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      A packed weekend in the women's game...

      WSL preview: Conti Cup final and league action

      2024/03/28 11:31
      E5

      Arsenal take on Chelsea in Sunday's Conti Cup final but we've also got four big WSL games to look at in this week's preview.

      Let's get straight on with the league games first which include two clashes between teams from Liverpool and Manchester.


      Saturday

      @Getty /
      Liverpool vs. Manchester City

      Our first game between the two rival cities is in Liverpool where the Reds host Manchester City. 

      City did Liverpool a favour last time out when they defeated Manchester United, allowing Matt Beard's team to move up to fourth but it's unlikely they will continue to be generous again considering City are pushing for the title.

      The two games between the sides this season (in the league and Conti Cup) have been full of goals – 13 in total from both fixtures. 

      City won both of those games, a 4-3 win in the cup back in November before a 5-1 hammering in January in which Bunny Shaw scored a hat-trick. Liverpool will be after revenge on home turf.

      Aston Villa vs. Leicester City

      Ebony Salmon had given Aston Villa the lead at home to Arsenal last Sunday but the Gunners came roaring back to eventually take all three points. That defeat was Villa's 10th of the season, with Carla Ward's team improving but still off last season's vintage.

      Villa will feel like they can get back to winning ways quickly when they host Leicester City – a team they have never lost to before.

      Rachel Daly scored the only goal of the game when these two sides met earlier in the season and with the Foxes having lost to Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton in recent weeks, they'll be keen to avoid making it three in a row.


      Sunday

      @Getty /
      Manchester United vs. Everton

      The Red Devils suffered another bruising Manchester derby defeat that saw them drop down to fifth in the league table with pressure growing on manager Marc Skinner.

      However, judging by the form book this game should give the team some relief considering that United have defeated Everton twice already this season: 5-0 in the league back in October and 7-0 in the Conti Cup in November.

      Of those 12 United goals, former Everton player Nikita Parris (who once again could not find her way into Sarina Wiegman's England team) scored five of them.

      Everton will need a plan to stop their former player but they did manage to stop Liverpool last weekend, earning a goalless draw in the Merseyside derby.

      West Ham United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

      Our final league game of the weekend with Arsenal vs. Bristol City and Tottenham vs. Chelsea both postponed due to the Conti Cup final, sees West Ham host Brighton.

      Both teams exist in the small group of teams in the bottom half of the table with no chance of going down.

      West Ham are coming off a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea after a tricky run of fixtures while the Seagulls enjoyed a win over Leicester City last time out.

      It is set to be a close game between these two with the Hammers having won the league clash between the sides back in October while Brighton were the winners in November's Conti Cup game.


      Conti Cup Final

      @Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images
      Arsenal v Chelsea

      The big game of the weekend takes place at Molineux as holders Arsenal take on Chelsea in a repeat of last season's final.

      Sam Kerr had given Chelsea an early lead in the game but the Gunners fought back with Stina Blackstenius, Kim Little, and an own goal from Niamh Charles resulting in a 3-1 victory for Arsenal.

      Despite Arsenal's affinity with the Conti Cup having won the trophy in half of the tournament's seasons so far (six wins compared to Man City's four and Chelsea's two), it's Emma Hayes' team who are favourites.

      This could be the beginning of a potential quadruple for Chelsea in Hayes' final season and it's up to Arsenal to spoil the party by making it two wins in a row.

      Looking back at the two league fixtures between the two this season, Jonas Eidevall's side enjoyed an emphatic 4-1 over Chelsea in the league back in December while more recently it was the Blues who won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge with Sjoeke Nüsken scoring a brace.

      It's difficult to call who will triumph this time in what should be a fascinating final in Wolverhampton.

      Comments

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      motivo:
      LH
      2024-03-28 13h19m by lhalliday_bart
      As an Arsenal fan, I'm excited to see the intense competition between Liverpool and Manchester City. It's always a thrilling match between these two teams and I'm expecting some great football. Can't wait for the action!
      2024-03-28 13h06m by eedwards
      As an Arsenal fan, I'm excited to see my team take on Chelsea in the Conti Cup final! But, I'm also looking forward to this week's preview of four big WSL games. Starting with the Liverpool vs. Manchester City clash, I'm hoping my fellow Reds can get a win against the title-pushing City. We've had some high-scoring games against them this season, so it should be an interesting match.
      DN
      2024-03-28 12h33m by dnelsons
      As a Chelsea fan, I'm definitely looking forward to the Conti Cup final against Arsenal on Sunday! But before that, let's not forget about the big WSL games coming up this week. I'm especially excited for the Liverpool vs. Manchester City match - always a thrilling rivalry. City may have done us a favor last time, but they won't be so kind this time as they fight for the title. Plus, with a total of 13 goals in our previous matches against them
      2024-03-28 12h21m by ocollinsworth
      Excited for the big game this weekend against Chelsea, but let's not forget about the other important WSL matches! Definitely keeping an eye on the Liverpool vs Manchester City clash. City did us a favor last time, but I don't think they'll be as generous again. Hoping for some revenge on our home turf!
      OM
      2024-03-28 11h44m by omitchellsonjones
      As an Arsenal fan, I can't wait to see our team take on Chelsea in the Conti Cup final on Sunday. But before that, there are some exciting WSL games to look forward to this week.

      First up, a big match between two rival cities - Liverpool and Manchester. Liverpool will be hosting Manchester City and I have to say, I'm a little nervous. City did us a favor last time by beating Manchester United, but I don't think they'll be
      classic matches
      U Sunday, 31 March 2024 - 15:00
      Molineux
      1-0
      a.e.t.
      Stina Blackstenius 116'

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