Football
Women’s Super League: Gameweek 3 Predictions
The Women’s Super League returns with four fixtures across Friday and Saturday, including a heavyweight clash between Manchester City and Liverpool and a mouthwatering meeting between Arsenal and Manchester United.
The odds make three of the four home sides strong favourites, while Liverpool provide the biggest test to Manchester City’s perfect start to the season.
Man City favourites to maintain perfect start
Manchester City are 3/10 to beat Liverpool on Friday night, with the visitors priced at 15/2 and the draw available at 4/1.
City are the only side to have won both of their opening league games, most recently producing an impressive 4-1 victory at Aston Villa. Khadija Shaw was among the scorers in that win and finds herself at the top of the goalscorer charts at this early stage, while City have already established themselves at the top of the early WSL table.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have taken four points from their opening two games after a 1-1 draw with Tottenham, making this a much tougher test than the prices might initially suggest.
City are the clear selection but their odds don’t offer much value, so Liverpool at 15/2 could appeal to those looking for a bigger-priced alternative.
London City Lionesses heavily fancied
Saturday begins with Charlton hosting London City Lionesses at 12:30pm, with the visitors priced at just 2/11.
Charlton are 11/1, while the draw is 11/2.
Charlton are back in the topflight this season and have lost their opening two games, although their latest 1-0 defeat at Everton came in controversial circumstances after a red card. London City, meanwhile, started the campaign with victory over Manchester United before suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to West Ham last weekend.
With the likes of world-class talents Alexia Putellas and Mapi Leon in the side, you have to expect the Lionesses will be up to bouncing back and the current odds reflects that confidence.
Chelsea expected to cruise past Birmingham
Chelsea are the shortest-priced side of the weekend at 1/20 against Birmingham City.
The newly promoted visitors are 22/1, with the draw 14/1, highlighting the gulf expected between the sides.
Chelsea bounced back from their opening-day draw with Aston Villa in emphatic fashion last weekend, thrashing Manchester United 5-0. Lauren James and Sjoeke Nüsken were among the key attacking performers as Chelsea produced a dominant display.
Birmingham did show plenty of attacking intent in their 2-2 draw with Brighton, but Chelsea represent a significant step up in opposition.
It’s difficult to see past the London side.
Arsenal and United meet at the Emirates
The weekend’s final WSL fixture sees Arsenal welcome Manchester United at 5:30pm.
Arsenal are 4/11 favourites, with United 6/1 and the draw 17/5.
Arsenal have made a frustrating start after being held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace last weekend, despite dominating possession and creating chances. United, meanwhile, were beaten 5-0 by Chelsea and will be looking to respond immediately.
The prices point towards an Arsenal victory, but United’s 6/1 quote looks big and could offer some value.
The predictions
The weekend’s four fixtures contain some strong favourites, with Manchester City, London City Lionesses, Chelsea and Arsenal all priced shorter than their opponents.
City face the toughest assignment of the four against an unbeaten Liverpool side, while Chelsea have the clearest opportunity on paper after their emphatic win last weekend.
Our Take:
- Manchester City to beat Liverpool
- London City Lionesses to beat Charlton
- Chelsea to beat Birmingham
- Manchester United to beart Arsenal
*Prices accurate at time of writing – odds subject to change*
