As the final game of the Women’s Super League season approaches, it looks like a very familiar name will feature on the trophy – although a brand new one remains a possibility.
Aiming for a fourth consecutive WSL crown, Chelsea are in control as they lead second-placed Manchester United by two points.
Victory at last club Reading would see the Blues claim the title and seal a third straight domestic double after beating United in the Women’s FA Cup final earlier this month.
However, any mistake could let United in. Should Chelsea lose to a Reading side who need victory to avoid relegation, Marc Skinner’s side would snatch a maiden WSL title with success at Liverpool.
United could also be champions if they win and Chelsea draw, although they would have to beat Liverpool by six net goals in such a scenario.
If they don’t win, Chelsea will finish first regardless of their result at Reading.
How’s it going
Chelsea (1st, 55 points)
So often Terminator-style in their quest for the title, Chelsea have been pushed hard this season in what was at one time a four-way race.
When they lost to Manchester City at the end of March, only three points separated the top four. However, Hayes’ side inevitably hit their stride at the right time.
Since losing to City, Chelsea have won their last six WSL games, scoring 24 goals and conceding just once.
Hayes wants a quick start to allay doubts on Saturday and won’t worry much about things at Prenton Park.
Asked if she would keep an eye on United’s encounter with Liverpool, Hayes said: “I could ask at half-time, but I’ll focus on what we’re in control of.
“I don’t think about it, I think about getting a good start. We have to take care of the good things.”
Manchester United (2nd, 53 points)
Whatever happens this weekend, United have had their best campaign in women’s football after being formed in its current form in 2018 as a second tier club.
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 that United needed an unlikely set of circumstances to win the title, but they must look to score early and do their utmost to keep their end of the bargain.
“The reality is that we know if Chelsea draw we need a massive goalscoring swing,” he said. “We will of course try.
“Thinking and believing you deserve it is the wrong mentality. Liverpool are great on the counter-attack. We have to build success because they won’t give us anything.
“All we can try to do is win the game. If there are different connotations, we have to try to react to that.”
Who will win?
“You would think it would be Chelsea’s title,” former Blues defender Anita Asante told the Football Daily podcast.
“This end to the season, Chelsea have really come into their own. They haven’t been at their best all season, but in the last few games they’ve really shown the Chelsea team that we have. used to seeing…
“Ruthless, relentless, handling their business in a very professional manner. I don’t see them, so close to lifting that trophy, to letting go.
“On paper you would definitely support Chelsea to get a result against Reading.”
Former England international Fern Whelan also believes Chelsea’s remarkable record of WSL titles – it would be their seventh in nine seasons – is proof they will do well in Berkshire.
“They are continuously winning,” she added. “They show they know how to do it and they’ve done it before.
“What gives them that advantage over teams right now is that they’ve done it before and they have the players and the pedigree and the coaching staff just to be able to get by at the last minute.”
