With February’s international break coming to an end, the Women’s Super League makes a return with some key matches that could set up crucial battles at both ends of the table.
Gameweek 15 kicks off with title contenders Manchester City hosting a struggling Everton side on Saturday at the Joie Stadium.
A North London Derby opens a jam-packed Sunday with Arsenal selling out the Emirates on back-to-back occasions as they look for revenge against rivals Spurs, following their disappointing 1-0 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier this season.
Bristol City host Brighton and Hove Albion at Ashton Gate whilst an out of form Manchester United travel to face West Ham United.
Aston Villa face a visit from a much-improved Liverpool side before Emma Hayes’ Chelsea continue their title defence with a trip to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City.
The season is set to heat up at both ends of the table, with five key players tipped to have a major impact on the outcome of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
Khiara Keating – Manchester City vs Everton
Gareth Taylor has provided youngster Khiara Keating the number one spot this season and the goalkeeper has certainly made that position her own. Keating currently holds the highest number of clean sheets in the league, recording seven in 14 games with an impressive save percentage of 83.3%, the standout keeper once again.
With Everton currently scoring the lowest number of goals, with just 12, it will have to take something spectacular to get past the most in-form keeper who concedes just 0.6 goals per 90: the lowest of any keeper.
Taylor’s side last conceded a goal back in January against Liverpool but since then, the Blues are yet to concede despite facing top scorers Chelsea, with the 19-year-old goalkeeper producing six key saves in their crucial match against the league-leaders.
Keating’s shot stopping ability had been questioned early on in her career but this season the 19-year-old has proven her doubters wrong recording 2.9 key saves per 90 and having the league’s best xG to goal ratio. City’s xG against is 8.34 however with Keating’s introduction, City have conceded just six.
Last time the two sides came face-to-face, City came out 4-1 winners, but the clean sheet evaded them as it took a 25-yard unstoppable effort from Aurora Galli to get past Keating despite the youngster producing three key stops.
With the Blues’ new number one in great form, Taylor’s side will be looking to keep their first clean sheet against the Toffees since March 2022, as they continue to push towards their first title since 2016.
Niamh Charles – Leicester City vs Chelsea
The definition of underrated? Chelsea’s Niamh Charles. The stand-in captain has excelled this season, improving both her defensive and attacking output. Charles has often found herself pushing higher up the pitch, recording the second highest number of assists – 4.
With her opponents Leicester City showing vulnerability at the back, the 24-year-old will surely be given the freedom to drive up the field, overlapping with teammate Guro Reiten. Despite Chelsea’s attacking threat of Mayra Ramirez, Reiten and Fran Kirby, it’s Charles who Willie Kirk’s side should be cautious of.
Photos via Chelsea FC YouTube - Niamh Charles assist vs Brighton and Hove Albion
The left back produces 2.77 shot creations per 90 with 6.54 progressive passes per 90. Charles has also been unstoppable in those phases, successfully completing the second highest take-on rate of 66.7%, only beaten by Spurs’ Grace Clinton. The England international will look to push up and exploit the left wing as she has done all season, recording 51 progressive carries - only Chloe Kelly and Geyse have completed more.
Last time the two sides faced each other, Emma Hayes’ Blues came out 4-2 winners with Charles proving crucial once again, winning 100% of her tackles and provided three vital interceptions.
Victoria Pelova - Arsenal vs Spurs
Heading into the international break, Arsenal’s Victoria Pelova had found her best form in a Gunners’ shirt. The young midfielder currently sits at the top of the assists table with 5 despite playing in a slightly deeper role, whilst also netting 1 goal for herself. Pelova’s newly found form has seen become un-droppable in Jonas Eidevall’s side, topping the charts as she records 14 carries per 90 minutes.
Undoubtably, Pelova’s creative spark has started off many attacks for the Gunners this season, with the Netherlands’ international producing 3.68 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, also recording the most xAG of 0.411 per 90 minutes.
Despite not featuring for the Netherlands’ clash against Germany, Arsenal manager Eidevall provided a positive update on the midfielder, suggesting she will be in line to start against Spurs on Sunday. This will come as great news for the Reds’ fans due to Pelova’s ability to drive forward, exploiting Spurs’ vulnerability in the midfield.
Last season, Pelova was instrumental in their 5-1 win over Spurs, providing two assists as well as recording a 93% accurate passing rate in her first NLD.
Elisabeth Terland - Bristol City vs Brighton
Striker Elisabeth Terland has undoubtably found her form this season, helping her side project up the table. The Norwegian only netted seven league goals last year but has already beaten that tally this season, scoring 9 in 14, averaging a goal every 122 minutes.
The 22-year-old has certainly improved her finishing, outperforming her xG of 5.9 by 3.1 goals. The Seagulls struggled with creativity last season, so Terland has at times found herself playing in a deeper role, producing 226 forward carries so far this season.
Terland’s goalscoring form has seen her shoot up the charts, with the Brighton striker scoring 0.74 goals per 90 – only Khadija Shaw and Lauren James have a greater ratio. Despite not scoring in her previous three club appearances, Terland comes into the game off the back of a successful international break where she scored the opening goal against Croatia, in their 5-0 win.
The Norwegian goal scorer enjoyed her last outing against Bristol City where her 95th minute winner secured a vital three points against Lauren Smith’s side.
It was Terland who opened the scoring before later providing an assist to Katie Robinson who netted the second. Bristol looked to grab a crucial point, but the 22-year-old wrapped up all three points for Brighton after netting an unstoppable finish. The Robins will have another tough test on their hands with Terland finding form once again.
Khadija Shaw - Manchester City vs Everton
There seems to be no ceiling for Khadija Shaw. Season upon season the prolific striker always goes one better and reaches yet another level of brilliance. Already, the forward has 14 goals and 3 assists in 14 games, netting three hattricks along the way: one being against this weekend’s opponent, Everton. Arguably the most inform player in the league, Shaw has converted 8 goals and provided 1 assist in her previous five consecutive games.
The golden boot leader currently records a goal every 70 minutes with 1.28 goals per 90 ratio. City’s striker is not only a goal machine, she possesses the ability to drop deeper before driving forward, averaging 2.04 successful take-ons per 90.
Her ability to drive into those forward spaces have greatly benefited City since her arrival with the number 21 supplying her side with 4.97 shot creating actions per 90.
When Shaw shoots, she pretty much always scores, recording 1 goal every 4 shots per 90 – the best ratio in the league. With a stunning goalscoring record, Shaw’s versatility in front of goal poses the best in the league with the Jamaican international netting 6 with her head, 3 left footed and 5 right footed.
The Blues’ number 21 will certainly haunt visitors Everton with Shaw scoring a hattrick in their 4-1 win earlier this season and has a total of 8 goals against the Toffees since joining Taylor’s side in 2021.
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