WSL weekend preview including relegation six-pointer and title challengers
Away from the glitz of the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-finals there is a huge weekend of WSL action that could have huge ramifications at both the top and bottom of the table.
Over the next three days we'll see eight of the 12 clubs in action, kickstarted by a Friday night showdown between high-flying Aston Villa and league leaders Man Utd. United know a win will put them in the title driving seat, but they'll have to keep one of the players of the season quiet, in the shape of England forward Rachel Daly.
Saturday promises to be a huge day in the relegation battle, with Tottenham meeting Brighton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with both clubs having changed manager in recent months. The weekend is then rounded off by Champions League chasing Man City hosting lowly Reading at the Academy Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Here's what to look out for in the top flight.
Man Utd face one of their toughest remaining hurdles
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Who would have predicted back in September that Man Utd would be leading the WSL going into the final month of the season. United's 1-0 win over Arsenal last week has reignited hopes they could claim the double, with an FA Cup final to come.
Despite having a four point lead at the top with only four games to play, United are in the strange position of not having the title in their own hands. If Chelsea were to win all their remaining games, they would be champions rather than Marc Skinner's team.
But before worrying about what the holders do, the Red Devils need to take as many points as possible from their remaining matches with the trip to Villa looking the toughest, alongside a home Manchester derby. If they can overcome a team that have been "the best of the rest" for most of the season, United will be believing they can go all the way.
Alessia Russo celebrates scoring Manchester United's opening goal against Arsenal (Photo by Alex Livesey - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)Stopping Daly will be crucial but Skinner is confident his defence can handle her. "If we can limit the opportunities she gets, then we’ve done our job and that's all we can ask," he said. "We know how good Rachel is, I experienced playing against her in the US, she's a wonderful talented player and never stops running, she gives everything."
Aston Villa have another chance to show progress
They may have fallen short or reaching the FA Cup final with a loss to Chelsea two weeks ago, but Aston Villa have still made remarkable progress this season. Carla Ward has led her team to fifth in the table and they have already proven they can upset the big guns, taking four points off Man City.
They were well beaten at Old Trafford in their last meeting with United, probably one of Villa's few 'off' days this season. But in front of a lively crowd at the Bescot Stadium, with Rachel Daly and Kenza Dali in fine form, this should be a closer battle. Villa won't be able to catch the top four this season, but a win here would be a statement victory.
Can Ward and her talented team fire an early warning shot for next season and make even more porgress?
Leicester need to take huge opportunity against safe Liverpool
Leicester City's improvement in performance since Christmas has been well documented. After all - Foxes never quit. But they still need points to avoid the drop and time is quickly running out.
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Willie Kirk's side have just five games remaining and still occupy the sole relegation spot, a point behind Reading and two behind Brighton. With away trips to come to title chasing Arsenal and Chelsea after this, Saturday is a 'must win' situation for the Foxes at the King Power Stadium.
They could be helped by the fact Liverpool are, realistically, already safe from the drop - not that Matt Beard is the type of manager to let his players go "on the beach" with fixtures still to play. Everyone at Leicester will know if they are still alive on the final day of the season, where they face fellow strugglers Brighton, they have a huge chance of staying up.
Manager Willie Kirk during a Leicester training session (Getty Images/ Leicester City)But to get to that scenario a win against the Reds here is essential.
Tottenham and Brighton set for six-pointer
The biggest game of the weekend undoubtedly comes from the bottom of the table in North London, where Spurs host Brighton with both sides in dire need of points. Tottenham were within minutes of a season-turning win at home to Aston Villa last weekend before - who else - Rachel Daly struck late on.
But they can still take pride from arguably their best performance of the season. Vicky Jepson does seem to be getting something of a tune out of the Spurs players and they'll be back in front of a big crowd this weekend at the world-class Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
When these two sides met last time, Spurs won 8-0 and Brighton sacked Hope Powell, with both clubs struggling to pick up points ever since.
In a week where news broke that club Chairman Daniel Levy wants the WSL to be a closed league, everyone connect with the women's team will know that relegation is unthinkable for a side with one of the larger budgets in the league. Brighton looked reborn under new manager Melissa Phillips and were unlucky not to come away from Liverpool with at least a point last week.
Working on the basis that Leicester win twice before the end of the season, both of these sides have work to do to secure their top flight status. The winner on Saturday night will be safe, the loser could well be playing in the Championship next season.
Can Gareth Taylor's in-form City keep up late title push?
It's bizarre to think that by kick-off time against Reading on Sunday, Man City will have only played twice in the last month. A narrow 2-1 defeat to Arsenal and last week's 6-2 thrashing of West Ham.
But when looking at the bigger picture, City have only lost three times, once in each domestic competition since September. That is a phenomenal run by any standards and considering they were written off by many back in October, Gareth Taylor deserves plenty of credit.
Even at this stage not many will have them as WSL title favourites. But looking at their run-in they could be in with a great chance. After Reading, they travel to Liverpool and although they then have to navigate a huge Manchester derby, City conclude the season at home to Everton.
Even if the title proves beyond them, a slightly gentler run-in could help them secure a crucial top three spot, and with it a return to the Women's Champions League next season.
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