BBC Women's Football Weekly

By BBC Radio 5 LiveSports

BBC Women's Football Weekly episodes

November 10 Nations League draw, BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year & can Arsenal shock Barcelona again?
Ellen White and Ben Haines are back with a bonus episode this week to preview a big week of European action and some awards news!
First up, they preview this week’s Champions League match between Arsenal and Barcelona, a repeat of the 2025 final, and ask whether the Gunners can pull off another shock result. Plus, Em Sanders chats to Barcelona star Esmee Brugts. Elsewhere on matchday 4, Manchester City travel to Italy to take on Inter Milan and Chelsea take on Häcken.
Shifting focus to the international stage, Ellen and Ben react to England’s Nations League group for the 2027 edition of the tournament, which will also act as qualification for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. And to wrap things up, Ellen and Ben give you all the details for the 2026 edition of the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award.
You can now vote for your BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year at bbc.com/women’s football - voting closes at 09:00 GMT on Wednesday 18th November.
29 min
November 09 Jana Fernandez on fiery training, changing mindsets & building a fanbase
Ellen White and Ben Haines take the pod on the road to the home of the ‘WSL disruptors’, London City Lionesses!
They’re joined by special guest Jana Fernandez to discuss London City's massive shift in mindset this season, growing their fanbase, and her own impressive form. Plus, the Spanish defender reveals who she’s battling with in fiery training sessions ahead of their blockbuster WSL clash against Arsenal this weekend.
Ben catches up with Jana's LCL teammate Alexia Putellas following her historic third Ballon d’Or win and to wrap up, Ellen and Ben preview two massive top-of-the-table clashes that could shake up the title race!
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen and Ben take the pod on the road.
02:43 - Jana Fernandez joins the pod!
05:11 - The mentality shift at London City this year.
14:00 - Building a fanbase.
18:30 - Looking at LCL’s upcoming fixtures.
21:22 - Jana on how her season is going personally and fiery training sessions.
28:50 - Daniëlle van de Donk’s form this season and Jana’s Spanish connections in London.
32:15 - Ellen and Ben reflect on their chat with Jana.
35:15 - Ben catches up with Alexia Putellas after her third Ballon d’Or win.
40:40 - Ben and Ellen debrief other WSL fixtures with two top of the table clashes ahead.
48 min
November 02 London City push the champions and what’s going right for Chelsea?
Ellen White and Ben Haines are back, joined by The Guardian’s women’s football writer Tom Garry, to break down a big weekend of domestic action.
London City Lionesses pushed the defending champions all the way on Sunday, proving they can compete with the WSL elite. The panel dissect where the ambitious side fell short and highlight Jade Rose's standout form for Manchetser City.
The team also take a deeper look into Chelsea’s season so far. With Sonia Bompastor’s side unbeaten in all competitions and goals coming from everywhere, are they starting to get back to their best?
Elsewhere, Arsenal dropped points at the Emirates again. With a daunting run of fixtures ahead, how do they get back to basics? Plus, Drew Spence reflects on breaking the all-time WSL appearance record in an chat with Em Sanders and Tom breaks down some funding news from FIFA ahead of the World Cup next summer.
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen and Ben are back are joined by The Guardian’s women’s football writer, Tom Garry!
02:30 - London City Lionesses impress in a thriller against Manchester City.
14:07 - Arsenal draw again at the Emirate with trickier fixtures ahead.
24:35 - Drew Spence chats to Em Sanders after breaking the WSL appearance record.
29:00 - What’s going right for Chelsea?
40:38 - This week’s Golden Goggles award.
44:12 - FIFA agrees to increase preparation money for the Women’s World Cup.
53 min
October 26 Derby day battles, Man United make progress & European nights return!
Ellen White and Ben Haines are back together in the studio, and they're joined by WSL and England legend, Steph Houghton!
The team break down a blockbuster weekend of derbies, from Manchester United ending City's 100% start to Arsenal’s north London derby comeback, reliving pressure on both the team and manager Renee Slegers.
Ellen and Steph also discuss the progress Manchester United have made since the start of the season, Drew Spence's longevity as she equals the all-time WSL appearance record and Bunny Shaw’s ability to always be ready for showtime!
