WSL 1
Saturday sees Liverpool take on bottom of the table Bristol Academy in the only WSL 1 action of the day. The Reds currently sit 6th in the league with a game in hand on all but one of the other sides above them, but Matt Beard’s players must produce a result against the Vixens if they want any chance of defending their title this season.
League newcomers Sunderland travel to struggling Birmingham on Sunday in a game that could the North East side top the table with a win if other results go their way. Their Midlands opponents will be hoping to extend the gap between themselves and 8th placed Bristol to more than just the one point in the fight to avoid relegation.
Elsewhere FA Cup finalists Notts County host Manchester City who have climbed up the WSL 1 table in recent weeks following 4 wins out of 4 since the summer break, including famous victories against Chelsea and Arsenal. City are currently 4th but are just three points behind league leaders Chelsea with a game in hand. No doubt manager Nick Cushing will see this weekend’s fixture against 5th placed County a vital 6-pointer.
FEATURED GAME
Arsenal Ladies vs. Chelsea Ladies – Sunday 23 August, 6pm. Live on BT Sport
With just two points separating these two title contenders and Manchester City hot on their heels, this Sunday’s fixture is a must win for both Arsenal and Chelsea Ladies. After this weekend there are just three league games remaining to decide 2015’s title winners and three points for either of these London sides will go a long way to bringing that trophy one step closer to the capital. Both teams will have had their confidence knocked in recent weeks following damaging defeats to Manchester City but Arsenal already have one up on their rivals after beating them 2-0 away from home in the Continental Cup last weekend.
WSL 2
Second placed Reading host second from bottom London Bees on Saturday in the WSL 2 with the Royals needing a win to keep pace with league leaders Doncaster Rovers Belles who are currently two points ahead of their rivals. The Belles play on Sunday and face a Millwall side who have won just two games so far this season.
Also on Sunday, bottom of the table Watford host Oxford who could leapfrog both Durham and Aston Villa with a win, and Everton travel to Durham. The Lady Toffees are just 5 points short of third place with two games in hand and will be hoping a victory against the Wildcats could even keep their dreams of a second, or first, place finish alive.
FEATURED GAME
Yeovil Town vs. Aston Villa Ladies – Sunday 23 August, 2pm
Just two wins separate Yeovil Town and Aston Villa, who sit third and fifth in the table respectively. Although the Lady Glovers do have a game in hand on their opponents. After a promising start to the season Villa are now without a win since mid-July and come in to this fixture having lost the last 3 in all competitions. One of these losses included a 3-1 defeat to Yeovil in the Continental Cup with Nicola Cousins, Alys Hinchcliffe and top goalscorer Annie Heatherson getting themselves on the scoresheet. Another win for the West Country outfit could see them close the gap on WSL 2 leaders Doncaster Rovers and Reading, who are 8 and 6 points ahead respectively.
