Birmingham City

Manager Spaniard Marta Tejedor had a playing career spanning more than 20 years, including a spell with Atletico Madrid. The 50-year-old’s managerial career has taken her farther from home, with coaching posts with the Peru and Chile national teams before returning to Atletico Madrid. Tejedor took the Birmingham job mid-season last January, masterminding five wins from their last seven matches.

Pedigree A founding member of the WSL, Birmingham were first established back in 1968. Runners-up in the league in 2011 and 2012, they often compete in the top half of the table. FA Cup winners for back-to-back years in 2011 and 2012, it was only in 2016 that they became fully integrated with Birmingham City.

Player to watch Despite putting in a transfer request earlier in the summer, no move transpired for England’s Lucy Staniforth (above). Though she had a bit-part role at the World Cup, she is one of the more high-profile names left in the Birmingham squad. Signing of the summer Tejedor has been busy replacing first-team departures with six new signings, and California-born midfielder Brianna Visalli, 24, could make a name for herself in the team. She scored five goals and made six assists in 25 appearances at West Ham during their first season in the WSL.

Aim this season The club’s strong finish last season saw them trail third-placed Chelsea by only two points. With newly-promoted Manchester United looking to impose themselves on the WSL, along with Tottenham, Birmingham will want to cement their place as a threat to the top three.

Biggest hurdle The club experienced an exodus over the summer, with all six of their top league goalscorers leaving including Ellen White, Lucy Quinn and Charlie Wellings.

This season will be a rebuilding job for Tejedor and will test the manager’s mettle.

Anything less than fourth would be considered a failure. Predicted finish Eighth.