WSL gameweek 5 preview: Arsenal target history, relegation clash & can Liverpool score?
The WSL resumes this weekend, with all six teams in action on Sunday during gameweek five.
Arsenal are on the cusp of history, the league's two winless sides meet at the Madjeski and Manchester United have an unbeaten run to maintain.
Here's everything to look out for during gameweek 5 of the WSL.
Can Aston Villa take points off Chelsea for the first time?
Aston Villa came oh so close to taking points off Chelsea in their two WSL meetings last season, losing by a single goal on both occasions. Their defeat in March was a particularly difficult one to take, with Sam Kerr netting a 92nd minute winner for the Blues.
“It was heartbreaking last year, but that’s what good teams do," said Carla Ward. "They’re an unbelievable team with unbelievable quality. It's always a good game when we go to Kingsmeadow.
"Let's be real, we know we're up against, for me, the best team in the country and one of the best teams in Europe, so we've got to enjoy playing those players, matching yourself against those staff. That's where you really see what you're about."
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
When is kick off? Sunday 30 October, 14:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Kingsmeadow
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Referee? Martin Woods
Man Utd must bounce back ahead of challenging run of fixtures
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner was ‘not happy’ at how his team threw away Conti Cup victory deep into stoppage time against Durham in midweek. Even though it was a rotated side and United should have had the quality to beat a second tier club, it brought back unfortunate memories of last season when late equalisers away from home cost them Champions League football.
United were also a little laboured and sluggish in their last WSL win over Leicester a week ago, although still crucially secure all three points, and Everton represents a tough task given how the Toffees have started the season under new manager Brian Sorensen.
But ahead of a run of games against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City in the next six weeks, as well as also heading to Old Trafford in amongst that, Skinner’s team can’t afford any slip ups against ‘the rest’ in their hunt for a top three finish.
When is kick off? Sunday 30 October, 14:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Walton Hall Park
TV channel/live stream? BBC One/iPlayer (UK), FA Player (international)
Referee? Adam Herczeg
Can Liverpool score from open play?
Liverpool have not found the net in the WSL since their opening day victory over Chelsea - and both of those goals came from the penalty spot.
With last season's top scorer Leanne Kiernan currently sidelined, the Reds have drawn a blank in each of their last three WSL outings. However, they did net four against Leicester in the Continental Cup on Wednesday evening, switching from their usual 3-4-3 to a 4-3-3.
Liverpool's goal scoring hopes could be boosted by the potential return of Shanice van de Saanden. The Dutch winger is back in training after missing the beginning of the campaign through injury, and Matt Beard revealed there was a chance that the Dutch winger could be available for 'some minutes' against Manchester City on Sunday.
Manchester City vs Liverpool
When is kick off? Sunday 30 October, 14:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Academy Stadium
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Referee? Kirsty Dowle
Crucial relegation clash
Arguably the most interesting WSL fixture of the weekend is the clash between relegation candidates Reading and Leicester.
The pair are propping up the table, are both yet to pick up a point this season and find themselves in a rotten run of form. Reading are without a WSL win in 14 - their longest ever winless run in the top flight - and Leicester are without a league victory in their last 12 outings - they have lost 11 of those.
Leicester were also embroiled in a battle to avoid the drop last season, and key to their survival was their ability to beat their relegation rivals. The Foxes won four games all season - with two of their victories coming against Birmingham, a side they eventually finished two points ahead of to preserve their top flight stats
“It’s a great opportunity," said Lydia Bedford. "We’ve been really competitive against some good sides so far, but not come away with any points as a result of those performances. But I don’t think one game will define the season.”
Reading vs Leicester
When is kick off? Sunday 30 October, 14:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Madejski Stadium
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Referee? Emily Heaslip
Tottenham suffer another long term injury
Tottenham were dealt a heartbreaking injury blow against Manchester City, as Ellie Brazil was stretchered off after going down just two minutes into her first start for Spurs. The club confirmed this week that Brazil has suffered an ACL injury.
ACL injuries are hugely prevalent in the women's game - Brazil is the third Spurs player currently sidelined with a similar problem, alongside Kyah Simon and Kit Graham. It is also the second ACL injury that Brazil has suffered in the space of three years, having sustained the injury during her time at Brighton - Tottenham's opponents on Sunday - in November 2019.
It leaves Rehanne Skinner's side, who are typically robust defensively but have averaged less than a goal per game in the WSL this term, down another forward player.
“I was gutted for her. She’s worked incredibly hard to get back to being fit," said Skinner. "For us, we’ve only signed her in the summer, she’s an exciting, talented player, and I think it’s a big blow for her and for the team and we’ll do everything that we need to do to get her on track and get her back moving forward for us in time."
Brighton vs Tottenham
When is kick off? Sunday 30 October, 14:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Broadfield Stadium
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Referee? Louise Saunders
Arsenal target WSL record winning run
Arsenal could break the WSL record for the longest winning streak in the league's history should they take all three points against West Ham on Sunday.
The Gunners equalled the WSL's all-time record for successive wins last time out against Liverpool, with the 2-0 victory their 12th on the bounce - a run stretching back to March.
Should they beat the Hammers, Arsenal will eclipse the 12-game winning run recorded by Man City between December 2020 and April 2021. The Gunners also previously notched up 12 consecutive victories between May and November 2018 - win on Sunday and the WSL record will be exclusively theirs.
Arsenal vs West Ham
When is kick off? Sunday 30 October, 18:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Meadow Park
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Football
What time does coverage start? 18:30 (BST)
Referee? Abigail Byrne