i have crunch time women’s super league And with less than two weeks left in the season, the fate of the top four teams in the table is yet to be decided with the title and Champions League Qualifying places are still on the line.
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armory And Chelsea There are still three matches to play, and so each has a game for both Manchester United And Manchester City, but United are at the top of the table by one point from defending champions Chelsea. Arsenal and City are five points behind Chelsea, with goal difference dividing the two sides as they battle for the third and final European spot.
Starting with Leaders United, here’s what to watch for in the top four — and a prediction for how each will ultimately pan out.
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In their fourth season in the top flight, United have already bettered their previous points tally of 47 from 2020-21 as they top the table with 50 points, with two games remaining, they will qualify for next season. Champions League football is guaranteed. A higher goal difference (+42) than City in fourth (+25).
The Red Devils will not be given an easy ride in their last two games of the season, and will have to travel after hosting the Manchester derby to face a liverpool A team that has already beaten both Chelsea and City at Prenton Park.
Although they are six points better than their cross-town rivals, United have never beaten City in the league, but have managed some very creditable draws so far in their short existence. coming in from behind Chelsea lost in the FA Cup finalThe Red Devils will have even more incentive to collect maximum points but this is a fixture that is likely to be a draw.
After City, United face Liverpool on the last day of the season and depending on how the final round of fixtures ends, they will be in the running for the title. The Reds, despite standing on the table (seventh), have proved difficult opposition on their day and should United not be on a song, they could easily lose on the last day. However, I can see this team finishing strongly on Merseyside and taking all three points.
Estimated Expiration: second place
The defending champions have certainly been fighting for their best football this season but have kept themselves in contention through sheer force of will and self-belief, as they showed at Wembley at the weekend. When they won their third FA Cup in a row,
Chelsea, still working through their backlog of games, will have to face West Ham United Before hosting Arsenal and then ending the season in bottom club Study, With 49 just one point behind United, Chelsea are chasing them and eating up all their goal difference – drawing themselves level on +42 with the last kick. last week’s 6-0 win Above leicester city,
West Ham are in a sorry state this season; They haven’t won a game in the WSL since December. Even against a tired Chelsea team, the Hammers are likely to struggle on Wednesday as the last time they met the Blues won 7-0 in the League Cup.
After West Ham, Chelsea will face off against familiar foes Arsenal, who themselves have struggled for a bit this season. In a similar situation to the mid-week game, both teams are likely to come into the clash with heavy legs and struggling players of varying levels of fitness and readiness.
But Chelsea, with their improved squad depth and more players returning from injury – as opposed to Arsenal struggling with things going the other way for them at the moment – will fancy their chances against their London rivals. However, to keep the last weekend spicy, I am predicting a second league draw between the two this season.
Finally, Chelsea will travel to the Select Car Leasing Stadium to face relegation-battling Reading – the Royals’ relegation may have been confirmed until next Saturday. Chelsea could already have confirmed another title by May 27, but it looks more likely that all three points will be needed in the game should that be a formality.
Estimated Expiration: champions
The season started at a knotty rate, with injuries somewhat derailing Arsenal’s campaign. While they are still mathematically in the mix for the title on 44 points, they will need an exceptional result to reach the top of the heap.
mid week trip everton First, the Gunners will return to London to face off against Chelsea before finishing the season at home Aston Villa, the WSL’s current “best of the rest” ranks fifth with 33 points. Although the Toffees have shown bright moments this season, they have struggled for consistency and their last outing – a 7-0 thrashing of Chelsea – highlights some of the issues facing manager Brian Sorensen.
While no one expects Everton to score seven goals again, Arsenal should prove too much for the hosts on Wednesday and are likely to return to the capital with all three points. Like their weekend opposition, Arsenal would have an extra midweek game in the legs, although unlike Chelsea, the Gunners had a rested weekend. But, looking to re-balance the scales, Arsenal will have a trip to Merseyside and back on their feet until they get over the line at Kingsmeadow on Sunday.
Two teams that are probably a bit bored at the sight of each other by now, I can see this setting up a grandstand on the final day of fixtures ending in a draw. Finally, Arsenal will face Aston Villa in what will be no easy task, at least with European qualification on the line. A stubborn team that has progressed well this season, Villa will provide a late headache for Arsenal but the Gunners can lean on a strong home record and are likely to edge the tie to claim all three points.
estimated completion, third place
A mixed bag this season, City have shown moments of brilliance but have often failed to capitalize on their dominance in the game and left the door open, leaving them sub-par at the business end of the season, outside Champions League qualification. going with. target difference.
City are level with Arsenal on 44 points, but fourth in the table by virtue of having a goal difference (+25) lower than the Gunners (+34) by 44 points. City will need to put in two very strong performances in their last two games of the season, but could already be out of the running if things go wrong in their match against Manchester United this weekend. Having already played some classic matches against its neighbours, the city has had the advantage of playing almost free hits. While many have already written him off for a top-three spot, most of the pressure is on his opposition.
This could be the key for City to pull out some better football and dip into their strong league history against United, but a draw seems the more likely outcome. Finally, City will host Everton, who have had a very busy month themselves and will likely come into the game a little more fatigued and focussed more on getting to the end of the season rather than going out in a blaze of glory. . There’s little left to play for.
In contrast, the Citizens will look to end what has been a tumultuous season with a show of power should they pick up three points from their final campaign of the campaign.
Estimated Expiry: fourth place
Predicted top four finishes, with points and goal difference
1. Chelsea, 56 points, +48
2. Manchester United, 54 points, +43
3. Arsenal, 51 points, +39
4. Manchester City, 48 points, +28
