WSL title race: Will Chelsea surpass Manchester United?

It’s crunch time within the Women’s Super League and with lower than two weeks of the season left, the fates of the highest 4 groups within the desk are but to be determined with the title and Champions League qualification locations nonetheless on the road.

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Arsenal and Chelsea nonetheless have three matches left to play, and due to this fact every have a sport in hand on each Manchester United and Manchester City, however United are prime of the desk by one level over defending champions Chelsea. Arsenal and City are 5 factors behind Chelsea, with aim distinction splitting the 2 sides as they battle for the third and remaining European place.

Starting with the leaders United, this is what to observe for within the prime 4 — and a prediction on how every will finally end.

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MANCHESTER UNITED

In simply their fourth season within the prime flight, United have already bettered their earlier factors tally of 47 from 2020-21 as they prime the desk with 50 factors with two video games remaining, They are all however assured Champions League soccer subsequent season with a far larger aim distinction (+42) than City in fourth (+25).

The Red Devils will not be given a straightforward experience of their final two video games of the season, nevertheless, and after internet hosting a Manchester derby they must journey to face a Liverpool group who’ve already overwhelmed each Chelsea and City at Prenton Park.

Although they’re six factors higher off than their cross-town rivals, United have by no means overwhelmed City within the league however have managed some very credible attracts to date over their quick existence. Coming into this one off the again of an FA Cup remaining loss to Chelsea, the Red Devils may have much more incentive to take most factors however it’s a fixture that may doubtless throw up a draw.

After City, United should face Liverpool on the final day of the season and, relying on how the penultimate spherical of fixtures pans out, they might be enjoying for the title. The Reds, regardless of their standing within the desk (seventh), have confirmed to be tough opposition on their day and may United not be on a track, they may simple fall to a last-day defeat. However, I can see this group ending strongly and taking all three factors on Merseyside.

Predicted end: Second place

CHELSEA

The reigning champions have actually struggled for his or her best soccer this season however have stored themselves in rivalry by sheer drive of will and self-belief, as they demonstrated at Wembley over the weekend once they picked up their third successive FA Cup.

Still working by way of their backlog of video games, Chelsea must face West Ham United earlier than internet hosting Arsenal after which ending the season at backside membership Reading. Just one level behind United with 49, Chelsea have been chasing them down and consuming up all their aim distinction — bringing themselves stage on +42 with the final kick in final week’s 6-0 win over Leicester City.

West Ham are in a sorry state this season; they have not received a sport within the WSL since December. Even towards a drained Chelsea group, the Hammers are prone to wrestle on Wednesday as they did final time they met when the Blues dished out a 7-0 humbling within the League Cup.

After West Ham, Chelsea will come up towards acquainted foes Arsenal, who themselves are battling for one thing from this season. In an analogous state of midweek video games to get by way of, each groups are prone to come into their conflict with heavy legs and gamers struggling by way of varied ranges of health and readiness.

But Chelsea, with their higher squad depth and extra gamers getting back from harm — versus Arsenal appear to be combating issues going the opposite means for them for the time being — will like their possibilities towards their London rivals. However, simply to maintain the final weekend spicy, I’m predicting a second league draw between the 2 this season.

Lastly, Chelsea will journey to the Select Car Leasing Stadium to face the relegation-battling Reading — the Royals might even have had relegation confirmed by the point they kick off subsequent Saturday. Chelsea might even have already confirmed one other title by May 27, however are more likely to enter the sport needing all three factors, which ought to be a formality.

Predicted end: Champions

ARSENAL

Having began the season at a fee of knots, accidents have derailed Arsenal’s marketing campaign considerably. Although they’re nonetheless mathematically within the combine for the title on 44 factors, they would want a rare run of outcomes to complete prime of the pile.

With a midweek journey to Everton first up, the Gunners will then return to London to sq. off towards Chelsea earlier than ending the season at dwelling to Aston Villa, the WSL’s present “best of the rest” in fifth place with 33 factors. Although the Toffees have proven brilliant moments this season, they’ve struggled for consistency and their final outing — a 7-0 thumping away to Chelsea — highlights a number of the points dealing with supervisor Brian Sorensen.

Whilst nobody expects Everton to ship seven objectives once more, Arsenal ought to show an excessive amount of for the hosts on Wednesday and are prone to return to the capital with all three factors. Like their weekend opposition, Arsenal may have the additional midweek sport of their legs, though not like Chelsea, the Gunners received a relaxation on the weekend. But, to rebalance the scales, Arsenal may have a visit to Merseyside and again of their legs by the point they line up at Kingsmeadow on Sunday.

Two groups who’re in all probability a bit bored of the sight of one another by now, I can see this one ending in a draw to arrange a grandstand final day of fixtures. Finally, Arsenal will face Aston Villa which will likely be no simple job, not least with European qualification on the road. A cussed group who’ve gone ahead properly this season, Villa will present a late headache for Arsenal however the Gunners can lean on a powerful dwelling document and are prone to edge the tie to say all three factors.

Predicted end: Third place

MANCHESTER CITY

A blended bag this season, City have proven moments of brilliance however too typically have didn’t capitalise on their dominance in video games and left the door open, leaving them heading into the enterprise finish of the season outdoors of Champions League qualification with a sub-par aim distinction.

With 44 factors City are stage with Arsenal, however are fourth within the desk by advantage of getting an inferior aim distinction (+25) to the Gunners (+34) 44 factors. City might want to produce two very sturdy performances of their final two video games of the season, however might already be out of the operating ought to issues flip bitter of their match this weekend towards Manchester United. Already having performed some basic matches towards their neighbours, City benefit from the sport virtually being a free hit. Many have already written them off for a top-three end, with many of the stress on their opposition.

This could be the key to City digging out a few of their higher soccer and dipping into their sturdy league historical past towards United, however a draw appears the more likely end result. Lastly, City will host Everton, who themselves have had a really busy month and can doubtless be coming into the sport will a bit extra fatigue and focus that’s extra on attending to the top of the season fairly than going out in a blaze of glory with little left to play for.

Conversely, for the tumultuous season the Citizens have had, they’ll wish to end with a present of power and ought to be selecting up three factors from their final outing of the marketing campaign.

Predicted end: Fourth place

Predicted prime 4 end, with factors and aim distinction
1. Chelsea, 56 factors, +48
2. Manchester United, 54 factors, +43
3. Arsenal, 51 factors, +39
4. Manchester City, 48 factors, +28