As the Barclays WSL title race moves into February, Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea face an absolutely must-win match against favourites Manchester City at the Etihad.
Chelsea will have Aggie Beever-Jones and Keira Walsh fit enough to potentially start, with only the latter featuring in the last outing.
Man City go into the game already nine points ahead of the Blues, and 10 better off than Arsenal.
Head coach Sonia Bompastor said in her press conference: “There are nine games left in the WSL. The only thing is that we are not in control of it. Manchester City are leading the table and are in control.
“We just need to make sure we focus on how we want to perform and to give ourselves a better chance to win. Every game is a must-win game for Chelsea. We will never give up.”
Manchester United will go above the Gunners should they beat Liverpool, but the Merseysiders’ improved form gives them a chance to not just climb off the bottom but leap up three places.
West Ham and Everton are both only a point better off, with the Hammers hosting a Spurs side looking to go level on points again with Arsenal and the Toffees taking on Aston Villa.
Brighton versus London City is a mid-table meeting with the former a point ahead of the latter.
Charlton take a five-point lead in WSL 2 to Sheffield United, while closest title rivals Birmingham face Nottingham Forest. Third-placed Bristol City play Sunderland on Saturday, fifth-placed Newcastle welcome Ipswich, who are five points adrift at the bottom of the table.
Southampton sit four points behind visitors Crystal Palace in fourth, Durham clash with Portsmouth as only goal difference separates the two teams just above the relegation zone.
Sunday 1 February
Brighton & Hove Albion v London City Lionesses (Crawley Town FC, 11.55am) – Live on Sky Sports/YouTube
Everton v Aston Villa (Goodison Park, 11.55am) – Live on Sky Sports/YouTube
Manchester United v Liverpool (Leigh Sports Village, 11.55am) – Live on Sky Sports
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (Dagenham & Redbridge FC, 11.55am)– Live on Sky Sports
Manchester City v Chelsea (Etihad Stadium, 2.30pm) –Live on BBC
Barclays WSL 2 – All live on WSL YouTube
Bristol City v Sunderland (Ashton Gate, Saturday, 5.15pm)
Durham v Portsmouth (Maiden Castle, 12pm)
Sheffield United v Charlton Athletic (Bramall Lane, 1pm)
Birmingham City v Nottingham Forest (St Andrews Stadium, 2pm)
Newcastle United v Ipswich Town (Gateshead International Stadium, 2pm)
Southampton v Crystal Palace (St Mary’s Stadium, 2pm)
