Over in the WSL1 it’s a clear two horse race, but Manchester City are seven points ahead of last year’s champions Chelsea and only need one point from this weekend’s fixture to claim the league title.
In what could be the biggest game of the season Chelsea travel to Academy Stadium on Sunday in a crunch tie against the team threatening their title, anything less than a win for the visitors will see Manchester City lift the WSL trophy.
Between the two teams 13 players recently featured for England in the final Euro 2017 qualification games, six for Chelsea and seven for City, in addition to a number of other players who were called up from the teams for international duty.
Chelsea have scored 13 goals in four games while Man City have reamined undefeated since April, the last side to defeat them was in fact their opposition for this weekend. Arsenal are also hot on the heels of Chelsea in search of a Champions League spot, so three points are crucial.
Manchester City celebrate their goal against Arsenal (All images: FA via Getty)
However, in the WSL2 there are only three points that separate four teams and the promotion chasers will all face another team pushing for first and second place. The results from these two fixtures could induce a reshuffle in the league table…
On Saturday fourth place Durham Women FC will make the long trip to Stoke Gifford Stadium, in attempt to keep their promotion hopes alive with all three points.
Bristol are sat in second place, only pipped to the top by Yeovil Town due to their healthy goal difference. Last time the two sides faced each other it ended in a goaless draw but Durham centre-back Sarah Wilson insits that results makes this fixture intriguing “Last time we played they completley pinned us back in the first half, but then we came into our own in the second so it could go either way this weekend, that’s what makes it so exciting”.
Three points away from home for the Wildcats would change the look of the league as they would match Bristol and Yeovil’s three points. Any points would catapult Bristol to the top of WSL2 and put the pressure on the leaders who will play less than 24 hours later.
Goal celebrations for Durham at New Ferens Park (Image: FA via Getty)
League leaders Yeovil Town have only managed one point from two games recently and the pressure will be on as they face third place Everton who are hot on their heels – a win away from home could place them in a promotion spot. The Toffees have remained undefeated in six games, including a 3-0 victory over their opposition for this weekend, Everton boss Andy Spence says that “football is about momentum, and the momentum is with us”.
Helen Bleazard of Yeovil in action against London Bees (Image: FA via Getty)
Here are the full set of fixtures for the FA WSL leagues this weekend:
Saturday 24 September
FA WSL 1
Doncaster Rovers Belles v Reading FC Women (Keepmoat Stadium, 18:30)
FA WSL 2
Bristol City Women v Durham Women FC (Stoke Gifford Stadium, 16:30)
Sunday 25 September (2pm KO)
FA WSL 1
Birmingham City Ladies v Liverpool Ladies FC (Solihull Moors FC)
Manchester City Women v Chelsea Ladies FC (Academy Stadium)
Notts County Ladies v Sunderland AFC Ladies (Meadow Lane Stad., 17:00)
FA WSL 2 (2pm KO)
Millwall Lionesses v Watford Ladies FC (Millwall Football Club)
Oxford United Women v Aston Villa Ladies FC (Abingdon United FC)
Sheffield FC Ladies v London Bees (Sheffield FC)
Yeovil Town Ladies FC v Everton Ladies FC (Huish Park)
