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The spotlight shifts to the Women’s Super League this Friday as Chelsea and Arsenal face off at Stamford Bridge, potentially shaping the outcome of the title race. Just like the Premier League, there are three teams in contention for first place, with Chelsea currently leading alongside Manchester City while Arsenal trails by three points.
In a division with 12 teams, the champions have never been defeated in more than two games. Chelsea and City have met this benchmark, but the Gunners have experienced three losses. The eventual winner of the trophy may need to maintain a perfect record in the last seven games.
In December, Arsenal set a precedent by defeating Chelsea 4-1 at the Emirates. A loss on Friday would have significant consequences, as it would create a six-point difference to first place, effectively eliminating them from the competition. If Chelsea were to lose, City would gain a significant advantage. The pressure is on for Arsenal to perform.
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Last week, Stina Blackstenius achieved a hat-trick against Aston Villa in the Continental Cup. It is always challenging to compete against someone who has such speed and can quickly move past defenders. In order to secure the points, Chelsea will have to excel in their defensive efforts. Arsenal have arguably the best squad in the league and the opportunity to chase down the other two. Their home victory over Chelsea was the performance of the season and they need to replicate that. The Gunners have great variety in attack, making them able to adapt to circumstances. Whether they need runners in behind or more crosses into the box, they have a squad of problem-solvers.
The team Arsenal has the lowest number of goals among the top three, 12 less than Chelsea. Their leading scorer, Alessia Russo, has only scored six goals. However, having a prolific striker is not necessary for success for all teams. But, it is important for every player on Arsenal to contribute. Beth Mead has returned from injury, Caitlin Foord is on the other side, and Blackstenius is another strong option for their attack.
The city’s team was eliminated from two domestic cup competitions in just one week, leading them to shift their focus to the league. However, Chelsea is facing similar challenges as Liverpool in terms of juggling multiple competitions and dealing with injuries. They have the Continental Cup final, FA Cup semi-finals, and are also still in the Champions League, with a quarter-final match against Ajax. This will put extra pressure on their team. 
Reworded: Forwards Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel are currently sidelined due to anterior cruciate ligament injuries, while Mayra Ramírez had to leave the Continental Cup victory against City. This leaves manager Hayes with fewer options and makes it increasingly challenging to solve her selection dilemmas. Maintaining consistency in the attack is crucial, but the constant need for changes could pose a concern for Chelsea.
Chelsea’s manager, similar to Liverpool, will depart at the end of the season despite a successful tenure. Many team members were personally recruited by Hayes, who played a significant role in my own recruitment to the club. It’s likely that others have also been drawn to the club by her influence. While some players may be motivated to win for her, others may be anxious about the uncertainty of who will take over and how that may impact them. Hayes has maintained high standards at Chelsea for 10 years, and everyone will strive to send her off on a positive note. However, they will also want to accomplish this for their own pride and success. Ignore the advertisement for the newsletter. after newsletter promotion
The city team is not worried about spoiling the fairytale ending. They have allowed nine goals in 15 games and possess the league’s leading goal scorer, Khadija Shaw, who has three more goals than the closest competition, Chelsea’s Lauren James. The emergence of 19-year-old Khiara Keating has been crucial to their strong defense, as she embodies the modern goalkeeper – skilled with her feet and an exceptional shot blocker. She has made several game-winning saves.
City have emerged victorious in their last five league matches and I have faith that they will continue their winning streak in their final seven, even with the home game against Arsenal in the second-to-last weekend. The only obstacle that could hinder City’s success is if one of their key forward players becomes unavailable. Shaw, Lauren Hemp, and Chloe Kelly have been performing exceptionally well, so any disruption to this trio could potentially have a negative impact.
While other clubs have had to rotate their forwards often, City’s have remained consistent. They work well together, with the success of a center-forward being dependent on the service they receive. Hemp and Kelly excel at beating full-backs and delivering crosses, providing that vital support.
Given the limited margin for error, the remaining matches for the top three teams are like a high-stakes race. Any mistake could spell the end of their chances of winning the championship in May, so it is crucial for each team to have their top players stay composed. Ultimately, it will come down to which team can keep their cool and uphold their high standards. Source: theguardian.com |
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