It is a crucial week in the Women’s Super League’s title race as last season’s top two meet on Sunday afternoon.
Chelsea host Manchester United knowing a win could extend their lead at the top of the WSL to six points by the end of the weekend.
As for the Red Devils, this feels like a must-win game. Defeat would leave them 10 points off top spot and their outside chances of a title could be done for another season.
There is also a mouth-watering match between form teams Manchester City and Liverpool, while Bristol City and West Ham could switch places at the bottom of the table.
Here is everything you need to know before this weekend’s WSL fixtures:
Man Utd hope to complete ‘hardest task’
Last season’s top two meet in the capital, a match which could end up having huge ramifications in the title race.
United are battling just to keep in touch. They sit fourth in the WSL, seven points off leaders Chelsea after losing to Liverpool before the winter break.
“Not many go to Chelsea and win,” said United boss Marc Skinner. “We’re just taking on one of the hardest tasks. We will give everything.”
The champions, who are chasing a fifth consecutive WSL title, will be without star striker Sam Kerr and skipper Millie Bright who both have knee injuries.
“My whole approach to things is to take nothing for granted,” said Chelsea manager Emma Hayes. “Entitlement for me is probably linked with complacency.
“We’re playing against hungry teams who are looking to take that title off us.”
Man City ‘probably best team in the league’
Could Chelsea’s strongest title challenger this season be Manchester City?
Second-placed City are the form team in the WSL having ended 2023 with four wins on the bounce in which they scored 16 goals.
“We’re three points behind Chelsea and have been the really dominant team,” said manager Gareth Taylor.
“We’ve given ourselves a really good opportunity to go and attack things in the second half of the season.”
Sunday’s opponents Liverpool are fifth and have recorded eye-catching wins against Manchester United and Arsenal.
“It will be exciting for the neutral definitely,” said Reds manager Matt Beard. “City have probably been the best team in the league this season.
“But our games against them have been competitive.”
Gunners miss TV window
Third-placed Arsenal are also firmly in the title race, thrashing Chelsea 4-1 on December 10, for what was then their seventh successive victory.
But the Gunners ended 2023 with a shock 1-0 loss to rivals Tottenham and will hope to put things right against mid-table Everton.
Saturday’s encounter, however, will not be on TV because of a scheduling error.
“Of course it’s disappointing for our fans who want to watch the game live and can’t,” said Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall.
As for Everton, Toffees manager Brian Sorensen said the Premier League charging the club for financial breaches will have an affect on the women’s team.
“It’s the whole club. We’re building a new stadium and so on and that costs a lot of money,” said Sorensen. “We’re ready to work with what we have and we’re very comfortable with that.”
Can Robins fly up the table?
Bristol City are the team at the bottom of the WSL, separated by goal difference from West Ham, who they beat 3-2 on the road in November.
The Robins’ recent away form has been impressive having also drawn 2-2 at Everton and 1-1 at Liverpool.
Lauren Smith’s side will aim to extend their fine away record when they visit Brighton – three points ahead of them in 10th – on Sunday.
For Brighton manager Melissa Phillips though, it’s “business as usual”.
“We don’t negate the importance of the game but the focus has always been on the process of us being sharp and clinical,” she said.
“We know there’s a huge points swing in the table but our team are at their best when they don’t feel there’s pressure on the game so that’s how we’ve gone about it.”
Hammers looking over shoulders
And finally to a London derby.
West Ham are only off the bottom spot on goal difference and could easily slip into the relegation zone with a poor result on Sunday.
But they can take plenty of positives from their last match, a 3-1 loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup where they took the holders to extra time.
Plus, Hammers boss Rehanne Skinner has been given the backing she craved in the January transfer window with the arrivals of internationals Katrina Gorry, Kristie Mewis and Shelina Zadorsky.
“We’re getting closer and closer to getting those results that we’re looking for,” said Skinner. “I’ve got no doubt that will happen soon.”
Sunday’s opponents are Tottenham, who are sixth in the WSL and four points off Manchester United in fourth.
