How Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal & Man City's fixtures compare ahead of WSL title run-in

The race for a place in the WSL top three, meaning Champions League qualification, and for the title itself is heating up as the 2022/23 season draws to a close.

With few games left, four teams are battling it out...and four into three, let alone one, doens't go.

The competition is fierce and the margin for error is miniscule, with just three points separating all four of the league's big clubs - Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.

With all four clubs in with a genuine title shout, this could be the closest WSL season on record - surpassing even the three-way title fight on the final day of the 2014 campaign.

WSL Top 4 as it stands

Manchester United

Manchester United currently lead the table, with 41 points from 17 matches played. They are well ahead on goal difference as well, scoring 46 goals, and only conceding 9 throughout the season. They've certainly been one of the most entertaining sides this league has seen.

In the past, United consistently have finished in fourth, but it seems unlikely for them to suffer such a drastic drop in the rankings at this stage, and they should finish in a Champions League spot.

However, it's worth noting that the team is relatively inexperienced, with key players like Alessia Russo, Ella Toone, Maya Le Tissier, and Ona Batlle all still in their early years of senior club football.

Additionally, they face a challenging run of fixtures compared to the other three teams vying for the title. Their upcoming schedule includes matches against Arsenal and Manchester City, both at home, as well as a trip to face Aston Villa, a team that's flying.

On the final day of the season, they'll face Liverpool in a Northwest derby, and it's no question that the Merseyside team will do all that they can to stop their rivals from lifting their first WSL trophy.

Man Utd remaining WSL fixtures

• 19/04/23 - Man Utd vs Arsenal (19:15 BST)
• 29/04/23 - Aston Villa vs Man Utd (12:30 BST)
• 07/05/23 - Man Utd vs Tottenham (12:00 BST)
• 21/05/23 - Man Utd vs Man City (12:00 BST)
• 27/05/23 - Liverpool vs Man Utd (15:00 BST)

Chelsea

If there is one thing to knonw about this Chelsea side, it that they know how to win.

They are three-time back-to-back reigning WSL champions and far and away have the most experience in grinding out results in their favour.

However, in recent weeks, their team has appeared disorganised, and Emma Hayes has struggled to settle on the best lineup without Pernille Harder, Fran Kirby, Millie Bright, and possibly now Kadeisha Buchanan, who recently pulled out of Canada's squad due to injury.

Chelsea's heavy reliance on Sam Kerr, who hasn't hit the same numbers in 2022/23, to lead the frontline is also cause for concern, especially after selling Bethany England in January without signing a replacement. Add to that the fact that Chelsea are the only team competing in three competitions, which Hayes has admitted is taking a toll on her squad may hinder their title chances.

The positive for Chelsea is that they have the most favourable run in by far, with four of their remaining six league fixtures at home and only one match against a title rival, Arsenal.

Chelsea - remaining WSL fixtures

• 03/05/23 - Chelsea vs Liverpool (19:15 BST)
• 07/05/23 - Chelsea vs Everton (14:00 BST)
• 21/05/23 - Chelsea vs Arsenal (14:00 BST)
• 27/05/23 - Reading vs Chelsea (15:00 BST)
• TBD - Chelsea vs Leicester
• TBD - West Ham vs Chelsea

Arsenal

Despite missing star forwards Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead, Arsenal coach Jonas Eidevall has somehow managed to keep his team competitive.

Frida Maanum has been instrumental in both scoring and creating goals while also providing valuable support to Stina Blackstenius, with Arsenal's high press a key part of their strategy and a significant change from Eidevall's predecessor, Joe Montemurro.

Still, the Gunners are coming from behind in this title race, and a finish outside of the top three would be an extremely disappointing end to their season.

Their fixture list includes four away games out of their remaining six, two of which are against direct title rivals in Chelsea and Manchester United. With an already depleted squad and the added challenge of competing in the Champions League semi-finals, the intensity of these games and the travel could pose a significant challenge.

Arsenal - remaining WSL fixtures

• 19/04/23 - Man United vs Arsenal (19:15 BST)
• 07/05/23 - Arsenal vs Leicester (14:00 BST)
• 10/05/23 - Brighton vs Arsenal (19:30 BST)
• 21/05/23 - Chelsea vs Arsenal (14:00 BST)
• 27/05/23 - Arsenal vs Aston Villa (15:00 BST)
• TBD - Everton vs Arsenal

Manchester City

For Manchester City, the WSL could determine head coach Gareth Taylor's future at the club, with his contract expiring at the end of this season.

Despite a poor start to their campaign, City had enjoyed a 14-match unbeaten run in the league until that recently came to an end against Arsenal.

Bunny Shaw has been the standout player, driving the attack with her remarkable first touch and goal-scoring ability, with the Jamaican leading the WSL in goals scored. Another significant decision that has paid off for Taylor is Yui Hasegawa's move to a deep playmaker role, which has made City much more fluid and unpredictable when transitioning from defence to attack.

City's fixture list is promising, and with no other competitions to worry about, they can fully concentrate on the league. However, a big test awaits them in Manchester United, their city rivals, in the second-last game of the season. Victory in that game, combined with wins in the others, could provide them with an opportunity for glory.

Man City - remaining WSL fixtures

• 23/04/23 - Man City vs West Ham (18:45 BST)
• 30/04/23 - Man City vs Reading (14:00 BST)
• 07/05/23 - Liverpool vs Man City (14:00 BST)
• 21/05/23 - Man United vs Man City (12:00 BST)
• 27/05/23 - Man City vs Everton (15:00 BST)