WSL preview & predictions: Gameweek 21

The Women's Super League season is winding down. We've got a good idea of what the table will look like, but there's still a whole lot left to play for.

Most of the fun is to be had at the bottom of the table, where the bottom five teams are separated by as many points. With two games left to go, those sides in danger cannot afford to slip up.

Let's dive into the fun of matchday 21.


Sunday 2 May

Aston Villa vs West Ham

Both sides are battling relegatiion | Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 12:30 (BST)

Where is it being played? Villa Park

TV channel? FA Player

Kicking things off is a real relegation six-pointer. Villa sit 11th on 13 points, one behind West Ham in tenth, so it's safe to say this game is about as big as they come for both sides.

To make the occasion even bigger, this fixture has been moved to Villa Park, the home of Dean Smith's first team, but it's an enormous shame that thousands of fans can't pile in to cheer their sides on.

Villa come into the game on the back of three straight draws (one of which was the reverse of this one) while West Ham have two draws and a loss, so both will be absolutely desperate to pick up three points which could well define their entire season.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham


Everton vs Arsenal

What time is kick off? 13:00 (BST)

Where is it being played? Walton Hall Park

TV channel? FA Player

Thanks to their midweek victory over West Ham, third place looks like Arsenal's to lose.

Joe Montemurro's side have a three-point cushion ahead of Manchester United and they will hope to keep it that way at least. Three points against Everton would be big, but a clean sheet here would also see Arsenal set a new WSL record. There's a lot on the line.

Everton's season is all but over. They've wrapped up fifth place and cannot move up or down, but they'll still be pushing to give a good account of themselves against an Arsenal side led by the mighty Vivianne Miedema.

Prediction: Everton 0-3 Arsenal


Reading vs Brighton

What time is kick off? 14:00 (BST)

Where is it being played? Madjeski Stadium

TV channel? FA Player

In their final home game of the season, Reading will hope to add their first victory since their monumental triumph over United back in February when Brighton come to town.

This one is a battle for sixth. The spot is currently held by Brighton, who have a three-point lead over Reading, but the hosts have a significantly better goal difference and would move into an imposing position with a win.

On top of that excitement, there will be a sombre mood at the Madjeski as this will be the final home game for the legendary Fara Williams, who recently decided to hang her boots up at the end of the campaign.

Prediction: Reading 2-1 Brighton


Bristol City vs Manchester United

What time is kick off? 14:00 (BST)

Where is it being played? Twerton Park Stadium

TV channel? FA Player

Bristol City come into this weekend rock bottom of the league, and they may well end it there as they must come face-to-face with high-flying United.

United will be hunting for blood as they will likely need two wins from their final two games to even have a chance of sealing a spot in the Champions League. They're three points behind Arsenal, so dropping points here would effectively end their hopes.

Bristol need the points more, but they'll have to do something incredible to get them.

Prediction: Bristol City 0-4 Manchester United


Manchester City vs Birmingham

What time is kick off? 15:00 (BST)

Where is it being played? Academy Stadium

TV channel? FA Player/BBC Red Button/BBC iPlayer

Having failed to beat Chelsea, City know they are facing an uphill battle to win the WSL title. To keep their slim hopes alive, they simply must take all three points against Birmingham.

Fortunately for City, that shouldn't be too tough. Birmingham are ninth in the table, without a win in their last six games and facing the real possibility of dropping even deeper into a relegation battle if results elsewhere go against them.

City thumped Birmingham 4-0 when these two sides met in February, and it'll take something special from the visitors to avoid a similar fate this time around.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Birmingham


Wednesday 5 May

Tottenham vs Chelsea

What time is kick off? 17:30 (BST)

Where is it being played? The Hive Stadium

TV channel? BT Sport 1

Finishing the round off will be Tottenham and Chelsea, whose derby has been pushed back a few days to accommodate the second leg of the Blues' Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.

Emma Hayes' side already have one hand on the trophy and are dreaming of the quadruple, although much will rest on whether they can mount a comeback against Bayern at the weekend. Even if their European hopes die, they will expect their domestic dream to continue with a win here.

Spurs are not technically safe from relegation just yet, but they might be by the time they kick off. If Bristol City lose to United, Spurs' spot in the WSL is safe for another year.

Prediction: Tottenham 0-4 Chelsea


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Source : 90min