A heady battle for Women’s Super League promotion is in full swing as the Women’s Championship returns this weekend for its third to last round of fixtures.
The lone ticket to the English women’s football promised land next season threatened to be booked some weeks ago by Bristol City, who currently sit top of the table three points clear of rivals London City and seven points clear of Birmingham City, albeit having played a game more.
But with top-flight fate firmly in the Robins' hands in March, uncharacteristic stumbles from Lauren Smith’s side in their last five fixtures saw them suffer two losses in their three matches, including to rivals London City.
The lapses cranked up the pressure in an already exacting season as London City failed to capitalise on their rival's gaffes as they too dropped six points before the international break.
Nevertheless, a daunting final run against two of the top four teams in the league awaits Bristol City, while London City boast an auspicious run of fixtures against three of the bottom four teams, including relegation-bound Coventry City.
Securing promotion will demand flawless performances from both sides, particularly with Birmingham City returning to fine form in the season's final furlong.
Of the top three sides in the league, only Birmingham City have managed to emerge without incurring a loss in their last five matches. Victory this weekend over mid-table Crystal Palace could see them poised nicely for a season finale against the Robins.
Below, the Mirror looks at the big three matches of the Women’s Championship weekend.
Sunderland v Bristol City
Bristol City still levy full control over their promotion fate, and a match-up against Sunderland, who sit third from the bottom in the league table, presents a favourable opportunity to return to their former blistering ways following the international break.
A surprise loss to Sheffield United, consigning Smith’s side to their second loss in three matches after keeling over to London City, was not the way Smith envisaged her side cresting into the final three matches of the season. Courtney Sweetman-Kirk’s first-half free-kick eventually proved insurmountable after City’s Vicky Bruce saw red shortly after the interval.
A return to form is critical if City are to finish on the right side of the promotion battle, but Sunderland will not acquiesce to a bounce back easily. Their three-match unbeaten run, the team’s longest of the season, came to a stuttering halt just before the international break as Crystal Palace’s late winner nine minutes from time saw them slip to tenth in the league table, pipped by United.
A solitary Shaina Hayles’ goal was the difference maker between the two sides earlier in the season as City took all three points.
Southampton v London City
Southampton sit 12 points off London City in the table, but are in need of a win to staunch a dire league winless run of five matches.
For London City, the streak makes for good reading as they look to keep mounting heat onto City just three points ahead of them in the table after seizing a salient 2-0 win over Bristol City earlier this month.
Both Birmingham City and Bristol City emerged victorious over Southampton of late, but the Sirens kept the Bees to a draw earlier this season and will be hoping to emulate a similar result this time around.
Southampton represents London City’s toughest opponent for the season’s remainder.
Crystal Palace v Birmingham City
It’s familiar faces at Hayes Lane this weekend as Crystal Palace host Birmingham City just three weeks after falling to a 3-1 loss to the Midlands side. Olivia McLoughlin’s opener was augmented by a brace from Jade Pennock before the hour mark, and while Rianna Dean pulled one back for the visitors, momentum remained heavily with the hosts.
Birmingham City are relishing a five-match unbeaten run and the women's neutral can be grateful for the Midlands side for teeing up an even more exhilarating battle for promotion to the WSL.
Still, the ability to extend those positive exploits will be put to the test against Crystal Palace, who sit fifth in the table and have won their last two matches on the bounce and will be keen on redeeming their earlier loss.
Victory on Sunday is imperative for Birmingham City if they hope to remain in the promotion mix alongside London City and Bristol City, the former against whom Birmingham City face on the final day of the season.
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