WSL talking points: Manchester City to steal march on Chelsea and move top? Arsenal to bounce back live on Sky? | Football News

Man City with chance to go top

Saturday represents an opportunity for Man Metropolis to ascend Chelsea’s throne, quickly at the very least. Gareth Taylor’s aspect would go high by beating native rivals Manchester United on the Etihad, earlier than the reigning champions play a day later. It is at all times a bonus to go first.

Metropolis had been excellent in opposition to Brighton final week, successful 4-1, and look intent on ending the league season strongly after crashing out of each cup competitions the week prior. The WSL is Metropolis’s solely saviour, and single hope of silverware.

Opta provides them a 32.9 per cent probability of beating Chelsea to the title, which feels low contemplating each side are locked on 40 factors, however their run-in is infinitely more durable with a derby nonetheless to contest and a gathering with Arsenal to barter in early Could.

A derby win on Saturday can be the primary time Metropolis have gotten the higher of their neighbours twice in a league marketing campaign, having already triumphed 3-1 at Previous Trafford.

It could even be a substantial blow for Marc Skinner, who can be celebrating his a centesimal WSL recreation accountable for United. Of all managers to have overseen 100+ video games, Skinner’s win report can solely be bettered by Nick Cushing and Emma Hayes.

Chelsea look unstoppable – Live on Sky

Sunday twenty fourth March 4:00pm


Kick off 4:30pm

Be careful, imperious Chelsea are on the cost. Contemporary from beating Ajax 3-0 midweek, and placing one foot within the Champions League semis, the Blues journey to east London to tackle West Ham on Sunday.

Their relentless schedule exhibits no indicators of slowing however Hayes seems to have a solution for each problem thrown Chelsea’s manner.

Mirroring Friday’s spectacular win over Arsenal, Lauren James scored the opener in Amsterdam earlier than Sjoeke Nusken discovered the web twice as Chelsea secured a fifth win in 16 days – 5 video games into their eight in March. April appears to be like busy too.

Ought to they keep this formidable kind, a historic quadruple is properly and actually on. The Blues have gained every of their final three away outings within the league with out conceding, that is regardless of struggling a heavy casualty record: Sam Kerr, Mia Fishel, Mayra Ramirez, Millie Vibrant, Natalie Bjorn and Maren Mjelde are amongst these sidelined.

That issues much less when you may have the depth of high quality Chelsea have, although. There was an enormous step up from James this season – solely Khadija Shaw (16) has scored extra WSL targets than the Chelsea starlet (13) – whereas Nusken, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Melanie Leupolz have additionally been standout.

Villa will test Arsenal’s bounce back – Live on Sky

Sunday twenty fourth March 6:30pm


Kick off 6:45pm

Arsenal’s flat efficiency in opposition to Chelsea final week bought folks speaking. The Gunners had been put to process, and but, all of the pre-match chatter centred on how Jonas Eidevall’s aspect had the sting, high quality and personnel to derail Chelsea’s quadruple bid. The truth was removed from it.

Arsenal had been torn aside by a severely depleted Chelsea XI, conceding 3 times in 32 first-half minutes to all however finish their probabilities of WSL glory this season. It was a efficiency that highlighted most, if not all, of Arsenal’s frailties, underpinned by weak defensive form, big gaps in midfield and poor recreation administration.

An error-strewn first 45 minutes basically put the end result past them with Eidevall accepting post-match his aspect “performed into Chelsea’s palms”. This week will check how a lot stuffing has been knocked out with a visit to Aston Villa, dwell on Sky Sports activities.

Any additional errors opens the door to Manchester United and Liverpool, each six factors behind, within the race for Champions League soccer. To give up a European spot as this late stage can be devastating for the north Londoners, which means speedy bounce again is an absolute should.

Reds have Europe in sight

A top-four end would have been a stretch goal for Liverpool at the beginning of this season – their second top-flight marketing campaign after incomes promotion in 2022. However with six video games to go, the prospect is a really actual risk.

Ending fourth doesn’t earn you something tangible within the WSL however can be vastly important for Matt Beard’s aspect after a turbulent few years, which noticed them spend two seasons within the Championship.

The Reds have now equalled their second-highest WSL factors tally after beating West Ham final weekend. Huge strides. Actually, the final time Liverpool amassed extra factors than they’ve now they gained the league, albeit the usual has dramatically elevated since 2013.

Subsequent is up a Merseyside derby, the place a win, ought to different outcomes additionally fall kindly, can be ok to leapfrog Man United. Double candy.

Sunday would be the third time the 2 halves of Liverpool have met in aggressive motion this season, with the stability delicately poised at one win every, though it is Everton who boast the newest league triumph – a 1-0 victory again in October.

WSL fixtures this weekend

March 23: Manchester Metropolis vs Manchester United, kick-off 12.30pm

March 24: Everton vs Liverpool, kick-off 1pm

March 24: Bristol Metropolis vs Tottenham, kick-off 2pm

March 24: Leicester vs Brighton, kick-off 3pm

March 24: West Ham vs Chelsea, dwell on Sky Sports activities Soccer, kick-off 4.30pm

March 24: Aston Villa vs Arsenal, dwell on Sky Sports activities Soccer, kick-off 6.45pm

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