It’s disappointing that there aren’t more online bookmakers offering odds on the outright winner of the upcoming FA WSL season but maybe interest will grow when the competitions gets underway.
To the rescue, however, ride William Hill.
Women’s football in the UK has never had a higher profile. Much of the interest is down to the success of the England national team on the European and world stage but Scotland did also qualify for this years’s World Cup. Many of England’s players play their club football overseas nowadays but there is still a core in the WSL.
Unfortunately, popularity has come at a price and it is largely clubs affiliated to the top Premier League sides who now compete at the highest level of the club game in England. Money, as in every aspect of life, has spoken and the WSL’s players are all now full-time professionals so it will be up to the likes of Birmingham, Reading and Bristol City Women to give hope to the hundreds of teams across the country who want to feast at the top table.
For the first time this season, there are 12 teams in the top flight. Every match will be made available for live streaming and there will also be coverage on other media platforms.
Goal threat may be key
Past analysis that the title winners will probably have to drop no more than 14 points out of a possible 66 but that should be easily achievable by the top sides. The teams who score the most goals usually win the WSL, though Manchester City only finished as runner’s-up in 2018. Arsenal are the most successful side in the modern history of women’s football and the defending champions.
FA WSL Roll of Honour
| Year | Winner | Runners-up | Third | Top scorers | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Arsenal | Birmingham City | Everton | Rachel Williams (Birmingham City) | 14 |
| 2012 | Arsenal | Birmingham City | Everton | Kim Little (Arsenal) | 11 |
| 2013 | Liverpool | Bristol Academy | Arsenal | Natasha Dowie (Liverpool) | 13 |
| 2014 | Liverpool | Chelsea | Birmingham City | Karen Carney (Birmingham) | 8 |
| 2015 | Chelsea | Manchester City | Arsenal | Beth Mead (Sunderland) | 12 |
| 2016 | Manchester City | Chelsea | Arsenal | Eniola Aluko (Chelsea) | 9 |
| 2017–18 | Chelsea | Manchester City | Arsenal | Ellen White (Birmingham City) | 15 |
| 2018–19 | Arsenal | Manchester City | Chelsea | Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal) | 22 |
ARSENAL won the league last year by seven points. They have an almost identical squad to last season with Dominique Bloodworth the only significant departure. All of the other teams are going to have to up their game to prevent the title returning to Meadow Park. The Gunners are 6/4 with William Hill.
MANCHESTER CITY have signed Ellen White, who scored six goals at the World Cup, over the summer but have lost England team-mate Nikita Parris to Lyons. City look the biggest danger to Arsenal Ladies and are priced up at 11/4.
CHELSEA missed out on qualification for the Champions League but that could be a blessing in disguise as it means they will play fewer matches than their likely market rivals. Fran Kirby will again be a big player for Emma Hayes’ side as they look to regain their crown. They’ve finished in the top three in each of the last five seasons are 4/1 for the title this term.
MANCHESTER UNITED were the only full-time team in the Championship last season and it showed. This is their inaugural season in the WSL having only been founded last year. Fast tracked, this will be a big test for the team (6/1) based at Leigh Sports Village, especially without last season’s club captain Alex Greenwood.
Realistically, the other teams are probably just competing to stay in sight of the big four. It should be more competitive than last season, with United and TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR replacing relegated Yeovil Town, with the betting suggesting BRISTOL CITY, EVERTON and BRIGHTON LADIES will be the sides at most risk of relegation.
