The battle for Women's Super League glory is heating up, and the first of a tantalising run of potential title-deciders is underway this week as the WSL returns after its two-week hiatus.
Manchester United, who sit top of the WSL table, kick-off affairs as they host Arsenal on Wednesday evening. The Gunners sit three points off Marc Skinners' side and level with Manchester City, but tout a game in hand to both. Chelsea meanwhile sit second in the table, a point adrift of United but with a game in hand themselves.
The scene is certainly set for a mouth-watering final few weeks of the WSL season and with United and Chelsea set to face off at Wembley next month for a chance at the coveted FA Women's Cup, and Chelsea and Arsenal still vying for European triumph, the margins for error have significantly shrunk.
Chelsea have suffered some defensive setbacks, with both Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan sustaining injuries. Arsenal too will have to see out the remainder of the season without Scotland international Kim Little.
Will those setbacks prove decisive in United's mission to claim a first-ever league title? Or will historic know-how come good? Our women's football writers discuss the potential whims of the WSL season below.
Louise Wilkes - Manchester United
Should Manchester United pull another three points clear of Arsenal tomorrow night, they’re nicely set for league glory, in my opinion.
They're the only side to remain in the single digits for goals conceded, hats off to the consistent back four and Mary Earps , while also tallying up the most goals scored in the league to date (46 to second place Chelsea’s 42) kudos to the 14 Reds who have found the back of the net this season.
Their game has developed tenfold throughout the year, with Ella Toone, Alessia Russo, Leah Galton and Ona Batlle in particular dialling up the ante when it comes to big-occasion games. And for the Reds, that’s three out of their final four WSL clashes (Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester City).
United have the toughest stint to glory but on their day they have outperformed the top dogs and been highly unfortunate to come away with only one win out of three of those big hitters of late.
Out of the three sides breathing down their necks, I think the Gunners are probably United’s biggest threat regarding the title, they’re able to take points from the current leaders and be on level terms with a game in hand.
Point to note, Aston Villa, while fifth and out of the race by a stretch, have the potential to cause heartbreak. They could sting both United and Arsenal in their remaining fixtures with a draw against either side. They have the talent and grit to do it, having rumbled City and troubled Chelsea at the weekend.
All that being said, the Red’s schooled Villa 5-0 already this season, so it might all come down to Wednesday’s game with an Arsenal side who are still hurting without attacking super-duo Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, and now Kim Little - it’s a huge blow to take.
A turbulent season for Jonas Eidevall which begs a question: where are Arsenal’s priorities, domestic league or Europe? Granted with more rest post-international break may give them the edge they need, compared to United’s weekend struggle through an FA Cup clash against the bottom-of-the-table side Brighton, but sometimes, less is more.
Megan Feringa - Chelsea
History matters in title races and if there’s one team with the know-how to back them when the margins get microcosmic, it’s Chelsea.
Three successive league titles is evidential, but even after an atypical stuttering start to the season, Chelsea have looked on blistering form of late, barring their FA WSL Cup final performance against Arsenal. Still, one can’t help but glean the sense that Hayes and co. have come to relish in some small way being the chasers venomously shrinking the gap to the top.
It’s relative new territory, but Chelsea have sussed the formula for winning big games, and the rest of the season is littered with them. Striker Sam Kerr continues to effuse evidence of why she’s so ridiculously dangerous in these settings, and if that form continues, Chelsea feel untouchable.
Nevertheless, the Blues are still on the hunt for a first piece of silverware this season and are fighting on three fronts, which could prove perilous if injuries continue to mount. The loss of Bright and Buchanan are heady blows to Hayes’ defence.
The UEFA Women’s Champions League is the obvious big prize, having eluded the club’s Hayes era thus far. Whether Europe will take priority or if Chelsea’s spoils in squad depth can come to the fore as matches come thick and fast will prove the decisive question.
United are the obvious surprise package this season. Victory over Arsenal on Wednesday is paramount. But count City out at your peril. Did anyone expect them here at the turn of the year? Certainly not this writer. Clawing themselves back into this title conversation deserves respect.
Beth Lindop - Chelsea
It’s shaping up to be a title race for the ages and, while there will undoubtedly be some twists and turns in the weeks to come, it’s hard to look past Chelsea when pondering who is best equipped to get their hands on the WSL trophy.
Hayes’ side cultivated an air of infallibility following their anomalous opening day faux pas against newly-promoted Liverpool. Their aptitude for relentlessly grinding out results was exemplified by their stunning 21-game unbeaten run in all competitions following that conspicuous misstep on Merseyside.
The fact that unbeaten run was halted by title rivals Arsenal - in March’s League Cup Final - will perhaps be a cause for mild consternation among those of a Chelsea persuasion. The league meeting between those two sides at Kingsmeadow on May 21 is almost certain to have a say on which corner of London (or, indeed, of Manchester) the title ends up in.
If Arsenal do manage to dash Chelsea’s hopes of a fourth consecutive league championship, it will be a remarkable achievement considering they have been without their two talismans in attack - Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema - for much of the campaign.
The involvement of both Arsenal and Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League could also prove decisive, with both Emma Hayes and Jonas Eidevall having to manage injury-hit squads as they navigate a congested calendar of fixtures.
A lack of involvement in European competition could perhaps be Manchester United’s greatest strength as the current league leaders bid to crown a superb season with a first major trophy.
However, with Chelsea having won seven of the nine domestic honours on offer over the course of the last three seasons, their guile and know-how - not to mention the rampant goalscoring form of star striker Kerr - should be enough to see the Blues come out on top.
Hannah Pinnock - Manchester City
I’ll be honest, I’ve been sat here for the best part of an hour trying to decide who I’d put my money on to lift the WSL title this season. It feels like an impossible task.
That’s testament to just how exciting this campaign has been, but with four teams in the hunt it’s fair to say there’s plenty of twists and turns yet to come. But, I’m going to push the boat out and say Manchester City.
Defeat to Arsenal in their last league game has no doubt dented their hopes, but they’re still just three points behind their arch rivals in Manchester United, who are top of the standings. The sensational turnaround after losing so many key players last summer and an underwhelming start to the season indicates they have what it takes to go all the way.
Despite looking down and out, Gareth Taylor’s side have clawed their way back into the conversation and blown the race wide open. They could capitalise on the fact they’re the only team with all their eggs in this basket.
Chelsea not only have an FA Cup final on the horizon, but they also have two huge Champions League semi-final clashes against European giants Barcelona to contend. Hayes’ side have shown time and time again they have what it takes to get over the line, but the prospect of finally clinching the one trophy that has always evaded them could take even the slightest percentage from their league form.
It’s a similar story with Arsenal and their squad has just become even more depleted with stalwart Kim Little ruled out for the remainder of the campaign through injury. Something will have to give and they have the toughest run-in with games against Manchester United and Chelsea to come.
United, for me, are also strong favourites. They’re top of the standings at the moment and have shown so much quality this season. However, they too will have eyes on another competition as they prepare for their first ever final and a trip to Wembley to battle it out with Chelsea for the FA Cup.
All eyes will be on Manchester next month for the penultimate game of the season and there’s a strong possibility it could be a decider. While it’s impossible to predict outcomes, there’s one thing that is for certain - we’re in for the most exciting and thrilling end to a domestic season we’ve encountered in a long time.
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