5 large questions, plus predictions, that would form the WSL

The Women’s Super League (WSL) season is sort of upon us, however what are the massive questions and predictions it is advisable know? Can Chelsea proceed their dominance of the league now that Emma Hayes has moved on to educate the United States group, or will Manchester City and Arsenal handle to shut the hole? Which groups are at risk of the drop?

Chelsea face Aston Villa on Friday (7 p.m. BST; 2 p.m. ET) to kick off the 2024-25 marketing campaign, after which Arsenal face Man Metropolis (12.30 p.m. BST; 7.30 a.m. ET) in a blockbuster fixture on Sunday.

This is what our specialists suppose.

Can anybody cease Chelsea successful one other title?

Sophie Lawson: The defending champions might be favourites given they’ve gained 5 titles on the bounce (and 7 of the final 10) and it is exhausting to disregard the sheer expertise within the squad. That mentioned, we’re but to see how the group fare in aggressive video games below new supervisor Sonia Bompastor. Throw in questions across the base of Chelsea’s midfield and the dearth of WSL expertise of their crop of proficient kids and this season feels extra foundational for them. After transferring on from Hayes, this season may very well be about Bompastor bedding in and giving the facet a grace interval to make and be taught from their errors.

Emily Keogh: With the seismic shifts at Chelsea and a number of other WSL golf equipment over the summer season, predicting the ultimate standings looks like a shot at nighttime. Underneath Bompastor’s management, the combination of younger expertise alongside seasoned veterans is ready to deepen Chelsea’s squad and improve their efficiency. However though her illustrious historical past as Lyon coach units excessive expectations, she deserves the identical time as Hayes acquired to mould Chelsea right into a formidable pressure.

Nevertheless, Manchester Metropolis are closing in on their first title since 2016, and their wonderful switch window guarantees to arrange a fierce race for glory.

Who will end within the prime 4?

Lawson: Historically, it has been Chelsea, Manchester Metropolis, Arsenal and Man United, however we noticed the Pink Devils fall off the tempo final season as Liverpool romped into fourth.

The highest three in all probability might be Chelsea, Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal in some order, and whoever can discover consistency will take fourth. For me, it isn’t reduce and dried that United might be that group to rejoin the quartet, although Liverpool may battle with the additional expectation now positioned upon them, as many WSL groups have had a robust switch window. It isn’t so exhausting to think about the likes of Leicester City or Everton happening a robust run. And naturally, there’s final season’s sixth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who may step up.

Keogh: Given the dynamic recruitment and historic prowess of Man Metropolis, Chelsea and Arsenal, they’re prone to safe three of the highest 4 spots. However that leaves one place up for grabs.

Liverpool may battle to construct on final season’s success, with supervisor Matt Beard acknowledging they overachieved, and subsequently Man United have an opportunity to reclaim their top-four place. However Aston Villa, with their spectacular preseason kind and important signings, may very well be ones to look at. The brand new-manager bounce at Villa may see Robert de Pauw propel them upward and mirror the success of the lads’s group final season.

Who would be the WSL’s MVP?

Lawson: Yui Hasegawa. Manchester Metropolis are my shout for champions and whereas it is all in regards to the virtuosity of that assault — and we will sit right here for hours firing off superlatives for Bunny Shaw, Vivianne Miedema and Lauren Hemp — Hasegawa is each single vertebrae that makes up the Metropolis backbone.

Keogh: As famous by Soph, Hasegawa might be pivotal for Metropolis and is lastly gaining recognition for her expertise. Arsenal’s new recruit, Mariona Caldentey, is already reworking the group, whereas Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nüsken has earned a Ballon d’Or nomination for her versatility and scientific means. Nüsken may very well be the X-factor in Chelsea’s quest for an eighth title if she continues her spectacular kind. However my vote can also be for Hasegawa.

Who’re the younger gamers to look at?

Lawson: There are many younger gamers to keep watch over this season, together with these new to the league — a whole lot of whom I’ve already highlighted in my 10 players to watch. However I am most enthusiastic about Wieke Kaptein, who has proven some early maturity and poise within the Chelsea midfield.

