Manchester City head into the 2026-27 Women's Super League season as reigning champions for the first time in a decade, and Guardian writers have tipped them to retain the title. Their prospects were boosted significantly when top scorer Khadija "Bunny" Shaw reversed an earlier decision to leave, signing a new four-year contract in May, while the squad has been further strengthened by the arrivals of Beth Mead from Arsenal and Niamh Charles from Chelsea to offset the departures of Kerolin and Leila Ouahabi.

Manager Andrée Jeglertz, who led City to a league and cup double in his first season, retains a squad considered as strong as last year's, with right-back Kerstin Casparij among the league's top assist providers and set-pieces a particular strength, having yielded at least twice as many goals as any rival last term. City also boast a new £10m training facility designed specifically for female athletes. The main challenges look to be squad depth for a Champions League campaign and the psychological shift from underdogs to favourites, with early season tests against promoted side Birmingham City and title rivals Arsenal in October.