Plus, the Champions League returns for matchday 3, so our trio look ahead to the return of European nights with all three English clubs at home.
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen White and Ben Haines are back in the studio together.
01:20 - Steph Houghton joins the team!
02:50 - Reaction to the Manchester derby as United end City's 100% start.
Bunny Shaw proves she’s always ready for showtime and how have United turned their WSL form around?
22:11 - Arsenal come from behind to beat Spurs in the north London derby.
28:24 - Was Arsenal’s winning penalty a controversial one?
33:40 - Drew Spence equals the all-time WSL appearance record.
36:32 - London City Lionesses held to a draw by Liverpool with tough challenges ahead.
40:20 - UWCL preview as the competition returns for matchday 3.
47 min
October 19 Sarina stays, the Golden Goggles & Van de Donk’s flying form
Ellen White and Ben Haines are back and Ellen starts by telling us about an exciting new job role. Joined by Em Sanders, the team react to Sarina Wiegman’s two-year contract extension with England and unveil the inaugural ‘Golden Goggles’ award for the best celebration of the week!
There’s a WSL debrief focusing on the standout performances of Lauren James, Daniëlle van de Donk, and Océane Hurtré so far this season. Plus, we look at the big talking points ahead of this weekend’s derby games in North London and Manchester.
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen and Ben are back and Ellen has a new job!
02:00 - Em Sanders is back on the pod too!
03:05 - England manager Sarina Wiegman has signed a two-year contract extension.
17:20 - Our new ‘Golden Goggles’ award!
21:00 - Debrief of the WSL looking at three standout players, starting with Chelsea’s Lauren James.
27:00 - London City Lionesses’ unsung hero, Daniëlle van de Donk.
31:10 - Arsenal v Birmingham City, with a focus on Océane Hurtré.
39:05 - Look ahead to this weekend’s WSL derbies, starting with the north London derby.
44:50 - Preview of the Manchester derby.
49 min
October 13 Ruthless England advance in World Cup play-offs
Katie Smith is joined by former England goalkeeper, Rachel Brown-Finnis, and 5 Live commentator Vicki Sparks to react to England’s 5-0 win (8-1 on aggregate) over Greece which sees them progress to round two of the Women's World Cup qualifying play-offs.
After lacking a clinical edge in the first-leg, the Lionesses were far more ruthless at home, plus we saw two more debuts for Lexi Potter and Freya Godfrey.
The team discuss whether Sarina Wiegman has become more tactically flexible when it comes to her starting XI and whether Maya Le Tissier’s standout performances at right-back have posed the question: can both she and Lucy Bronze start for the national team?
Plus, Rob Schofield is down in the tunnel to get reaction from Alessia Russo, Grace Fisk and Sarina Wiegman.
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Reaction to a more ruthless England performance.
06:50 - Alessia Russo interview
08:40 - Lexi Potter’s debut and Sarina Wiegman making more changes to her starting XI.
17:20 - Grace Fisk interview.
19:35 - Should Maya Le Tissier and Lucy Bronze play together for England?
25:20 - Sarina Wiegman interview.
31 min
October 12 Lionesses on track, Cuthbert returns & Kirby on Brighton's start
Ellen White and Ben Haines are back and this week they’re joined by England legend and Brighton midfielder Fran Kirby!
Together, the trio look back on England’s 3-1 victory against Greece in the first-leg of their World Cup play-off semi-final - from debutants and Maya Le Tissier impressing at right-back to asking how the Lionesses can become more ruthless in front of goal. Vicki Sparks also chats to Keira Walsh and Sarina Wiegman ahead of the second leg on Tuesday evening at the King Power stadium in Leicester.
Elsewhere across the international break, there were away wins for Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland in their play-off games, as well as a welcome return to the field for Chelsea captain Erin Cuthbert.
Fran also gives us an insight into life at Brighton under new boss Arturo Ruiz before previewing some crucial fixtures across the WSL this weekend.
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen and Ben are back with Fran Kirby as their special guest!
03:31 - Review of the Lionesses 3-1 against Greece in Crete.
12:20 - Would you like to see the Lionesses celebrate goals more?
15:50 - What are the positives for England? Debutants and Maya Le Tissier at right-back.
22:40 - How can England be more ruthless going forward?
27:00 - Keira Walsh and Sarina Wiegman chat to Vicki Sparks ahead of the second leg.
