We’re back with another WSL preview as we get closer and closer to the end of the season with some big fixtures on the horizon.

Let’s get straight into this weekend’s games.

Friday

Aston Villa v Manchester United

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To stoke the fire before the game, Villa boss Carla Ward told how much she would like to keep Manchester United loanee Kirsty Hansen at the club on a permanent basis with the Scottish forward impressing in the West Midlands this season.

Marc Skinner’s team are coming off a huge win last time out when they defeated title rivals Arsenal and have just four games left to play. While Chelsea are still favourites, United need to ensure they win every remaining fixture to at least ensure Champions League football next season.

Saturday

Leicester City v Liverpool

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Liverpool did Leicester a bit of a favour last weekend when they defeated relegation rivals Brighton 2-1 thanks to a brace from Ceri Holland.

Despite losing at home, Liverpool were victors between the two when they faced off in the Conti Cup back in October with the Reds enjoying a 4-0 victory that evening.

Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton & Hove Albion

Spurs have scored just 23 goals in the WSL this season and 35% of those all came in one match – the 8-0 hammering of Brighton back in October. That number was 40% before last weekend when Tottenham managed a 3-3 draw at home to Aston Villa.

For Brighton, there will be hope of revenge for that eight-goal thrashing although the game is likely to be very different this time around with both teams having changed managers since. Melissa Phillips hasn’t been in charge of the Seagulls for long but the team already looked revitalised under her.

Sunday

Everton v Arsenal

@Arsenal

Meanwhile, Arsenal come off a good performance away to Wolfsburg where Jonas Eidevall’s side came from 2-0 down to earn a first-leg draw in the Champions League at the weekend. One brief aeroplane scare later, and they’re hoping to get back on track in the WSL are the damaging defeat to Manchester United.

Manchester City v Reading

City put six past West Ham United last time out in a big win following defeat to Arsenal in the previous game. Gareth Taylor’s team are currently second in the league although are vulnerable to Arsenal and Chelsea leapfrogging them with their games in hand.

Reading have still won just one league game in the WSL in 2023 and are in real danger of relegation. It’s hard to imagine that changing against City with the Royals having already suffered a 3-0 defeat to them in the reverse fixture. In fact, Reading have only ever won once in 14 attempts.

West Ham United v Chelsea

As we mentioned, West Ham suffered a 6-2 defeat away to Manchester City last time out and now must contend with a team that beat them 7-0 back in the Conti Cup back in February (a game in which Sam Kerr scored four). While the Hammers aren’t under immediate threat of dropping down a division, they are on a poor run and haven’t won a single league game since victory away to Liverpool in January.

Chelsea will be heavy favourites but they’ll be returning from a gruelling trip to Catalonia. The Blues are looking to overturn a 1-0 defeat from the first leg away to Barcelona. It’s going to require every player to give it their all.

This weekend in the #BarclaysWSL!

Big points on offer 👀 pic.twitter.com/USrUE5zw09

— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 26, 2023