Fans of the Women’s Super League are licking their lips. Two cracking encounters involving all of the title-chasing sides within 24 hours. It’s the current top 2 who are first in action, as Chelsea hosts Man City at Kingsmeadow (Friday 19:15, live on BBC Two). We head to the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime with Arsenal entertaining Man Utd (12:30, live on Sky Sports Main Event).
Embed from Getty ImagesWomen’s Super League: Chelsea v Man City
US-bound Blues’ boss Emma Hayes is playing down Chelsea’s tag as overwhelming Women’s Super League favourites. However, a win against Man City on Friday will see them go 6 points clear at the top. Chelsea shifts their attention back to the WSL following back-to-back domestic cup victories. They’ve won 10 games on the bounce in all competitions and kept clean sheets in their last 5.
Manchester City has been buzzing lately, too. Gareth Taylor’s ladies are unbeaten since mid-November (a 1-0 league defeat vs Brighton). Leicester knocked them out of the League Cup in the same month, but only in a shootout.
Lauren Hemp and Co. warmed up for this vital clash by ousting Arsenal in the Women’s FA Cup last weekend. City may not have conceded in their previous four games, but will they be able to keep Chelsea at bay?
The last time the dark and light Blues clashed was an action-packed encounter. City were heading towards an unlikely 1-0 win at the Joie Stadium in October after being reduced to 9 women.
However, Guro Reiten came to Chelsea’s rescue with a 96th-minute equaliser. Will these two conjure up another fiery footballing fiesta this Friday?
Embed from Getty ImagesWomen’s Super League: Arsenal v Man Utd
A record-breaking Women’s Super League crowd is expected to watch this mouthwatering match-up between the sides currently in 3rd and 4th. Arsenal are hoping to beat their previous attendance record of 59,042. They set that back in December when romping to a stunning 4-1 victory over Chelsea. Over 60,000 saw the Gunners in Champions League action in May. So, the omens look good for hitting those levels again or bettering them.
Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Women’s League Cup midweek. It may have only been against the London City Lionesses, but a victory was needed after starting February with back-to-back losses. It’s been a below-par season for the Gunners to date. An early exit from the Champions League and out of the FA Cup. They cannot afford to slip further behind the pacesetters if they are to keep their title aspirations alive.
Arsenal’s home form in the Women’s Super League has been impressive. Aside from a season-opening defeat against Liverpool at the Emirates, they have a 100% record in front of their fans. Saturday’s game will be the fourth time they’ve played in Islington this season. Can they rise to the occasion with a vocal bumper crowd watching, as they did against Chelsea before Christmas?
Embed from Getty ImagesMan Utd must maintain their winning run to keep their faint title hopes alive. They start the match with a double-figure deficit on the table toppers. Recent league wins over Brighton and Aston Villa were much-needed following successive WSL losses against Chelsea and Liverpool. The Red Devils have proved themselves worthy adversaries in recent matches with Arsenal. They drew 2-2 in October and beat the Gunners 1-0 in April. Will an in-form Nikita Parris maintain her goalscoring streak following braces in consecutive league starts?
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