33:50 - Round up of the other home nations involved in World Cup qualifying.
37:31 - USA v Spain friendlies, a glimpse of what could be a huge game at the World Cup.
40:10 - WSL preview, starting with Fran’s insight into life at Brighton under Arturo Ruiz.
47:00 - Spurs will be tested over the next couple of weeks.
49:45 - A chance for Arsenal to start fresh against Birmingham?
53 min
October 07 Lionesses special: Esme Morgan & the next-gen midfielders
Ellen White is back at St. George’s Park, alongside BBC Women's Sport Reporter Jo Currie, for a Lionesses special ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off games against Greece.
Ellen sits down with Washington Spirit defender Esme Morgan to discuss finding consistency in the England starting XI, how the NWSL season has prepared her for these crucial international games, and we of course get an update on Biscuit the cat!
Plus, Jo chats to England’s exciting new midfield talents in the press conference, Lexi Potter and Erica Meg Parkinson.
Full commentary of England v Greece is on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds. The first leg is a 5:30pm kick-off on Friday 9th October.
TIMECODES:
00:04 - Ellen White and Jo Currie are back!
02:01 – Esme Morgan interview.
21:44 – Ellen and Jo discuss what’s ahead for England.
29:04 – Lexi Potter and Erica Meg Parkinson chat in the press conference.
32:50 - Ellen and Jo reflect on the Lionesses they’ve heard from.
37 min
October 06 City lead, Arsenal struggle & Putellas delivers: The WSL half term review!
As we reach the first international break of the season, Ellen White is joined by BBC Women's Sport Reporter Jo Currie and the Telegraph’s Women’s Football reporter Kathryn Batte to provide a half term review of the Women’s Super League.
Five games in, Manchester City remain the team to beat and Arsenal’s struggles continue. The team discuss if the reigning champions can keep their momentum going and are the problems deeper than on the pitch at Arsenal who sit 10th, 10 points adrift of the league leaders.
Jo also asks if London City Lionesses have lived up to the hype given their big summer transfer window and puts Ellen and Kathryn to the test in a quick fire round assessing each club’s performance so far.
TIMECODES:
00:04 - Ellen White and Jo Currie are down at St. George’s Park.
01:10 - Ellen and Jo are joined by Kathryn Batte for a WSL half term review, starting with Arsenal.
11:25 - Manchester City remain the team to beat.
16:12- London City Lionesses deliver on their pre-season hype.
20:40 - Quick fire reviews of the rest of the league.
26 min
September 28 Chelsea’s statement win, growing Arsenal concerns & the rise of Lexi Potter
Ben and Ellen are joined by Em Sanders to dissect a fiery London derby at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea claimed bragging rights over Arsenal.
The team examine Arsenal’s early-season stumbling blocks ahead of a huge week featuring away trips to Paris FC and Manchester City. Plus, hear post-match reaction from Sonia Bompastor and Lucy Bronze, who give credit to Katie McCabe and Lexi Potter, who could be England’s next breakthrough star ahead of Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad announcement on Tuesday.
Ellen, Ben and Em also assess Tottenham’s unbeaten start to the WSL season and whether they can maintain their form against tougher opposition, before looking ahead to Matchday 2 of the Women’s Champions League.
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen and Ben are joined by Em Sanders this week!
03:57 - Chelsea beat Arsenal in a feisty encounter at Stamford Bridge.
12:30 - More frustrations for Arsenal who drop points again.
18:40 - What does the bigger picture look like for Arsenal with Paris FC and Man City up next?
22:43 - Reaction from Sonia Bompastor and Lucy Bronze.
25:30 - Praise for Katie McCabe and Lexi Potter.
29:21 - Tottenham maintain their unbeaten start to the WSL season. Can they keep it going against tougher opponents?
32:15 - Preview of match day 2 in the Women’s Champions League.
44 min

About BBC Women's Football Weekly

From the publisher's feed

Whether you're a lifelong Lionesses fan or just getting into the women's game, BBC Women's Football Weekly brings you closer to the action with new episodes every week.

Ben Haines teams up with England's record goalscorer Ellen White to unpack the biggest talking points from the Women's Super League and beyond - covering match previews, standout performances, and all the drama on and off the pitch. BBC Women's Football Weekly also features exclusive interviews with the biggest stars in the Women's Super League and national teams.

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