Key events
Millie Bright is in a Chelsea XI for the first time since November, by the way. What a player she is.
Three teams in the WSL that qualify for the Champions League, and third-placed Arsenal are too far ahead of Liverpool at this stage, but it’s been a brilliant season for Liverpool, who lie in fifth. They will go level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United with a win tonight.
Here’s a decent stat from Liverpool: manager Matt Beard took charge of Chelsea 23 times across the inaugural two WSL seasons in 2011 and 2012 before joining Liverpool. Since his departure, no manager has inflicted more away league defeats on the Blues than Beard (three).
No Lauren James in Chelsea’s squad! Only City’s Bunny Shaw has scored more goals in WSL this season and the England superstar scored a hat-trick against Liverpool last time out.
James didn’t train last week as she nursed an injury and despite featuring against Barcelona, perhaps she has aggravated something in that match?
Mayra Ramírez, Chelsea’s January signing who signed for a British record transfer fee of £384,000, remains sidelined. That’s another blow for Hayes.
The teams!
Preamble
And then there were two. With Arsenal dramatically faltering at Everton on Sunday, Manchester City and Chelsea once against stand alone at the top of the WSL pile, and are set to battle it out for the title.
For most teams, two games remain. Owing to their run to the Champions League semi-finals – where they were controversially dumped out by defending champions Barcelona on Saturday – Chelsea have two games in hand to make up six points on City. Points are important, sure, but goal difference also looks like it will be vital, so even if Chelsea do take a comfortable lead tonight, do not expect them to ease up.
Not that Chelsea’s two games in hand will be easy. Away at Liverpool, who have lost just one league game (to City) since January, and away to FA Cup finalists Tottenham next Wednesday. Eeesh.
The pressure is on. This should be a cracker.
Kick-off: 7pm BST.