When the fixture list for the WSL was first announced many looked at this weekend and thought that it could well be the one that decides the fate of the title.

That looks like it’s going to be the case with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal all still in the hunt for the title with the two London clubs facing each other as United take on their city rivals.

In fact, we could even have our champions crowned by Sunday evening..

Saturday

Tottenham Hotspur v Reading

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Spurs have had a terrible season and aren’t yet mathematically safe from relegation although it is extremely unlikely. Still, they can sweep any fears away if they manage to defeat bottom-of-the-league Reading.

For the Royals, this is essentially one of two cup finals but considering they’re facing Chelsea on the final day of the season, you would imagine this is their only realistic shot of getting three points.

It could all end in disaster though. Should Reading lose to Spurs and Leicester win at home to West Ham United then it would seal the Royals’ place in the Championship next season.

Sunday

Chelsea v Arsenal

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It’s been quite the week for Emma Hayes’ team but they now face an Arsenal team who could potentially cost them the title. Although a win here would virtually guarantee that Chelsea win the league as it would be hard to expect Reading to cause them any problems on the final day of the season.

The Gunners are still within a chance of winning the WSL, although being five points behind the Blues with two games ahead they need a few results to go their way starting with defeating Chelsea on Sunday.

The two sides have already met three times in 2023. The first, a 1-1 draw in the league as Arsenal hosted Chelsea and then in the FA Cup the Blues put two past the North London outfit on home soil. Back in March the two played out the Conti Cup final in which it was Arsenal’s day as they lifted the trophy following a 3-1 win at Selhurst Park.

This really is massive.

Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion

The Toffees were humbled by Arsenal midweek to show they’re still a distance away from competing with the quality of the top clubs. Everton were 4-0 down by the time Agnes Beever-Jones was sent off, although Brian Sorensen’s side did eventually pull one back through Katja Snoeijs.

Everton will be facing a Brighton side who can sympathise with the Seagulls losing 4-0 to Arsenal in their last match. Bouncing back with a win against Everton could see them leapfrog West Ham United into eighth position this weekend with the South-coast team much improved under Melissa Phillips.

Aston Villa v Liverpool

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It might be worth watching this one to see how many goals Rachel Daly is able to score. In her last three games the England international has scored seven times including a hat-trick in Villa’s win away to Reading earlier in the month. Daly’s now up to 20 league goals for the season and 28 goals in 28 games for her club in all competitions – remarkable.

Liverpool meanwhile are coming off a big win over Manchester City in their last league game with Matt Beard’s team effectively ending City’s title challenge that day. The Reds are set for a midtable finish in their return to the WSL this year.

Leicester City v West Ham United

The Foxes are getting closer to ensuring their survival this season but they still could do with another win to help them get safely over the line. It would be a fine way to bounce back from the 6-0 mauling they received at the hands of Chelsea last time out. The Foxes will then face Brighton on the final day of the season.

The Hammers meanwhile are searching for their first win since January – a run that includes 10 games without victories in all competitions. Even a draw would be a better result considering they’ve lost six of their last seven games including a 4-0 defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday evening.

Manchester United v Manchester City

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Meanwhile, Manchester City could play the role of title deciders. Should the Citizens defeat United following a Chelsea victory then that would be that in the title race and celebrations can begin in the blue side of London.

Of course, there are plenty of ifs and buts around this game and that should add to what is already a fascinating encounter. When the two teams faced each other in the reverse fixture early in the season Leah Galton opened the scoring for the red half of Manchester before Laura Coombs grabbed a second-half equaliser.

It’s fascinating to see which way it will go this time out.

The holders have jumped back up to the top spot! 👀

Can @ChelseaFCW clinch the #BarclaysWSL title? pic.twitter.com/NExWzxnS6R

— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 17, 2023