The Women’s Super League (WSL) season is almost upon us, but what are the big questions and predictions you need to know? Can Chelsea continue their dominance of the league now that Emma Hayes has moved on to coach the United States team, or will Manchester City and Arsenal manage to close the gap? Which teams are in danger of the drop?
Chelsea face Aston Villa on Friday (7 p.m. BST; 2 p.m. ET) to kick off the 2024-25 campaign, and then Arsenal face Man City (12.30 p.m. BST; 7.30 a.m. ET) in a blockbuster fixture on Sunday.
Here’s what our experts think.
Can anyone stop Chelsea winning another title?
Sophie Lawson: The defending champions will be favourites given they have won five titles on the bounce (and seven of the last 10) and it’s hard to ignore the sheer talent in the squad. That said, we’re yet to see how the team fare in competitive games under new manager Sonia Bompastor. Throw in questions around the base of Chelsea’s midfield and the lack of WSL experience in their crop of talented youngsters and this season feels more foundational for them. After moving on from Hayes, this season could be about Bompastor bedding in and giving the side a grace period to make and learn from their mistakes.
Emily Keogh: With the seismic shifts at Chelsea and several WSL clubs over the summer, predicting the final standings feels like a shot in the dark. Under Bompastor’s leadership, the integration of young talent alongside seasoned veterans is set to deepen Chelsea’s squad and enhance their performance. But although her illustrious history as Lyon coach sets high expectations, she deserves the same time as Hayes received to mould Chelsea into a formidable force.
However, Manchester City are closing in on their first title since 2016, and their excellent transfer window promises to set up a fierce race for glory.
Lawson: Of the 12 WSL managers, five will be coming into the league for the first time this season and four of those are new to their respective clubs, so it’s about who can hit the ground running fastest. Having consistently impressed during her time with Stade de Reims, Amandine Miquel (and her assistant Amaury Messuwe) could easily go down as the managerial signing of the summer. I’m really excited to see how Leicester do under her guidance.
Keogh: Laura Kaminski’s promotion with Palace was impressive, and her challenge now is to keep the team in the WSL. With a solid summer transfer window, her squad looks promising. The disparity between newly promoted teams and established top-tier sides is always significant, but with all WSL teams now backed by men’s Premier League clubs, it’s an opportune moment for Palace to assert themselves and a strong start is crucial.
It would be remarkable if Kaminski were able to maintain the club’s top-flight status and avoid the promotion/relegation yoyo. She’s also one of only two English female managers in the WSL, so her success is key to inspiring the next generation.
Predictions (Winners, top four, relegation, top scorer)
Lawson: Collectively, the top three is a bit predictable, but I think Manchester City will claim their first title since 2016. City’s team is just too good, and I’ve got Arsenal second, Chelsea third, and Spurs slotting into fourth.
At the other end of the table, I’m worried about Palace and West Ham for relegation. Both teams have made some astute signings, but there’s not much in the way of a safety net in the league and if one team hits a bad patch then it could be a long and frustrating season.
For the WSL top goal scorer, it could be the same as last year — Bunny Shaw. Even though Man City have plenty of players who can find the back of the net, with Shaw as the focal point there’s a natural proclivity for the team to funnel balls into the box for the Jamaica international. I’m expecting a similar goal return (21 from 18 games) for her.
Keogh: While I hesitate to mirror last season’s top four exactly, the shape of the standings will probably be similar. I think the title race will go down to the wire and will possibly depend on goal difference again. But this time Manchester City have all the tools and talent at their disposal — especially after adding a goal-scoring talent such as Miedema — to win their first WSL title since 2016, so I’m going to pick them.
As for second, Arsenal and Chelsea are likely to battle it out, though Arsenal’s track record of inconsistent results against lower-table teams makes me think they will finish in third for a third season running. I think Aston Villa and Man United will be fighting for the fourth spot, with Liverpool close behind.
In terms of relegation, Kaminski’s role at Palace is thrilling but challenging, as transitioning from the Championship to the WSL is notoriously tough. But West Ham’s young and inexperienced squad might make them vulnerable, potentially allowing Palace to leapfrog them into a safer position.
As for the Golden Boot, though Shaw is a strong contender, I’m backing Elisabeth Terland. The Norway striker’s move from Brighton & Hove Albion to Man United and her knack for conjuring goals out of thin air could see her surpass Shaw. With the impressive Grace Clinton providing the service, Terland is well positioned to top the goal-scoring charts after bagging 13 goals in 22 games last season.
