By 90min | Created at 2024-12-24 12:25:44 | Updated at 2024-12-26 00:29:21
1 day ago
The Women's Super League (WSL) has officially dispersed for the winter break after 10 action-packed mathdays so far.
After running rampant from minute one, Chelsea have extended the gap at the top of the table to six points. An injury-ridden Manchester City side trail the Blues by six points, following a shocking 2-1 loss to Everton on matchday 10.
Arsenal have made waves over recent weeks, having made up the ground on their disappointing start to the 2024/25 season. The Gunners have gone 11 games unbeaten under the interim mangement of Renee Slegers, and currently trail Man City by a single point.
Manchester United remain in the mix at the top of the table, sitting just below the Gunners on goal difference.
Here's 90min's prediction of who is going to win the WSL this season.
Chelsea remain unbeaten / Gaspafotos/MB Media/GettyImages
Matchday 10 had all of the twists and turns, as Chelsea finally had their winning streak broken by a headstrong Leicester City side at King Power Stadium. An early opener from Missy Goodwin put the Foxes on track for all three points, before Wieke Kaptein managed to draw proceedings back level.
As for second-place City, Gareth Taylor's side were outplayed by Everton at Walton Hall Park. Missing some of their biggest stars, Man City had no answers to what was asked of them and blundered the opportunity to close the gap on Chelsea.
Arsenal grabbed at their opportunity to make up for lost time, as a 1-0 victory over Liverpool was enough to get the three points in Merseyside. Whether or not the Gunners have left the title race a little too late is the question, but they are certaintly in the running to leapfrog City in the standings.
Manchester United are also in the running for Champions League qualification, but have shown that their vulnerabilities may discount them out of the title race completely.
Chelsea's fast start puts them in the drivers seat for the season's second half, and with the squad quality they posess, it should be a smooth ride. Sonia Bompastor will welcome back Lauren James, Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel in the new year, something oppositions will be very frightened by.
With both Arsenal and Man City also in the Champions League, the Blues won't have to worry about having to play more games than their WSL counterparts.
As for the race for second, we predict that Arsenal may pinch that second place spot if they are to maintain their current form. Taylor has shown his vulnerability when faced with adversity time and time again, and it seems as if this injury spell may arrive at the same outcome.
City will need to regain their composure if they are to continue to place the heat on Chelsea at the top. Head coach Taylor confirmed that City are 'hoping to do some business' in the January transfer window in order to aid the holes made by the current injuries to Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp, Vivianne Miedema and Khadija Shaw.
If Arsenal are to strike a deal with Renee Slegers until the end of the season, the north-London side may have strong the enough momentum to continue to compete at a high level. January interest in Keira Walsh may also help to bolster this Arsenal squad if they are able to strike a deal with the English midfielder.