Spurs’ new 21-year-old right-back Ella Morris, signed from Southampton, has good potential, as does Crystal Palace‘s teenage attacker Abbie Larkin, although she is extra prone to have an effect off the bench.

Lastly, Liverpool won’t have completed a lot in the way in which of switch enterprise this summer season, however securing Olivia Smith will go down as a shrewd deal because the 20-year-old Canada attacker had impressed in her first skilled season at Sporting CP.

Keogh: Smith and Morris are robust picks, however Kaptein’s arrival at Chelsea is especially thrilling. Having already embedded into Netherlands‘ nationwide group, there’s a fearlessness to her fashion of play. Regardless of being 20 years previous, she will be able to maintain her personal in midfield and showcased her means throughout some spectacular preseason performances.

I’ve additionally acquired to present a nod to Chelsea’s Maika Hamano, who has taken to the WSL like a duck to water. Bompastor’s observe file with Lyon’s academy and her ardour for nurturing younger expertise means her gamers are within the excellent setting to showcase their abilities alongside seasoned internationals. The Blues’ pair are poised to make a major influence.

Which supervisor will take advantage of influence?

Lawson: Of the 12 WSL managers, 5 might be coming into the league for the primary time this season and 4 of these are new to their respective golf equipment, so it is about who can hit the bottom operating quickest. Having persistently impressed throughout her time with Stade de Reims, Amandine Miquel (and her assistant Amaury Messuwe) may simply go down because the managerial signing of the summer season. I am actually excited to see how Leicester do below her steering.

Keogh: Laura Kaminski’s promotion with Palace was spectacular, and her problem now could be to maintain the group within the WSL. With a stable summer season switch window, her squad seems to be promising. The disparity between newly promoted groups and established top-tier sides is at all times important, however with all WSL groups now backed by males’s Premier League golf equipment, it is an opportune second for Palace to claim themselves and a robust begin is essential.

It will be exceptional if Kaminski have been capable of preserve the membership’s top-flight standing and keep away from the promotion/relegation yoyo. She’s additionally one in all solely two English feminine managers within the WSL, so her success is essential to inspiring the subsequent era.

Predictions (Winners, prime 4, relegation, prime scorer)

Lawson: Collectively, the highest three is a bit predictable, however I feel Manchester Metropolis will declare their first title since 2016. Metropolis’s group is simply too good, and I’ve acquired Arsenal second, Chelsea third, and Spurs slotting into fourth.

On the different finish of the desk, I am frightened about Palace and West Ham for relegation. Each groups have made some astute signings, however there’s not a lot in the way in which of a security web within the league and if one group hits a foul patch then it may very well be an extended and irritating season.

For the WSL prime aim scorer, it may very well be the identical as final 12 months — Bunny Shaw. Although Man Metropolis have loads of gamers who can discover the again of the web, with Shaw as the focus there is a pure proclivity for the group to funnel balls into the field for the Jamaica worldwide. I am anticipating an analogous aim return (21 from 18 video games) for her.

Keogh: Whereas I hesitate to reflect final season’s prime 4 precisely, the form of the standings will in all probability be related. I feel the title race will go right down to the wire and can presumably rely on aim distinction once more. However this time Manchester Metropolis have all of the instruments and expertise at their disposal — particularly after including a goal-scoring expertise reminiscent of Miedema — to win their first WSL title since 2016, so I will choose them.

As for second, Arsenal and Chelsea are prone to battle it out, although Arsenal’s observe file of inconsistent outcomes in opposition to lower-table groups makes me suppose they’ll end in third for a 3rd season operating. I feel Aston Villa and Man United might be preventing for the fourth spot, with Liverpool shut behind.

By way of relegation, Kaminski’s function at Palace is thrilling however difficult, as transitioning from the Championship to the WSL is notoriously powerful. However West Ham’s younger and inexperienced squad may make them susceptible, probably permitting Palace to leapfrog them right into a safer place.

As for the Golden Boot, although Shaw is a robust contender, I am backing Elisabeth Terland. The Norway striker’s transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion to Man United and her knack for conjuring targets out of skinny air may see her surpass Shaw. With the spectacular Grace Clinton offering the service, Terland is nicely positioned to prime the goal-scoring charts after bagging 13 targets in 22 video games final season.