Key events
Everton v Arsenal team news
Everton Women: Brosnan, Mjelde, Fernandez, Stenevik, Sara Holmgaard, Vanhaevermaet, Snoeijs, Ladd, Hayashi, Toni Payne, Gago.
Subs: Ramsey, Wheeler, Lawley, Hope, Watson, Heather Payne, Sarri, Karen Holmgaard, Olesen.
Arsenal Women: Zinsberger, Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe, Maanum, Little, Caldentey, Kelly, Walti, Russo.
Subs: Williams, Ilestedt, Nighswonger, Cooney-Cross, Pelova, Foord, Mead, Hurtig, Blackstenius.
Preamble
A popular golf phrase is that ‘you can’t win a tournament on the first day, but you can certainly lose it’. This is certainly relevant for tonight’s WSL fixtures. Second-placed Manchester United and third-placed Arsenal certainly cannot win the WSL title with wins tonight but if they drop points against Liverpool and Everton respectively, then surely their title chances are done and dusted (if they aren’t already).
It’s not that the gap to Chelsea is gargantuan. But, should United or Arsenal limp to a draw or defeat tonight (against Liverpool and Everton respectively), leaders Chelsea have been too good this season to suggest that they are going to drop at least seven points from their final six games. The Blues remain invincible. They have plenty of motivation to remain unbeaten, have a far superior goal difference to their rivals (effectively good for another point) and a stacked squad, which was heavily bolstered in January and which is about to get even stronger.
Still, if United win tonight, the gap is just five points. United are on a seven-game winning streak in the WSL, stretching back to early December (a run that started with a 4-0 win over Liverpool). Arsenal are on a similar league run, save for a crucial 1-0 defeat to Chelsea back in January. Both red teams are still in excellent form. The WSL title race is not over until the fat man sings.
Join me for this epic double-header, hindered only by the fact that the two kick-offs are at slightly different times. Thanks, schedulers!
Everton v Arsenal, 7pm (all times GMT).
Liverpool v Manchester United, 7.15pm.