Chelsea six points clear in WSL - what's their title run-in?

The WSL season ends on 10 May

With just four games of the Women's Super League season remaining, Chelsea are in the driving seat for a sixth successive title.

The Blues, looking to win their first league title under Sonia Bompastor, find themselves six points clear at the top.

However, their 2-2 draw with West Ham means Arsenal and Manchester United have reduced the deficit by two points, having started the weekend eight points behind.

At the other end of the table, Aston Villa's late win against Liverpool has given them the advantage in their fight with Crystal Palace for safety.

Meanwhile, Manchester City face an uphill battle to claim the final Champions League spot.

How are things shaping up for the remaining games? Who has the tougher run-in? What do the pundits and managers think?

How do things stand at the top?

There have been no signs of teething problems for Chelsea this season under new boss Bompastor, and the Blues' dominance of the league - established under predecessor Emma Hayes - has continued.

Unbeaten in the WSL this season, Chelsea have won 48 points from a possible 54 and they are six clear of closest challengers Arsenal and Manchester United.

With a maximum 12 points available from the remaining four games, the highest Arsenal and United could finish with is 54 points, meaning the Blues need seven more to guarantee the title.

Chelsea's game against Manchester United on 27 April will be rearranged due to the Blues' Champions League semi-final participation, which means their exact run-in is not yet confirmed, so predicting exactly when they could lift the title is not possible.

Yet if Arsenal win all of their fixtures, the earliest Chelsea could clinch the title is in their penultimate game of the season.

What about the race for Champions League?

The Women's Champions League format is changing from 2025-26, with the number of teams earning direct qualification expanding from four teams to nine.

The winners of the WSL will directly qualify, along with the champions from the other five top-ranked national associations.

The runners-up of the two top-ranked associations will also be guaranteed direct qualification, along with the previous season's winners.

The WSL is currently ranked second, so as it stands the top two teams will automatically enter the 18-team league format, with the team in third going into the qualifying rounds.

Manchester City, who challenged Chelsea until the final day last season, are now mathematically out of the title race, while their chances of European football next season are hanging by a thread.

They sit seven points behind rivals United in third. Six points from the remaining four games would be enough for United to pip their city rivals to European qualification.

Who is at risk of relegation?

After winning the Championship last season, Crystal Palace have struggled to adapt during their first season in England's top division.

The club looked destined to go straight back down before a 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Villa earlier this month gave Leif Smerud's side a fighting chance.

However, a late own goal saw Villa win 2-1 against Liverpool and extend their buffer over Palace to four points.

Leicester will hope their seven-point cushion is enough to see them through. They have games against Manchester City and Arsenal in their final four but it would require a big turnaround from Palace to send the Foxes down.

What are the remaining fixtures?

Marc Skinner's Manchester United face three of the top four teams as they look to pile pressure on Chelsea and keep their Champions League place.

The Manchester derby on the penultimate day of the season could prove key in the race for Europe.

The fixture list has given City interim boss Nick Cushing cause for optimism.

"Once that's mathematically impossible then it is what it is, but until then we're going to fight right until the end," he said.

"We know we have to play Manchester United, we know Manchester United have to finish with Chelsea, us and Arsenal."

It's a tough run-in for bottom-placed Crystal Palace, who have to play Chelsea and Manchester City before the season is over.

Villa, meanwhile, only face one top-four side in their four remaining games, while they will have the added bonus of a home crowd for their last game at Villa Park.

Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Jen Beattie said she is "more worried" for Palace than Villa.

"Based on who they're about to play, they're about to play the top teams higher up, whereas Aston Villa, I think they can get more out of their results," Beattie said.

However, Palace manager Leif Smerud is confident his side can turn things around, despite a difficult fixture list.

"This is not a defeated group. This is not a team that's given up," he said.

"I think football is the biggest sport in the world because the underdog always has a chance."

What does the Opta 'supercomputer' suggest?

Opta's 'supercomputer' prediction model has Chelsea as nailed-on favourites to lift the WSL trophy, with the Blues projected as champions in 98.11% of simulations.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have been given a slither of hope, with Opta giving them a 1.83% chance of winning the title.

Manchester City's bid for European football does not look favourable either, with Cushing's side predicted to finish outside of the top three in 76.41% of simulations.

According to Opta's predictions, Amandine Miquel's Leicester have all but confirmed their stay in the WSL for another season, with only a 0.28% chance of relegation.

The stats also favour Villa, with them having a 96.07% chance of staying up.

It's a worrying tale for Crystal Palace. They have a 95.97% chance of sitting bottom of the table on 10 May.