WSL title race: Chelsea within the field seat as battle goes to ultimate day of the season

Going into the ultimate recreation of the Women’s Super League season, it seems probably a really acquainted identify will likely be on the trophy – though a very new one stays a risk.

Victory at backside membership Reading would clinch the title for the Blues and seal a 3rd straight home double after they beat United within the Women’s FA Cup ultimate earlier this month.

However, any slip-up might let United in. Should Chelsea lose to a Reading aspect who want victory with a purpose to keep away from relegation, Marc Skinner’s aspect would snatch a primary WSL title with a hit of their very own at Liverpool.

United is also champions in the event that they win and Chelsea draw, though they would wish to beat Liverpool by six clear targets in such a state of affairs.

If they fail to win, Chelsea will end prime no matter their end result at Reading.

How it stands

Chelsea (1st, 55 factors)

So usually Terminator-like of their pursuit of the title, Chelsea have been pushed laborious this season in what was at one stage a four-way race.

When they misplaced at Manchester City in late March, solely three factors separated the highest 4. However, Hayes’ aspect inevitably hit their stride on the proper time.

Since shedding at City, Chelsea have gained their final six WSL video games, scoring 24 targets and conceding simply as soon as.

Hayes desires a quick begin with a purpose to assuage any doubts on Saturday and will not be worrying a lot about issues over at Prenton Park.

Asked whether or not she would keep watch over United’s encounter with Liverpool, Hayes mentioned: “I might ask at half-time, but I will focus on what we are in control of.

“I do not give it some thought, I take into consideration getting off to a very good begin. We need to deal with the correct issues.”

Manchester United (2nd, 53 factors)

Whatever happens this weekend, United have enjoyed their best-ever campaign in women’s football after only being formed in their current guise in 2018 as a second-tier membership.

They will finish in the WSL top three – and qualify for the Women’s Champions League – for the first time.

But Skinner wants his team to aim for their biggest prize.

He admitted this week United need an unlikely set of circumstances to win the title, but they must look to score early and push hard to maintain their end of the bargain.

“The actuality is we all know if Chelsea draw we want a large aim swing,” he said. “We will attempt after all.

“To think and believe you deserve that is the wrong mentality. Liverpool are wonderful at counter-attacking. We have to build success because they won’t give us anything.

“All we are able to attempt to do is to win the sport. If there’s completely different connotations we have to attempt to react to that.”

Who will win?

“You would suppose it is going to be Chelsea’s title,” former Blues defender Anita Asante told the Football Daily podcast.

“This finish of the season, Chelsea have actually come into their very own. They have not carried out at their finest all through the course of the season, however in the previous few video games they’ve actually proven the Chelsea aspect we’re used to seeing.

“Ruthless, relentless, going about their business in a very professional manner. I don’t see them, this close to lifting that trophy, letting go of that.

“On paper you’ll positively again Chelsea to get a end result towards Reading.”

Former England international Fern Whelan also thinks Chelsea’s remarkable record of winning WSL titles – this would be their seventh in nine seasons – is proof they will get the business done in Berkshire.

“They’re simply constantly successful,” she added. “They’re displaying they know do it they usually’ve achieved it earlier than.

“What’s giving them that edge over teams at the moment is they’ve done it before and they’ve got the players and the pedigree and the coaching staff just to be able to pull it through right at the last minute.”