Women's Super League title run-in: Will Chelsea or Manchester City come out on top?
Last updated on .From the section Women's Football
Chelsea have recovered their chances of winning the Women's Super League title.
After Manchester City's 2-1 defeat by Arsenal and Chelsea's 8-0 thrashing of Bristol City, the title race is poised to go down to the final day.
Chelsea entered Sunday six points adrift with a game in hand after losing to Liverpool in midweek but have now closed that gap to three points and have a goal difference one better than City's.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes told Sky Sports after beating Bristol City: "What are the chances of that? That at the beginning of the day that Arsenal would beat City late on and we would win 8-0, what are the odds of that?
"That shows you what you can do when you have belief."
Hayes' side have an extra game to play and will move top if they beat Tottenham on 15 May.
Chelsea are seeking a fifth successive league title in her final season in charge, while City are looking to win the WSL for the first time since 2016.
City boss Taylor has always said the WSL title would need to be won on the final day.
"I always said I thought it would go to the final game and it's never changed. We knew what we had to do," said Taylor.
"Chelsea opened the door the other night and we've opened it back again a little bit. It is what it is, but nothing has changed in our thought process."
How are things shaping up for the remaining games? Who has the tougher run-in? And who does Opta predict will win the title?
Current table
Women's Super League after 5 May | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Team | Played | Points | GD | Form (past 5 games) |
1. Man City | 21 | 52 | +45 | WWWWL |
2. Chelsea | 20 | 49 | +46 | WWWLW |
3. Arsenal | 21 | 47 | +28 | WWWDW |
City had been on a WSL record 14-match winning run before their dramatic defeat by Arsenal, who are too far back to contest the title.
If goal difference is level at the end of the season, the title outcome will be decided on goals scored - and Chelsea lead City 64-59 on that metric.
If teams are level on both goal difference and goals scored, the next deciding factor is the number of league wins, followed by head-to-head record against their title rivals. City would edge a head-to-head against Chelsea, having won away and drawn at home.
What are the remaining fixtures?
Chelsea | Manchester City | |
---|---|---|
15 May | Tottenham (A) | |
18 May | Man Utd (A) | Aston Villa (A) |
Taylor's side still have to play Aston Villa on the final day, while Chelsea face FA Cup finalists Tottenham and fifth-placed Manchester United.
What does the Opta 'supercomputer' suggest?
Predicted Women's Super League final table - Opta as of 7 May | ||
---|---|---|
Team | % chance of winning title | Current position & points |
1. Manchester City | 53.9 | 1st - 52 points |
2. Chelsea | 46.1 | 2nd - 49 points |
Opta's 'supercomputer' prediction model estimates the probability of each match outcome (win, draw or loss) by using betting market odds and the Opta team rankings - based on historical and recent team performances.
These are simulated thousands of times to create the probabilities.
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For me, Chelsea are the strongest team in the WSL
My money would be - on Chelsea tho.