London City Lionesses

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London City Lionesses have not signed two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and a host of other stars to finish mid-table but I think they need time to gel before challenging for one of the European spots.

This season will be a challenge for manager Eder Maestre to get a group of superstars playing as a team.

I think they will be solid and Putellas will shine, but Spurs might beat them to the ‘best of the rest’ title.

Emma Sanders' prediction: 5th

Manchester United

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A harsh prediction perhaps given Manchester United have become a permanent fixture of the WSL’s top four but this feels like a big transitional period for the club.

They have a new manager in Eva Olid who has not been given riches in the transfer window and the squad looks thin.

She has been tasked with developing young players as part of a long-term project but United are in serious danger of being overtaken by other clubs. I think they will struggle this season.

Emma Sanders' prediction: 6th

Liverpool

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One of my boldest predictions.

Liverpool had a fall from grace last season when they finished second bottom, largely due to a nightmare summer transfer window and big injuries.

But they have progressed under manager Gareth Taylor, who has instilled an effective style of play that saw them pick up points steadily from January onwards.

Their recruitment has been strong in the past six months and they have had a very good pre-season. I think they will surprise a lot of teams.

Emma Sanders' prediction: 7th

Brighton & Hove Albion

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A team that many are predicting to be up there challenging for a top four spot. However, I think they might struggle more than expected this season.

The loss of manager Dario Vidosic is a big one and the timing – a week before the season starts – was far from ideal.

They still have a talented team but I’m not sure the depth of the squad is as strong as the teams I’ve put above them and they have struggled to show consistency for a few seasons now.

Emma Sanders' prediction: 8th

Everton

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Ninth feels a bit harsh on Everton given they have had a shrewd transfer window, particularly strengthening their attacking options.

Scott Phelan did a solid job as interim manager and was rewarded with the permanent position this summer but I think he’s still building the team.

They might well end the season strongly but by that time, Brighton and Liverpool could have nudged ahead and settled themselves. I don’t think there will be much between the teams in ninth and fifth place.

Emma Sanders' prediction: 9th

West Ham United

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One of my dark horses for the season.

West Ham have struggled for a number of years and haven’t been backed by the club in the transfer market.

Now, under manager Rita Guarino, they seem to be investing a little and their recruitment has been more tailored to her style of play.

They showed glimpses of what they were working on with Guarino last season and I expect a much-improved West Ham in 2027. It’s a long-term project though and it needs time.

Emma Sanders' prediction: 10th

Birmingham City

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My pick to be the strongest out of the newly-promoted clubs.

Birmingham City have been one of the strongest teams in the WSL 2 for a few years now and they don’t feel out of place in the top tier.

Another busy transfer window means there is more experience in the squad and manager Amy Merricks knows what the WSL is all about having led Brighton in interim spells.

It won’t be easy but I think they will settle in quicker than the other promoted sides.

Emma Sanders' prediction: 11th

Aston Villa

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I worry for Aston Villa this season. I’ve been underwhelmed by their summer recruitment and I still don’t really know what their ambitions are.

They have lost their top-scorer Kirsty Hanson, who scored 44% of their goals last season and was comfortably their player of the campaign. Those are big boots to fill and I don’t think they have done that.

Natalia Arroyo is clearly a good coach with a creative and fluid style but Villa can also be a mixed bag.

I think they lack the quality needed to climb up the table.

Emma Sanders' prediction: 12th

Crystal Palace

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It’s always a big jump up for the newly-promoted sides and I think Crystal Palace need to be patient with their progress to avoid being a yo-yo club.

Jo Potter has proven herself to be one of the most exciting up-and-coming English managers and I think she has a big role to play this season.

They have added experience in the transfer window, with Bethany England’s arrival from Tottenham particularly exciting.

That should be enough to keep them from automatic relegation and I do think they will stay in the WSL - but someone has to be in the play-offs.

Emma Sanders' prediction: 13th

Charlton Athletic

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They were written off last season in the WSL 2 and defied the odds to gain promotion.

I’m hesitant to do the same but I think this could be a leap too big for this over-achieving club.

Without the riches of a Premier League men’s counterpart to back them in the transfer window, naturally they have had to be more conservative.

They have retained most of their promotion-winning squad and have a clear defensive structure which helped them to a 27-game unbeaten run last season.

But I still think other squads are more developed, more experienced and have more depth. It will be a big test for them.

Emma Sanders' prediction: 14th

What good is the eve of the new season if we can't make some predictions?

It's time to run through new season predictions from BBC Sport women's football news reporter Emma Sanders, starting with 14th place going up to 1st.

But we also want to hear from you - send us your predictions in the following format:

• Winners
• Champions League qualifiers
• Relegation play-off
• Relegated

Click 'Get Involved' and send in your picks.

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Charlton end a long 18-year wait to return to the top flight.

Spanish playmaker Paula Partido is among Charlton's fresh faces for the season, arriving on loan from London City Lionesses and has previously played for Real Madrid and Celtic.

Full-back Ashleigh Neville brings a wealth of experience to the newly-promoted side after joining from Leicester City with more than 100 appearances in the WSL.

The Addicks have also signed Australian trio of Emily van Egmond, Leah Davidson and Grace Johnston.

Follow Charlton Athletic here.

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Crystal Palace have made a quick return to the top flight.

They have added Bethany England and last season's WSL 2 top scorer Lexi Lloyd-Smith to an attack that already had Kirsty Howat and Abbie Larkin, who had eight goals each in the second division last term.

Former Lioness England is one of the WSL's all-time leading scorers and bagged 32 goals during four seasons with Tottenham.

She will be reunited with her team-mate at Spurs Molly Bartrip with the 30-year-old defender joining after making more than 100 appearances for the north London side.

Follow Crystal Palace here.

Birmingham City are back in the WSL after a four-season hiatus, having emerged as the 2025-26 WSL 2 champions.

Their striker Lily Crosthwaite was the WSL 2 player of the year last season and they have further bolstered their attack by paying just over £100,000 to Le Havre for France youth international Chancelle Effa Effa.

Head coach Amy Merricks has also recruited experienced centre-back Millie Turner, who made 145 WSL appearances in eight seasons at Manchester United, has two England caps and is the new Blues captain.

Norway midfielder Lisa Naalsund followed Turner from United while goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley has joined after leaving Brighton.

Follow Birmingham City here.

West Ham have flirted with relegation in recent years and finished third from bottom last time around but under manager Rita Guarino, they have shown signs of promise and invested in the summer.

Among their eight summer signings is 2023 World Cup winner Laia Codina, who joined after winning the Champions League and League Cup with Arsenal.

The Hammers have also signed Everton striker Kelly Gago and Aston Villa's Ebony Salmon while Estelle Cascarino's loan move has been made permanent.

But losing Shekiera Martinez to Tottenham will be a big loss, with the Germany forward scoring six league goals last season.

Follow West Ham here.

After a difficult first six months at Liverpool for manager Gareth Taylor, the club have backed him in the market as they look to build on an encouraging end to the season.

Khiara Keating knows Taylor's possession-based system well having broken into his Manchester City team as a teenager, while the likes of Natalia Ramos and Mao Itamura add valuable depth.

However, losing club record signing Denise O'Sullivan just six months after she joined is a significant blow.

Follow Liverpool here.