Following on from consecutive gameweeks ravaged by Covid-19 postponements, the WSL saw a major drop in positive cases in the last round of testing, with all six fixtures set to go ahead as planned over the course of the weekend.
Last weekend saw the upset of the season so far as previously winless Birmingham inflicted a first defeat of the campaign on leaders Arsenal. Manchester City also kept up their recent good run with a statement 6-0 win over a declining Brighton.
This weekend will be Chelsea’s first back in action since losing consecutive games against Reading in the WSL and Wolfsburg in the Champions League a month ago.
This is everything you need to know about when and how to watch the games…
When is kick off? Saturday 15 January, 12:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Leigh Sports Village
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube, BBC Sport website, FA Player
Referee? Kirsty Dowle
Manchester United come into this one off the back of consecutive WSL wins in December, scoring seven goals and keeping two clean sheets – Ella Toone, Alessia Russo and Marc Skinner all picked up monthly prizes as a result.
But Birmingham have shown they cannot be underestimated. The Blues finally kicked into life against Arsenal last weekend to get a first win of the season at the 11th attempt, having also run Manchester City close not that long ago either.
Prediction: Man Utd 3-1 Birmingham
When is kick off? Saturday 15 January, 12:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Bescot Stadium
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube, BBC Sport website, FA Player
Referee? Louise Sanders
Aston Villa and Manchester City are two teams in contrasting form heading into this one, with the former also welcoming Steph Houghton and Lucy Bronze back following lengthy injury absences since the turn of the calendar year to boost them even more.
Since a bright start to the season, Villa have lost six of their last seven WSL games, scoring only twice in the league since the start of October and conceding 20 in the same period. City, meanwhile, have won three in a row and scored six last time out.
Prediction: Aston Villa 0-5 Man City
When is kick off? Sunday 16 January, 13:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Walton Hall Park
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube, BBC Sport website, FA Player
Referee? Lauren Impey
With eyes on the Champions League after a big summer of recruitment, Everton got a rude awakening when they met Chelsea back in September, losing 4-0 after already being demolished by the same scoreline against Manchester City a week earlier.
But even though the Toffees themselves could be rusty after not playing last weekend, the reverse against Chelsea perhaps comes at a good time. The champions lost successive league and European games in mid-December and haven’t played since.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Chelsea
When is kick off? Sunday 16 January, 14:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? King Power Stadium
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube, BBC Sport website, FA Player
Referee? Abigail Byrne
Leicester couldn’t make it two WSL wins on the bounce in their last outing after finally getting off the mark in the top flight last month. However, they were only narrowly beaten by a flying Reading and will fancy their chances at home against a Brighton side going in reverse.
The Seagulls started the season so well and at one stage looked capable of challenging for a Champions League place. But they have lost three in a row to suddenly slide into the bottom half and shipped six goals against Manchester City last weekend alone.
Prediction: Leicester 2-1 Brighton
When is kick off? Sunday 16 January, 14:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Meadow Park
TV channel/live stream? BBC Once/BBC iPlayer (UK), FA Player (international)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube, BBC Sport website, FA Player
Referee? Elizabeth Simms
Reading will smell blood ahead of this one and have reason to think they could get a positive result. Arsenal have strangely lost their way over the last couple of months and last weekend’s shock defeat to Birmingham was a fourth in their last five games across all competitions.
The Royals, meanwhile, have long since put a dreadful start to the season behind them and have taken 16 points from the last 18 on offer to them. They have also already claimed one big scalp during that run by beating Chelsea last month.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Reading
When is kick off? Sunday 16 January, 18:45 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? The Hive
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Football (UK), FA Player (international)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube, BBC Sport website, FA Player
Referee? Amy Fearn
Tottenham are yet to play in 2022 because of a postponement last weekend but began the New Year sitting in a Champions League place thanks to back-to-back December wins. Conversely, at the same stage last of season they had not long claimed their first win of the campaign.
West Ham have seen their last two WSL fixtures fall victim to Covid-19 and will be keen to get back into action. The Hammers have actually only lost twice in the league so far this season but too many draws have kept from climbing higher up the table.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 West Ham
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