Chelsea extend WSL lead to six points – when could they win it?

As the Women’s Super League enters the final few weeks of the season, Chelsea remain in the driving seat for a sixth successive title.

Their lead was cut to three points following Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Leicester last Tuesday, but Sonia Bompastor’s Blues thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday to move six points clear again.

Manchester United missed their chance to put the pressure on over the weekend as they drew 0-0 with West Ham.

United’s draw gave Manchester City a little lift in their uphill battle to claim a Champions League spot – but they wasted their chance to close the gap as they drew 1-1 with Everton on Sunday.

City are seven points behind their third-placed neighbours but still have to play United.

At the other end of the table, Crystal Palace are seven points adrift of Aston Villa and Leicester, and could be relegated if they lose to West Ham on Sunday.

There have been no signs of teething problems for Chelsea this season under new boss Bompastor, as their league dominance – established under predecessor Emma Hayes – has continued.

Unbeaten in the WSL this season, Chelsea have 51 points from a possible 57, although two draws in March allowed closest challengers Arsenal to get within three points and Manchester United within five.

The highest total Arsenal could finish with is 54 points, meaning Chelsea need four more to guarantee the title.

Because of their Champions League semi-final participation, Chelsea’s WSL game at Manchester United has been rearranged for 30 April.

They could clinch the title with victory over United (20:15 BST kick-off) should Arsenal drop points against Aston Villa earlier that evening (18:00).

Manchester City, who challenged Chelsea until the final day last season, are now mathematically out of the title race and only have slim hopes of achieving a Champions League spot.

Even if City win all their remaining games – including against their neighbours – one win from United’s other two matches would be enough for them to finish third.

From next season, the Women’s Champions League format is changing, with the number of teams earning direct qualification expanding from four teams to nine.

The winners of the WSL will directly qualify, along with the champions from the other five top-ranked national associations.

The runners-up of the two top-ranked associations will also be guaranteed direct qualification, along with the previous season’s winners.

Crystal Palace look destined to return to the Championship after struggling to adapt during their first season in England’s top division.

A 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Villa gave Leif Smerud’s side hope but they are seven points adrift and will be relegated if they fail to beat West Ham on Sunday.

Villa are now almost safe after beating Liverpool at the end of March before a dramatic last-gasp win against Tottenham on Sunday increased their buffer to seven points.

Marc Skinner’s Manchester United face three of the top four teams as they look to pile pressure on Chelsea and keep their Champions League place.

The Manchester derby on the penultimate day of the season could prove key in the race for Europe.

The fixture list has given City interim boss Nick Cushing cause for optimism.

“Once that’s mathematically impossible then it is what it is, but until then we’re going to fight right until the end,” he said.

Opta’s ‘supercomputer’ prediction model has Chelsea as nailed-on favourites to lift the WSL trophy – they are projected as champions in 97.9% of simulations.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have been given a slither of hope, with Opta giving them a 2.1% chance of winning the title.

According to Opta’s predictions, Amandine Miquel’s Leicester have all but confirmed their stay in the WSL for another season, with only a 0.2% chance of relegation.

The stats also favour Villa, with them having a 0.1% chance of going down.