CELTIC’S thrilling comeback win over Glasgow City in front of a record attendance for a women’s match in Scotland has blown the SWPL title race wide open.
The 3-1 triumph for Fran Alonso’s side in front of a raucous 9,335 strong crowd at Celtic Park on Thursday night saw Glasgow City’s lead at the table reduced to just two points, with both Celtic and defending champions Rangers - separated only by goal difference - now on their coattails with just two matches apiece remaining.
Here is how the title can be won and lost over the next couple of weeks…
This weekend
There is no rest for the contenders as all three are back in action this Sunday. Celtic have a chance to build on the momentum of their win over Glasgow City and pile the pressure on their rivals in the early kick-off against Hibs at the Meadowbank Stadium, a match that will be broadcast on BBC Alba with a 1.10pm start.
The Hibees have had a more than decent campaign, but have fallen out of form of late, losing their last four matches and occupying fifth place in the standings. One of those games was a 3-0 away defeat to Celtic, so Alonso’s team will fancy their chances of going top of the table, even if only temporarily.
Rangers are next up, also travelling east to face Hearts at Oriam at 3pm. The Jambos sit in fourth place and have also had a creditable campaign, but they have tended to struggle of late when coming up against the ‘big three’.
They have lost heavily at home to Rangers, Celtic and Glasgow City this term, and the odds are that Malky Thomson’s side will be coming back across the M8 with a full complement of points in the bag.
Then it is down to Glasgow City to respond not only to those matches, but to their disappointing performance in defeat to Celtic during the week.
Leann Ross’s team have the luxury of a home match against Partick Thistle at Petershill, and are also heavy favourites to win against Brian Graham’s side. The Jags did incredibly well in making the top six, but have found life difficult since the split, losing all but one of their games so far, a draw with Hearts.
They lost heavily twice to Rangers in that run, but they put up a decent fist of it before coming out with a 2-0 defeat when they hosted Glasgow City at the end of April, so Ross will be warning her players that they can’t take anything for granted.
This one gets underway at 4.10pm, and will also be shown on BBC Alba. The smart money is on all three sides at the top of the table going into the last day with it all still to play for.
The Final Round
Tantalisingly, two of the top three face off against one another on the final day, with Rangers hosting Glasgow City at Ibrox. At the same time, Celtic will welcome Hearts to the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.
Assuming all three sides win this weekend, City will be the only side with their destiny entirely in their own hands. Win their game against Rangers, and they will win the title. However, should they lose or even draw their match, then it leaves the door wide open for Celtic, who currently enjoy a nine-goal advantage over Glasgow City should it come down to goal difference.
All Celtic can do then is win against Hearts and hope that Glasgow City slip up, while Rangers need to win against Glasgow City and hope that Hearts can do them a favour against Celtic. A Celtic loss or a draw, and a Rangers win, would allow the champions to retain their title.
There is also the not insignificant matter of Champions League qualification on the line, with the top two qualifying for the competition. Only wins for both Celtic and Rangers would see current leaders Glasgow City drop out of those positions.
Both matches will kick off at 4.10pm, but while BBC Alba are scheduled to show a game on the final day, no decision has yet been made over which one will comprise their main coverage.
