Ella Toone and Vivianne Miedema return to Manchester derby and Chelsea Women must hit the ground running as WSL returns | Football news
Can Brighton keep up the pace?
Liverpool v Brighton – Friday 17 January, kick-off 7.30pm, live on Sky Sports
After some problems in the WSL, Brighton was the surprise of the season. They are the closest team to disrupting that top four, having spent time in the top three for the first half of the campaign.
But given the pedigree in their squad, perhaps that shouldn’t come as a shock. Brighton have made some shrewd signings in recent years, notably the summer acquisitions of Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris – serial winners in their own right.
Adding them to a squad that already included Vicky Losada, Pauline Bremer and Maria Thorisdottir, the Seagulls are finally showing the potential they had beneath the surface. Let’s not forget the influence of manager Dario Vidošić on their recent successes.
Brighton are a mirror image of last season’s Liverpool – who finished fourth, six points above Manchester United – as the teams appear to take turns trying to break that hold on top of the table.
The Reds will be disappointed to have just nine points on the board, although injuries have played their part. They have already made moves in the January window to try and alleviate those circumstances, signing Sam Kerr from Bayern and Julia Bartel on loan from Chelsea.
Both teams will want to hit the ground running in Friday’s game Sky Sports – Brighton to show they are not a mid-season miracle and Liverpool to get their campaign back on track.
Lots to build on for Everton and Aston Villa
Everton v Aston Villa – Saturday 18th January, kick-off 5.30pm
Only a goal difference separates Everton and Aston Villa in the middle of the WSL table. The pair have nine points each – with the same number of goals as Villa beat Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup at the weekend.
He continues his upswing in form under Shaun Goater, who is in charge of the interim team following the departure of Roberto de Pauw. Villa also beat West Ham 3-1 in the final match of the WSL 2024.
But Everton’s 2-1 win against a depleted Man City on December 15 caused astonishment. They absorbed the pressure and hit their opponents on the counter, devastatingly so.
Although their FA Cup tie has been postponed, the Toffees will be hoping to put in the same performance as they did against an Aston Villa side who are similarly looking for a boost in the table.
Returnees could be key in the Manchester derby
Man City v Man Utd – Sunday 19 January, kick-off 6.45pm, live on Sky Sports
This has not been the easiest season for any Manchester club in terms of injuries. Manchester City missed out on Vivianne Miedema, Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw and Alex Greenwood. And Manchester United was left without Ella Toona.
But the good news is that Miedema and Toone are already back in action. Both scored in FA Cup action at the weekend, with the Man Utd midfielder scoring a superb goal.
Both players can change the game whether they start or not, and could be instrumental in turning the game in their sides’ favor in what could be a tight contest.
They are currently separated by one point in the table. Man Utd are currently outside the top three on goal difference but could leapfrog their city rivals with a win this weekend. Man City will also want to keep pace with Chelsea at the top as they hope to challenge for the title in 2025.
Why Chelsea must start running
West Ham v Chelsea – Sunday 19th January, kick-off 3pm
Despite being the undisputed leaders of the WSL, Chelsea’s latest title charge has gone wrong. They drew 1-1 with Leicester in their last league outing and had a hard time doing so. This also ended their record of 100 percent wins.
They won two games against Real Madrid in the Champions League and Charlton in the FA Cup at the weekend – as well as a winter training camp in Portugal – but Leicester’s result may just be bothering some minds.
Taking on West Ham, they will want to put that right as they refocus their attention on league matters. While Chelsea are six points adrift of second-placed Man City, it would only take a couple of results to make things tricky.
But Chelsea is nothing but a ruthless winner. A draw against Leicester kept them unbeaten and provided the Blues with a timely reminder of how tight the WSL can be. He won’t want any more this weekend.
Slegers starts a new Arsenal era
Arsenal v Crystal Palace – Sunday 19th January, 2pm kick-off
She was a real guardian for Renee Slegers and so successful that Arsenal have now appointed her as Jonas Eidevall’s permanent successor.
The Gunners’ new head coach has led her side to an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions, taking them into the top three on goal difference.
Results are one thing, performance is another. Under Slegers, the Gunners found both. The fluidity is back, the goals are flowing and the football is entertaining – everything Arsenal are known for.
Arsenal will return to Meadow Park on Sunday to face the league’s bottom side at Crystal Palace and will be hoping to pick up where they left off.
Can Tottenham maintain their unbeaten run?
Tottenham v Leicester – Sunday 19th January, 12.30pm kick-off
Before the winter break, Tottenham were on a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions, including two in the WSL. Those six points make up more than 50 percent of the total number of points for the season so far.
However, that streak ended a month ago – and they face Leicester, who held Chelsea to a draw before the winter break.
They looked shrewd in defense and frustrated the usually free-flowing Blues, and they will have more time on the training pitch to improve. Another draw – or even better, a win – would be vital in their fight for survival in the WSL.
We also got to see the debut of goalkeeper Liza Kop, who signed for Spurs from Lisic this week. She has been handed the No.1 shirt and will be competing against Becky Spencer, who has conceded 23 goals in 10 WSL games this season – only Crystal Palace have shipped more.
