WSL returns: Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City in title race as West Ham and Bristol City scrap at bottom | Football News

The WSL returns this weekend, with two video games stay on Sky Sports activities on Sunday. However the place did we depart issues and what’s developing in 2024?

Twists and turns within the title race

There have been two shock twists within the WSL title race earlier than the winter break. Firstly, Arsenal had been 4-1 winners in opposition to Chelsea – their solely lack of the season to date – sending the Gunners stage on factors with the Blues.

Jonas Eidevall’s aspect had been unable to consolidate that win the next week, dropping the North London Derby for the primary time within the WSL to Tottenham.

Chelsea went on to beat Bristol Metropolis the identical weekend, re-establishing their three-point lead on the high of the WSL.

However their winter break has been marred by an ACL harm to Sam Kerr, though they’ve already signed Nathalie Bjorn from Everton. Arsenal too have landed USA worldwide defender Emily Fox as groups proceed to strengthen forward of the WSL’s return.

The Blues sit on 25 factors, with Manchester Metropolis – who will play stay on Sky Sports activities this weekend – and Arsenal stage on 22 factors in second and third respectively. Gareth Taylor’s aspect are second on purpose distinction, and have considerably been quietly going about their enterprise.

Since a shock 1-0 defeat to Brighton in November, Man Metropolis have received all 4 of their WSL video games, together with a 3-1 win in opposition to Manchester United and a 7-0 thrashing of Tottenham. In that point, they’ve scored 16 targets and conceded simply three.

It’s going to maybe be Arsenal who will really feel essentially the most aggrieved at their place within the desk. They’ve received matches in opposition to their high three rivals Chelsea and Man Metropolis, and drew with Manchester United. However defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham have been damaging, highlighting how the hole between groups is closing within the WSL.

It solely demonstrates additional how each sport and each level issues within the tightest of leads.

Sunday twenty first January 2:30pm


Kick off 2:30pm

Can Man Utd, Liverpool or Spurs catch the highest three?

One in all final season’s title contenders, Man Utd, already discover themselves 4 factors from the highest three and 7 from Chelsea in first. It could already be too massive of a spot to shut to safe one other Champions League spot.

There have been some massive outcomes for Unitd too – together with 5-0 wins in opposition to West Ham and Everton – however half of their WSL video games to date have been attracts or defeats.

A type of got here in opposition to native rivals Liverpool earlier than the break, which was the Reds’ first-ever win in opposition to Man Utd within the WSL.

It sees Liverpool stage on 18 factors with Man Utd on solely their second season again within the WSL. It’s a testomony to the squad Matt Beard has constructed and the tradition he’s constructing on the membership.

One other group impressing this season is Tottenham, presently three factors behind Man Utd and Liverpool. Robert Vilahamn has been eager to stay to his enjoying fashion, which has generally been to Spurs’ detriment.

Sunday twenty first January 7:30pm


Kick off 6:45pm

However their win in opposition to Arsenal in December was validation for Vilahamn, they usually have already added to their ranks in January with Matilda Vinberg and Charlotte Grant.

After Tottenham, there are a bunch of 4 groups who usually are not going to be urgent on the high this season, may doubtlessly be dragged into the relegation race, however extra seemingly is not going to be.

Simply three factors separate Everton in seventh with Brighton in tenth. Maybe essentially the most shocking group in that blend is Aston Villa, who had been a part of final season’s chasing pack.

Carla Ward’s aspect had a dismal begin to the season, however three wins within the final two months have pushed them up the WSL desk. A type of got here in opposition to Brighton, who’re nonetheless discovering their toes beneath new coach Melissa Phillips.

Leicester had been one of many groups impressing within the early levels of the season, however a dip in kind has seen then drop into eighth. They haven’t received since early October, drawing their final two video games in opposition to Brighton and West Ham.

Everton too have three WSL wins on the board of their 10 video games to date, though solely the Hammers have scored fewer league targets this season.

Will West Ham’s signings make a distinction within the relegation battle?

