Newcastle are predicted to finish first in the Women's Super League 2 season, according to The Guardian Football. The Magpies have strengthened their forward line with the arrivals of Martha Thomas from Tottenham, Leanne Kiernan from Liverpool, and Kathleen McGovern, who scored 51 times in 65 games for Hibs. This should propel them to the promised land. Manager Tanya Oxtoby will be hoping that her team can draw on their experience from last season, when they drew nearly half their games.
Watford, on the other hand, are expected to struggle. The Hornets were promoted as southern section champions, but their signings include only the promising England youth international Vera Jones on loan from Chelsea. They look stronger than when last in the second tier in 2023-24 but staying up will be hugely challenging. Watford's captain, Megan Chandler, has said that the team wants to establish themselves in this league and show people they're not just here to survive.
The teams finishing second and third will contest a new, pre-qualifying match to determine who will face the WSL's second-bottom side in the end-of-season promotion/relegation playoff decider. The Guardian Football's predictions suggest that Sunderland have a good chance of finishing third, with the arrival of Elise Hughes from Palace and a feelgood mood that may make the difference.