Relegation and the race for Europe – what’s to play for in WSL?

Chelsea are in the lead for a sixth consecutive title with only five games left in the Women’s Super League.

The Blues are eight points clear of the top with their first league title under Sonia Bompastor.

Crystal Palace and Aston Villa are engaged in a fierce relegation battle at the other end of the table.

Meanwhile, Manchester City must battle it out to earn their place in the Champions League title.

Under new boss Bompastor, there haven’t been any signs of tinnitus issues for Chelsea this season, and the Blues’ dominance of the league, which was established under Emma Hayes’ predecessor, has continued.

Chelsea are eight points clear of Arsenal and Manchester United, who are their closest rivals in the WSL this season despite being unbeaten there. They have won 47 of their possible 51.

The final five games will allow Arsenal and United to earn a maximum of 15 points, which would give them the most points.

The WSL champions and the other five top-ranked national associations’ winners will also automatically qualify.

Direct qualification will be guaranteed for the runners-up of the two top-ranked associations along with the winners of the previous season.

Since the WSL is currently ranked second, the top two teams will automatically be able to enter the 18-team league format, with the third team entering the qualifying rounds.

Manchester City’s chances of playing in European football next season are fading, while Chelsea, who were up until the final day of last year, are all but out of the title race.

Crystal Palace’s first season in England’s top division has been difficult for them since winning the Championship last year.

Leif Smerud’s side now has a fighting chance after winning 3-1 against fellow strugglers Villa earlier this month. The club looked set to descend immediately.

Villa, who were supposed to top four just 18 months ago, are one point ahead of Palace in the danger zone due to their struggles since Carla Ward’s departure.

It’s a mentality, fight, and it’s all at once, according to the author. Ellen White, a former Lionesses striker, said, “I don’t even think it’s about performance right now. It’s about who wants to stay in the league the most.”

“You don’t want to see anyone get relegated, but this is just going to be incredible to watch these final five games.”

Manchester United face three of the top four teams in a bid to impose pressure on Chelsea and maintain their Champions League position.

In the race for Europe, the Manchester derby on the final day of the season could be crucial.

Nick Cushing, City’s interim manager, is optimistic about the fixture list.

You have to consider where we might be able to make up that ground, he said as the coach. “We have to win,” we say. With those [final] three games, we must be in the distance.

Before the season is over, Crystal Palace will face Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City in a difficult run-in.

In their final five games, Villa will only face one top-four team, and they will also benefit from a Villa Park home crowd for their final game.

Jen Beattie, a former defender for Manchester City and Arsenal, said she is more concerned about Palace than Villa.

According to Beattie, “I think they can get more out of their results because they’re about to play the top teams higher up,” while “They’re about to play the top teams,”

Despite having a challenging fixture list, Palace manager Leif Smerud is confident that his side can turn things around.

This group has not been defeated, they say. He asserted that this team is not a team that has failed.

Chelsea are regarded as the “supercomputer” favorites to win the WSL title in 99.4% of simulations, with the Blues projected as champions.

Meanwhile, Opta gives Arsenal a 0.5% chance of winning the title, giving them a slither of hope.

With only a 0.5% chance of relegation, Amandine Miquel’s Leicester have all but confirmed their WSL season-long relegation, according to Opta’s predictions.