The WSL’s top two do battle on Friday night as league leaders and reigning champions Chelsea welcome title challengers Manchester City to Kingsmeadow.
The Blues hold a three-point advantage over Friday’s opponents, with both sides heading into this fixture in tremendous form. Buoyed by the goalscoring form of Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, City have won their previous ten games in all competitions. Last weekend, they overcame Arsenal away from home to progress into the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup.
Given Chelsea’s similarly imperious run, you feel as if City are going to need to win on the road again on Friday if they’re to pip Emma Hayes’ side to the title and seal their first since 2016.
The Blues have also won their last ten and are competing on multiple fronts heading into crunch time. Hayes’ outfit have advanced deep in domestic cup competitions and will also compete in the Women’s Champions League knockout stages after cruising through their group.
It’s set to be an enthralling WSL encounter on Friday night, and here’s 90min’s preview of the fixture.
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
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United Kingdom |
BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Web, FA Player (audio only) |
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United States |
Paramount+ |
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Canada |
Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet Now Plus, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet East |
Millie Bright missed out on England selection this week due to her ongoing injury absence but is getting nearer to a return – Sarina Wiegman is hoping to pick her come April’s internationals.
Lauren James will be expected to return to the starting lineup after being rested for last weekend’s FA Cup win over second tier Crystal Palace. Sam Kerr won’t play again this season.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Man City (4-3-3): Hampton; Carter, Perisset, Charles, Bjorn; Cuthbert, Leopolz, James; Reiten, Kirby, Ramirez.
Bunny Shaw is available despite the calf strain she suffered against Arsenal last time out.
“She is fine, it’s something she’s managing but she’s raring to go,” Taylor expressed. “She’s always carrying knocks because of how she plays, she’s physical and takes the knocks. She’ll never be 100% but it’s very rare players are with the heavy load we have.”
Out for the season, Jill Roord is a major miss in a game of this magnitude.
Man City predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Keating; Casparij, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Ouahabi; Coombs, Hasegawa; Kelly, Park, Hemp; Shaw.
It’s rarely a dull affair when these two square off, and drama is surely in store on Friday night in what is undoubtedly the biggest game of the WSL season.
There’s nothing to separate the sides form-wise, and their similar styles should make for an intriguing duel. The battle for possession will be key, as will the midfield duel between Erin Cuthbert and Yui Hasegawa.
The visitors boast the league’s top scorer in Shaw, but Chelsea possess a game-breaker in Lauren James. Friday’s contest is bound to be decided by a moment or two, but which side’s superstars will lead their team to victory? City need the three points more than Chelsea, although that could play into the Blues’ favour.
Let’s call it a draw, eh?
