Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal all have a strong chance of winning the Women's Super League this season; just six games remain in one of the most tightest WSL title races ever; follow the rest of the WSL season live on Sky Sports until May 27
Saturday 1 April 2023 21:42, UK
The tightest and most hotly-contested Women's Super League title race is approaching the final straight.
In a topsy-turvy campaign, four of the country's biggest clubs - Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal - still hold a strong chance of lifting the Women's Super League title on May 27, with just three points separating the quartet.
Add in title showdowns between the four teams, the impact of FA Cup and Champions League distractions - plus a close race in the goal difference tallies - and every single point, goal and result is going to count over the next eight weeks.
So which team has the best chance of winning the league? What makes this the go-to title race to keep your eyes on this season?
Remaining WSL fixtures: Arsenal (H) - April 22, Aston Villa (A) - April 29, Tottenham (H) - May 7, Man City (H) - May 21, Liverpool (A) - May 27
* Live on Sky Sports
Currently, Manchester United are at the top of the tree and you can't say they don't deserve it. Marc Skinner's side are the league's top goalscorers and they've also conceded the fewest.
That means United are in the best possible position in terms of goal difference. Their title rivals will do well to catch up with United's monster total of 37.
What is particularly noticeable is the way United spread their goals around their attack. If it's not Alessia Russo on the scoresheet, then it's Leah Galton. Or Ella Toone. Or super sub Lucia Garcia.
United challenging for the WSL title could well have an impact on whether top-scorer Russo - who was the subject of a world-record bid from Arsenal in January - stays at the club beyond this summer.
The England forward's contract expires in July - could having her hands on a first ever league trophy, securing Champions League football in the process, boost United's position at the negotiating table?
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner speaking after his side thumped Brighton 4-0:
"I've said to the players, if you look at our energy to continue pressing until the 98th minute, our team run both ways, that for me is a real sign of a team that wants to fight for each other. They want to win things.
"We've come here on a difficult pitch and come away 4-0 victors because of our energy and our attitude.
"It's about provoking the players to provide the energy - I can shout all I want but if the players don't have the hunger to do that then they shouldn't be at Manchester United."
Remaining WSL fixtures: Arsenal (A) - April 2, West Ham (H) - April 23*, Reading (H) - April 30, Liverpool (A) - May 7, Man Utd (A) - May 21, Everton (H) - May 27
* Live on Sky Sports
Manchester City have gone from title outsiders to the WSL's form team, with Gareth Taylor's side winning their last five league matches.
City are also boosted by them being the only team currently playing on one front in this season run-in - meaning they have a clear run at the title without any cup or European distractions.
Behind City's success his season is Jamaican striker Khadija Shaw - who currently has 15 goals in 15 WSL matches this season.
But the 26-year-old is more than just scoring goals. The way she brings others into play is a key part of Taylor's philosophy this season.
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor speaking after his side's 2-0 win over Chelsea:
"The situation is the situation: it's still Chelsea's [to lose]. If they win their game in hand, they can go two points clear of each of the three teams. There is also goal difference to consider as well which is slightly superior to ours.
"The fact we play Arsenal next week, Manchester United after the break and the fact that Chelsea play Arsenal, there are still going to be twists and turns. Especially with those teams playing each other."
Remaining fixtures: Aston Villa (A) - April 2*, Leicester (H) - April 23, West Ham (A) - April 30, Liverpool (H) - May 3, Everton (H) - May 7, Arsenal (H) - May 21, Reading (A) - May 27
* Live on Sky Sports
So is Taylor right - is this Chelsea's league title to lose?
Well, the fixture list says so. As well as their crucial game in hand, Emma Hayes' Blues have already played the majority of their title rivals - with five out of their remaining seven games coming against sides who are not in the title picture.
Hotshot Sam Kerr - who has 22 goals already this season - will be licking her lips.
However, Chelsea still have the busiest schedule of the four teams challenging for the WSL title - due to the fact they are the only team in this list still competing across three fronts.
The Blues have the talent and depth to do this but even Hayes admits that her side are starting to tire. And they could still play 13 more games between now and the start of June.
There are also concerns over centre-back Millie Bright's fitness - after the England defender underwent a scan on a knee problem picked up earlier this month.
So will this hectic schedule across the Champions League, FA Cup and WSL take its toll on this Chelsea squad?
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes speaking after her side's 2-0 loss against Manchester City:
"Absolutely [we looked tired]. But I'm not going to say a negative word about my players. I love them. I know how hard they pushed in the second half. This was one game too many.
"It's so hard to win a league when you're in all competitions with a game every three days. Today's performance reflected that."
Remaining fixtures: Man City (H) - April 2, Man Utd (A) - April 22, Everton (A) - April 30, Leicester (H) - May 7, Brighton (A) - May 10*, Chelsea (A) - May 21, Aston Villa (H) - May 27
* Live on Sky Sports
Arsenal came so close to claiming the WSL title on the final day of last season - with the Gunners edged out on a topsy-turvy final day by Chelsea - and Jonas Eidevall's side are playing catch up once again.
The Gunners' title push this season - along with their League Cup final triumph over Chelsea - is particularly impressive given star forwards Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead have been out with long-term knee injuries for most of this season.
Take the likes of Russo, Shaw or Kerr away from the title rivals and their credentials would be severely damaged.
But Arsenal have a dilemma over whether to put the Champions League at the top of the priority list, or go for the title. This week's victory over Bayern Munich has shown, as Eidevall said, that the Gunners are capable of beating any team in the list.
And with Arsenal three wins from European triumph, which would define their season, are they better off keeping eggs in the continental basket?
Arsenal striker Caitlin Foord after her team's 5-1 win over Tottenham:
"We know we have a big stretch ahead. We know we need to win games, we want to fight for the top of the league and we've got the Champions League as well.
"I think we're just playing really well at the moment and we want to keep building on that."
Arsenal's Beattie, Everton's Christiansen and former Lioness Yankey dive deep into the hottest topics surrounding women's football right now, with plenty of surprises along the way.
Hosted by Caroline Barker, Three Players and a Podcast sees Jen Beattie (currently playing for Arsenal), Izzy Christiansen (currently playing for Everton) and Rachel Yankey (former WSL player and England international) bring three topics to the table each episode. Topical or historical, light-hearted or hard-hitting - we'll discuss the important issues and debates surrounding women's football.
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