After a week where the FA Cup and transfer deadline day took the spotlight, the Women's Super League returns this weekend for the penultimate round before February's international break.
Only five points separate the top four in the race for the title, while Leicester's improvement since the winter break has breathed life into the battle to avoid the drop. After postponements blighted the last round a fortnight ago, fans have a full programme of games to enjoy, including two on Saturday.
Then Sunday sees two big London derbies, with Tottenham hosting reigning champions Chelsea and West Ham welcoming title-chasing Arsenal. Here are the big talking points ahead of huge weekend in the top flight.
With Russo retained, can Man Utd again show title credentials?
The fallout from deadline day continues, but the main takeaway is that forward Alessia Russo will stay at Manchester United despite two world-record bids from rivals Arsenal. The England star is still out of contract in the summer but at least manager Marc Skinner knows he can rely on her for the rest of the campaign.
She will first be seen back in a United shirt against an in-form Everton side who could pose a serious threat to derailing the Red Devils' title challenge. But a win would be another sign of how Skinner's side are genuine contenders, having blown Liverpool away and rallied to win late at Reading recently.
Skinner said earlier this week that he has no doubts over Russo's commitment to the course at United; what better way to show that on the pitch with a goal or two? Arsenal and Chelsea also have tricky tests in their respective London derbies, so a win for United could set them at the top of the table.
Leicester could make major survival statement
Willie Kirk is starting to have a big impact at Leicester. The Foxes are still at the foot of the table with three points, but looked a lost cause before Christmas. Since the winter break, they have shown a new resolve and are no longer pushovers to the rest of the league.
Thrashing Brighton 3-0 a few weeks back has given them real hope they can avoid the drop. Even their cup performances point towards a team that is capable of competing. Kirk's team only exited the FA Cup on the lottery of penalties after a 2-2 draw with Reading last week.
This weekend's opponents, Manchester City, only managed a very narrow win against Leicester in the Conti Cup a few weeks back and we could see another close contest this time at the King Power Stadium. Even a point for Leicester would be a huge statement of intent and have the teams sitting just above them in the table looking nervously over their shoulders.
England hopefuls looking to stake claim for Arnold Clark Cup
England's squad for the Arnold Clark Cup games against Italy, Korea Republic and Belgium will be announced next week. That means this weekend is the final chance for players on the fringes of the team to impress Sarina Wiegman.
Beth England has a big chance to stake her claim when taking on former club Chelsea for the second time since her big-money move last month. A good performance against the WSL holders and her former teammates would give Wiegman a tough call to make.
The likes of Nikita Parris and Katie Robinson also impressed in the FA Cup last weekend and if they can maintain their form, the selection choice in the forward department could become tricky. February's tournament is England's biggest warm-up for this summer's World Cup finals, so inclusion in the squad is critical.
Liverpool and Reading set for rematch after thriller
The last time Liverpool and Reading met in the WSL, they gave us one of the games of the season. Six goals were split evenly back in November at the Select Car Leasing Stadium thanks to an 89th-minute goal from Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen.
The two meet again for the first time since that crazy night with each in desperate need of three points. Liverpool have had a tough resumption after the winter break; they were well beaten by Manchester United, exited the Conti Cup to West Ham and endured a farcical abandonment at Chelsea.
It will still be considered a good first season back if Matt Beard can steer them to safety, and the re-signing of Natasha Dowie on-loan from Sunday's opponents should give everyone a lift. Liverpool need goals, as only rock-bottom Leicester have scored fewer this season, and Dowie has a track record of finding the net for the Reds.
Can Villa maintain strong start to 2023 with Brighton double-header?
Few clubs have had a better 2023 than Aston Villa. Not only have the Midlands club seen Carla Ward agree a new contract, they have also added quality to their squad in the form of Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Staniforth.
On the pitch, they have only lost once since January 1 - a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal in the Conti Cup - but took four points from games against Tottenham and Manchester City in the WSL. This weekend gives them another chance to take a step in the right direction when they welcome struggling Brighton.
Rachel Daly will also be keen to continue her hot streak in front of goal after hitting four in an 11-0 FA Cup win over Fylde last week; she is another player looking for England call-up. If Villa can beat the Seagulls this weekend, it will set them up nicely to do the double over their opponents, who they play again a week later.
Six points from the two games would have Ward's team firmly in the hunt for a fifth-place finish, alongside Everton in the battle to be considered the 'best of the rest'.
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