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This Sunday, the focus shifted from the Premier League to the Women’s Super League as the highly anticipated match between Liverpool and Manchester City took place. However, this Friday could be a decisive moment for the WSL as Chelsea faces Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. Just like in the Premier League, there are three teams in the running for the top spot in the WSL. Chelsea currently sits at the top of the table, tied with Manchester City, while Arsenal trails behind by three points.
In a league with 12 teams, the winning team has never lost more than two games. Chelsea and City have both reached this limit, while the Gunners have experienced three losses. The eventual champion may need to have a perfect record in their final seven games.
In December, Arsenal set the standard with a 4-1 victory against Chelsea at the Emirates. A loss on Friday would have serious consequences, as it would create a six-point deficit to the top spot and essentially eliminate them from the competition. A loss for Chelsea would give City a significant advantage, intensifying the pressure for both teams.
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Last week, Stina Blackstenius had three goals in a match against Aston Villa in the Continental Cup. It’s always a challenge to play against someone with such speed who can make runs behind the defense. Chelsea will have to defend exceptionally well in order to earn points. Arsenal have arguably the best squad in the league and the opportunity to chase down the other two. Their home victory over Chelsea was the performance of the season and they need to replicate that. The Gunners have great variety in attack, making them able to adapt to circumstances. Whether they need runners in behind or more crosses into the box, they have a squad of problem-solvers.
The team Arsenal has the lowest number of goals among the top three teams, with 12 less than Chelsea. Alessia Russo, their leading scorer, has only scored six goals. However, having a prolific striker is not necessary for a team to be successful. Arsenal relies on contributions from all team members. With the return of Beth Mead from injury, Caitlin Foord on the opposite wing, and Blackstenius as another strong option at the front, Arsenal has a well-rounded attack.
Unfortunately, the City team faced a letdown when they were eliminated from two domestic cup tournaments within a week. However, this setback allows them to concentrate solely on their performance in the league. In contrast, Chelsea, similar to Liverpool, is currently facing challenges on multiple fronts due to injuries. They have upcoming matches in the Continental Cup final and FA Cup semi-finals, in addition to their involvement in the Champions League. This will undoubtedly put added pressure on their already strained squad, especially with the upcoming quarter-final against Ajax being played over two legs.  In attack, Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel are out with anterior cruciate ligament injuries and Mayra Ramírez was forced off in the Continental Cup win over City. Hayes’s options are dwindling and finding answers to her selection problems is becoming more difficult. Consistency in attack is imperative and the constant requirement to change could become an issue for Chelsea.
Chelsea’s manager will be departing at the end of the season, similar to Liverpool’s situation. Many players were recruited by Hayes, who played a significant role in bringing me to the team. I imagine others also felt a similar attraction. They will likely be motivated to win for Hayes, but some may have concerns about the future and the impact of potential changes. Hayes has established a high standard at Chelsea for 10 years and everyone will strive to see her off on a successful note. However, they will also want to achieve it for their own personal satisfaction. Bypass the advertisement for the newsletter. after newsletter promotion City will not mind ruining the fairytale ending. They have conceded nine goals in 15 games and have the league’s top scorer in Khadija Shaw, who has three more than her nearest rival, Chelsea’s Lauren James. A key reason for their success at the back is the emergence of the 19-year-old Khiara Keating, who is the epitome of the modern goalkeeper: good with her feet and an excellent shot stopper. She’s made a number of match-winning saves.
City have achieved five consecutive victories in the league and it wouldn’t surprise me if they also secure wins in their last seven matches, even against Arsenal at home on the second to last weekend. The only potential obstacle for City’s success would be if they were to lose one of their attacking players. Shaw, Lauren Hemp, and Chloe Kelly have been outstanding, so if this trio were to be separated for any reason, it could negatively impact their performance. Whereas other clubs have needed to change their front line regularly, City’s have been the most consistent. They complement each other very well; a centre-forward is reliant on service and Hemp and Kelly provide that by being able to beat full-backs and put in a cross.
The upcoming matches for the top three teams are crucial due to the small margin for mistakes. Any slip-up could jeopardize their chances of winning the title in May. Therefore, it is vital for each team to have their top players stay composed. The key is to see which team can keep their composure and play at their highest level. Source: theguardian.com |
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