There are few weekends in a Women’s Super League campaign that feel as pivotal as the one ahead. The course of this season’s title race could ultimately be decided as two titans go head-to-head.
At Kingsmeadow, under the bright lights, Chelsea and Manchester City will compete against each other. A win for Chelsea would give them a six-point advantage at the top and bring them closer to winning the trophy with eight games remaining. On the other hand, if Manchester City wins, they will be tied with the current champions in points, making for an exciting competition towards the end.
Both teams are currently in good form. Chelsea has not lost a game in any competition since their 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in December. They have been dominant at home, winning their last 22 league matches at Kingsmeadow and Stamford Bridge, which is a new record for the Women’s Super League. City has also been performing well, with an impressive undefeated streak since their surprising loss to Brighton in November. While Chelsea has a higher average of goals scored per game (3.15 compared to City’s 2.69), City has the strongest defense in the league, only conceding eight goals. This is partly due to their consistent starting lineup, with Alex Greenwood and Laia Aleixandri rarely absent from the backline, and Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, and Khadija Shaw consistently leading the front three.
On the other hand, Emma Hayes has had to make changes to her team due to injuries affecting multiple players this season. Chelsea is still missing key players Millie Bright, who has been sidelined since November, and Sam Kerr, who sustained an ACL injury at the beginning of the year.
The fight for control in the midfield will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the match. City possesses Yui Hasegawa, who is now widely recognized as one of the top No 6 players in the world. While initially signed as an attacking midfielder, she has flourished in a deeper position, showcasing her ability to win possession and make progressive passes to break through the opposition’s defense. However, she and City will face a tough challenge from Chelsea’s two deep-lying midfielders, likely Erin Cuthbert and Melanie Leupolz, who excel in winning back possession and connecting with their attacking teammates.
Expansive regions will also be vital. In the previous weekend, Arsenal demonstrated the importance of preventing Kelly and Hemp from connecting with Shaw in order to restrict City’s inventiveness. For Chelsea, the collaboration of Niamh Charles and Guro Reiten on the left has been a notable source of success, with the latter recording 26 goal contributions in her last 25 league appearances.
The two in charge: Hayes is on the hunt for a seventh WSL title to round off a trophy-laden 12-year tenure as manager of Chelsea. The 47-year-old has won it all domestically. She and her team are experienced in chasing down trophies and finding ways to win, earning themselves the label of “mentality monsters”.
Since Gareth Taylor became the manager in 2020, City has been on a unique path. Under his leadership, the team has actively constructed a strong group of players who have achieved success by winning both the FA Cup and League Cup. They are now considered top contenders in the league. However, with Taylor’s contract expiring at the end of the season, there is uncertainty surrounding his future. Nevertheless, if he can disrupt Chelsea’s dominance, it would be a significant accomplishment for his resume.
Shaw, the No. 9 for City, has been breaking records once again. She holds the top spot in the league with 13 goals and has recently scored three hat-tricks in four games. The Jamaican player possesses a natural talent for scoring goals, whether it’s with her head or her feet, and is often unstoppable. Her ability to dominate in the air and outrun defenders is enhanced by her smart movement, strong hold-up play, and close connection with her teammates. However, there is some concern about Shaw’s physical condition after being taken out of last weekend’s game due to a calf injury.
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All attention will be on Chelsea’s newest player, Mayra Ramírez, who joined the team in January with a lot of buzz. Standing at 5ft 10in, the Colombian brings both strength and speed to the team, as well as an abundance of skill. In her short time with the club, Ramírez has already shown that she has what it takes to lead the attack, scoring a beautiful backheel goal over the weekend. With the support of creative wingers and the undeniable talent of Lauren James, she has the potential for success, but it will take time for her to adjust and build chemistry with her teammates.
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Source: theguardian.com
