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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
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Jack Lacey-Hatton

5 things to watch in WSL this weekend including title showdown and fight for survival

One of the biggest fixtures of the Women's Super League season takes place this weekend when table-topping Man United travel to WSL title holders Chelsea.

Only two points separate the top two and with Arsenal and Man City still in the hunt, one of the most exciting seasons to date faces a potentially defining weekend. Chelsea came out on top in the reverse fixture between the two, but United haven't lost since that day and will travel to west London with an in-form Alessia Russo after her hat-trick against Leicester last week.

Elsewhere, title-chasing Arsenal host Reading in the Sunday evening fixture, while Man City could move level with United if they can collect all three points away at Brighton. Another huge fixture takes place at Prenton Park when Liverpool welcome Tottenham, with both sides still needing to confirm their safety from relegation. Here are the big talking points ahead of huge weekend in the top flight.

Can Man Utd confirm their title hype or will Chelsea stay in the driving seat?

Sunday's early kick-off (12:30) at Kingsmeadow has all the makings of a WSL classic. Man Utd will head to the holders top of the table and as joint-top goalscorers in the league after a 5-1 win over Leicester last Sunday.

For much of the season United have flirted with the title, their away win at Arsenal in November a big statement. But to prove themselves firmly as championship material they need to get past a side who have three titles on the trot.

The visitors are searching for their maiden win over Chelsea - in six WSL meetings, United are yet to claim a win over the Blues, while Chelsea have taken maximum points five times. United boss Marc Skinner did say: "This game won't define the title but we have to show we have the mental capacity to go into these games without fear of an opponent."

You can't blame Skinner for playing it down, but everyone knows how huge this is. Emma Hayes will be all too aware that a win on Sunday puts Chelsea two points clear with a game in hand - their abandoned game against Liverpool yet to be rearranged. From that position it would be difficult to see the Blues failing to retain their crown.

Lauren James of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Sam Kerr - both will be looking to send the Blues top of the WSL on Sunday (Getty Images / Manchester United)

Reinvigorated Blackstenius could maintain Arsenal's push for the title

Arsenal are starting to look like their old selves and made major statement when overwhelming Chelsea in the first-half to win the League Conti Cup final last week. The North London side not only claimed the first silverware of the season, but also the first trophy of the Jonas Eidevall reign.

It felt like a major psychological hurdle had been cleared last weekend and Arsenal will now be hoping to use it as a catalyst for the rest of their season. A win over Brighton in midweek kept them on Chelsea and Man Utd's coattails and with both of them unable to take maximum points this weekend, a trip to Reading provides a good opportunity for the Gunners to narrow the gap.

And for all the talk of lacking depth in forward positions, they have a player back in-form in striker Stina Blackstenius. The Swede produced arguably her best display of the season in the final, getting the crucial equaliser and followed that up with a goal against Brighton. Another win at Reading would top off an excellent week for Arsenal.

Can fixtures survive Storm Larisa?

With one set of fixtures this season, back in January, previously hit by postponements the last thing the WSL needs is more games under threat from the weather. But the heavy snowfall seen in the UK over the past few days has seen league officials on high alert and pitches will be monitored in the coming days.

With London and the south not as badly effected so far as other parts of the country, four of the six games, including Brighton's game with Man City, should be ok barring any further snowstorms. But the Met Office has issued amber warnings for northern England, the Midlands and north Wales.

This means Liverpool's clash with Spurs and Leicester's game Everton could both be at risk. Supporters, players and staff from those clubs will be keen to see an improvement over the weekend.

Several football fixtures could be at risk this weekend (Getty Images)

Tottenham look to move away from drop zone with England potentially back in the fold

After a poor run of form Tottenham are in serious need of three points when they travel to Merseyside. Liverpool also need at least one more win this season to confirm their safety, as the battle to avoid the drop heats up.

Rehanne Skinner said she is "hopeful" of calling upon Beth England again who hasn't featured since before the international break. England has already made a difference since signing from Chelsea in January, but Spurs now need her goals to translate into points.

Shelina Zadorsky will be missing through illness, but Liverpool have their own injury problems with half a team currently missing. It is all set-up for a huge game on Sunday, the winner will be closing in of safety, the loser will be set for an extremely nervy finish to the season.

Will sparks fly again between Aston Villa and West Ham?

A win for Aston Villa at home to West Ham would have them in pole position to finish fifth after beating Everton last time out. The Hammers did at one stage look a good bet for a top half finish themselves and the point they took against Arsenal shows the progress they have made.

But a run of one win in five league games means this is a 'must-win' if they want to finish in the top half. West Ham could take inspiration from the last meeting between the two, when they won a bad-tempered clash 2-1.

Manager Paul Konchesky and player, Hawa Cissoko were both sent off in a fiery end to the game, that saw unsavoury scenes between both dugouts in the closing stages. Cissoko was even given an extended ban for her red card, which she received after striking opponent Sarah Mayling.

Will sparks fly again when the two teams meet for the first time since that fiery encounter? We'll have to wait and see...

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