The Women’s Super League is back and the last weekend of games has some pretty interesting storylines. We take a look at five talking points going into this weekend’s action.
The Women’s Super League is back this weekend with five talking points going into this weekend’s games. Read more in detail here: women’s super league teams.
Before the international break, Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema will strive to put their teams ahead in the championship battle.
| King Power Stadium is the venue for this match. The date is Sunday, April 3rd. 12:30 p.m. GMT kick-off |
| Watch on Two, iPlayer, and the Sport website. |
The Women’s Super League resumes this weekend, with championship contenders Chelsea and Arsenal vying for first place ahead of the international break next week.
Can Leicester bounce back from their 9-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea last weekend? Will the return of Chloe Kelly help Manchester City’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League?
Here’s a rundown of what to expect this weekend.
Manchester City & Chelsea out for revenge
Manchester City and Chelsea will both seek vengeance in the rematches of matches that created surprises earlier in the season.
Reading upset Emma Hayes’ team to clinch a 1-0 victory in December, and West Ham struck back with a 2-0 victory at the Academy Stadium in October, inflicting City’s third consecutive WSL loss.
City would tie third-placed Manchester United on points with a victory, at least until the Reds play on Sunday, as the two local rivals compete for Champions League football next season.
City manager Gareth Taylor acknowledged that the Hammers’ home record was something to be “wary of” – they have only lost two home games this season – but added that the Blues were in a “nice rhythm” after their game against Birmingham City was postponed, giving them more training time.
Chelsea leads championship rivals Arsenal by one point at the top of the league, and with five games remaining, they cannot afford a slip-up.
Is it going to be another trying week for Leicester?
Leicester has suffered a number of big losses this season, the most recent of which occurred last weekend when Chelsea thrashed the Foxes 9-0, with the first three goals coming in the first ten minutes.
As if the day couldn’t get much worse, Molly Pike and Ashleigh Plumptre both had to leave the game due to injury, while Abbie McManus is still out.
Lydia Bedford, the Foxes’ manager, stated, “We’re still battling a little bit after the weekend – neither Ash nor Molly have returned to training.”
Chelsea’s title challengers Arsenal are arguably not the opponents you’d choose if you’re looking to rebound after a hammering.
Leicester have surrendered 11 goals without reply in their last two matches against Arsenal, who were dumped out of the Champions League earlier this week, and 43 in the WSL this season, second only to bottom-placed Birmingham.
“We’ve got two or three players who would usually be in the starting XI out,” Bedford said. “I believe it gives us a chance to rotate and evaluate where the rest of the group is at.”
The match will be shown live on Two on Sunday at 12:30 BST to see how the Foxes do.
Kelly is expected to return to Manchester City.
Manchester City’s season has not been the title-chasing season we’ve come to expect from the 2016 champions, with the Blues’ season marred by injuries and a terrible first half.
Kelly, who has not played for City since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament damage at the conclusion of last season, joined the list of long-term absentees with Esme Morgan, Vicky Losada, and, more recently, Steph Houghton.
Kelly was injured last season in City’s 4-0 WSL victory over Birmingham, being taken off after scoring two goals in the first half.
However, the 24-year-old winger, who scored 10 goals before her extended layoff, is poised to return this weekend to help City’s push for a European place.
“Chloe has a great foundation of training behind her. She has a smart appearance and seems to be prepared “Gareth Taylor, City’s manager, said.
“Having a guy like him return to the team is fantastic. We don’t anticipate the same level of play as previous season, but who knows?
“Suffering such an injury is a long process; there is no quick fix. It’s something she’ll have to keep up with, but she’s looking terrific so far “Taylor said.
Taylor also said that captain Houghton would most likely be out for the remainder of the season, and that it would be a “tough ask” for the defender to represent England at the Euros this summer.
United are aiming to bolster their team.
Manchester United take on Brighton on Sunday in a bid to qualify for the Women’s Champions League for the first time, and Reds manager Marc Skinner is hoping to close a few transactions to bolster his squad’s depth.
“We’re really close on a couple guys in terms of recruiting – it’s an all-year process,” Skinner added.
“Because of the Scandinavian and American leagues in the winter window, you may pull in more than only the summer window. You must set aside money in your budget for such areas.”
United have placed fourth in both of their WSL seasons and are three points ahead of City (who have a game in hand), but they will be encouraged by their record against the Seagulls, having lost just one of their previous five games.
“I’m quite satisfied with our improvement this year, but we still need to add quality to our depth. We need that depth in talent if we want to go head-to-head in every tournament. It’s something we’re absolutely considering “Skinner went on to say.
Everton is ‘desperate to climb higher in the league,’ according to the club.
Everton head to Birmingham on Friday in what may be the ideal chance for the Toffees to get back on track after losing seven of their previous nine FA WSL games, including the last three.
Everton manager Chris Roberts said that his team will have to “grind out results in every way we can” after allowing at least three goals in each of their previous three WSL outings.
“We’re anxious to go up the league table and better our current place – the league table doesn’t lie, but we’d want to be much higher up if we can. Every day, we put in a lot of effort “Added he.
Related Tags
- women’s super league standings
- wsl football
- womens premier league
