation also touches on the relegation battle involving West Ham and Tottenham, and concludes with a review of Manchester City's impressive victory over Chelsea. In this conversation, the hosts delve into the recent performances of women's football teams, particularly focusing on Chelsea and Arsenal. They discuss the tactical aspects of offensive and defensive plays, highlight key player performances, and analyze the implications of managerial decisions on team dynamics. The conversation also touches on the Champions Cup, upcoming matches, and predictions for future games, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of women's football

00:00 Introduction to the Women's Super League

00:31 Managerial Changes in the WSL

02:41 Everton's Struggles and Coaching Decisions

06:50 The Impact of Managerial Talent in Women's Football

10:57 Everton's Recent Match Performance

13:13 Brighton vs. London City: A Competitive Clash

18:30 Manchester United vs. Liverpool: A Dominant Display

29:17 West Ham vs. Tottenham: A Relegation Battle

44:07 Manchester City vs. Chelsea: A One-Sided Affair

46:29 The Art of Offensive Play

49:56 Defensive Struggles and Goalkeeping Controversies

56:27 Chelsea's Crisis and Managerial Decisions

01:06:44 Champions Cup Highlights and Arsenal's Performance

01:17:12 Upcoming Matches and Predictions

Today's episode covers various aspects of women's soccer, including match distributions, player performances, team dynamics, and league comparisons. The speakers discuss specific matches, highlight player transfers, and analyze strategies while also addressing financial aspects such as prize money and the challenges faced by teams like Gotham. The discussion reflects on the current state of women's soccer leagues and their competitiveness. In this episode, the hosts discuss the recent matches in the Women's Super League, highlighting West Ham's unexpected victory over Leicester, Liverpool's first win of the season against Tottenham, and a competitive match between London City and Manchester City. They also touch on transfer updates, the implications for teams moving forward, and predictions for upcoming matches. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the state of women's football and the importance of maintaining player health during intense competitions.

00:00 Introduction and Match Distribution Discussion

05:59 Team Strategies and Player Transfers

15:22 Season Performance Analysis

20:25 Match Highlights and Team Dynamics

26:41 Financial Implications in Women's Soccer

33:31 Prize Money in Women's Football

48:02 Financial Disparities in Women's Competitions

01:10:22 The Need for Investment in Women's Sports

01:15:57 Everton's Struggles and Merseyside Dynamics

01:25:28 Chelsea's Lineup Controversies and Tactical Decisions

01:37:33 Manchester United's Resurgence and Impact of New Signings

01:52:10 West Ham's Hard-Fought Victory and League Positioning

02:01:25 The Relegation Battle Heats Up

02:07:20 Liverpool's First Win of the Season

02:17:58 London City's Promising Performance

02:24:30 FIFA Champions Cup Recap

02:29:55 Arsenal's Champions Cup Aspirations

02:38:35 Transfer Movements and League Dynamics

02:47:12 Tribute to Catherine O'Hara and Team Support

02:52:56 Closing Thoughts and Listener Engagement