Two groups are presently locked on 5 factors on the backside of the WSL desk – West Ham and Bristol Metropolis, with the Robins promoted from the Championship final season. Rehanne Skinner’s aspect are simply forward of backside spot on purpose distinction.

Both sides have received only one WSL sport this season. Bristol Metropolis beat the Hammers when the 2 met in early November. West Ham had been 2-0 winners in opposition to Brighton of their second sport of the season.

There’s little to separate the 2 both. Bristol Metropolis have scored two extra targets than West Ham, however have conceded 5 extra too. As issues stand, it might be the smallest of margins – and even purpose distinction – that might resolve who stays up this season.

However the Hammers have made excellent signings within the switch market – one that will be spectacular even with out the specter of relegation. They embrace the signings of USA worldwide Kristie Mewis, Australia midfielder Katrina Gorry, in addition to defender Shelina Zadorsky on mortgage from Tottenham.

After I visited London for the primary time, I went to my first soccer match at Upton Park. The tradition and vitality of West Ham captivated me straightaway and nothing has ever lived as much as that second – it was one of many happiest days of my life. It seems like I’ve come a full circle from that second and it is unimaginable to now be formally a part of the West Ham household.

There shall be loads of stress on them to assist flip West Ham’s fortunes round. Mewis arrives in England having received the NWSL title with NJ/NY Gotham final season within the USA. Zadorsky has spent 4 years within the WSL, whereas Gorry is a stalwart for her nation and has years {of professional} soccer expertise beneath her belt.

Signing such gamers not solely exhibits how significantly West Ham are taking their present predicament, but additionally the worth of getting a Premier League membership behind you.

However because the saying goes, it isn’t over till it is over, and there are nonetheless 12 video games to play. In soccer, something can occur and Bristol Metropolis shall be hoping they are often those to tug away.

Their ace might be their fanbase. The Robins are attracting nearly 9,000 folks to Ashton Gate on common, far exceeding West Ham’s attendances.

There’s a lot to be mentioned for the facility within the stands, and Bristol Metropolis might want to harness that for what’s proving to be the tightest of relegation races.

What’s developing in 2024?

The WSL returns this weekend, with two video games stay on Sky Sports activities on Sunday. Man Metropolis will tackle Liverpool (kick-off 2.30pm), earlier than West Ham host Tottenham (kick-off 6.45pm).

Each Arsenal and Chelsea shall be again on Sky Sports activities the next weekend. The Blues tackle Brighton on Saturday January 27 (kick-off 5.30pm), earlier than Arsenal journey to Liverpool on Sunday January 28 (kick-off 4.30pm).

On the identical day, Bristol Metropolis and West Ham meet once more in an enormous match for the relegation race as Man Metropolis face a tricky journey to Tottenham.

In February, chasing groups Liverpool and Tottenham play on Sunday February 4, earlier than Chelsea and Man Metropolis face off in a title battle two weeks later.

Heading the remaining months of the season, there shall be mouthwatering return fixtures within the North London derby, Manchester derby and Chelsea vs Arsenal.

Easy methods to comply with the WSL on Sky Sports activities’ digital platforms

Observe all the newest from the Girls’s Tremendous League throughout SkySports.com and app, together with unique options and interviews, plus devoted stay weblog protection and in-game clips from video games stay on Sky Sports activities.

You too can watch free match highlights from each WSL sport this season on Sky Sports activities’ digital platforms and YouTube channel, whereas all matches will proceed to be proven on each Sky Sports activities Soccer, in addition to on Sky Showcase, accessible in all Sky properties, even with no Sky Sports activities bundle, giving the competitors larger visibility.

Alongside protection and visibility for the league throughout all Sky Sports activities’ important social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @SkySportsWSL will proceed to be the house of all Barclays FA WSL content material on Sky Sports activities.

The Sky Sports activities WSL TikTok account provides followers 360° protection of the league and granting them unique entry to their new favorite gamers. By means of enjoyable challenges and interviews, together with behind-the-scenes footage, viewers will get to know the WSL’s array of personalities and see the game from a brand new set of angles.

In the meantime, followers may maintain updated with every little thing on and off the pitch with Three Gamers and a Podcast, hosted by Caroline Barker.