WSL legend and two-time former champion Fara Williams has backed Chelsea to come out on top in this season’s tantalising four-way title race, ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United.
That would be a fourth successive WSL triumph for a dominant Chelsea side that has mastered the art of winning in recent years. Only the top three will qualify for next season’s Champions League, with Williams suggesting that Manchester City will be the team that misses out.
As is stands, Manchester United lead the table a point ahead of Chelsea but have played a game more than the Blues. Arsenal are third, three points back from United and also with a game in hand, with City fourth, three points off the top and no games in hand.
Williams, who earned a reputation for accurate predictions during England’s Euro 2022 triumph last summer, has also stayed loyal to the order of the top four prediction she previously gave to 90min only a month into the season in October.
Aside from an extra game and therefore having their destiny in their own hands, Chelsea also have the added advantage of the most favourable fixtures in Williams’ eyes.
“They have a more winnable run of fixtures than the other three teams, so I think that plays in their favour,” she told the latest episode of 90min Talks.
In amongst their WSL run-in, Emma Hayes’ side also have to contend with a two-legged Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.
“Obviously the Barcelona fixtures are going to be tough for them and that could swing momentum – if they get heavily beaten, how would that affect them mentally coming back into the league? But I think Emma breeds her teams differently to any other,” Williams explained.
“We’ve seen that growth and development, and mentality within that Chelsea squad.”
One of the biggest remaining fixtures in the WSL this season is the hugely significant clash between Manchester United and Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday night. Yet while the Gunners have experience that United may not, being without several important players like Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and now Kim Little as well, could hamstring them.
“The United one will be a test, and Chelsea and Everton away are difficult – all the way up to Liverpool [from London], it’s so far…and Everton have a point to prove with how much they have invested,” was Williams’ take on Arsenal’s more challenging games to come.
“The conditions [at Walton Hall Park] are really windy. It’s probably not…
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