WSL final run-in: who will reach Europe? | OneFootball

With the final international break before the climax of the WSL season, it's time to look at that final four game run in with the race for European spots hotting up.

At the top and bottom of the table, it's hard to imagine any change. Chelsea look set to win the league once again while Crystal Palace are likely to drop straight back down to the Championship.

Where it really gets interesting is the three team battle for Champions League spots with Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City vying for contention.

While a brief glance at the table would make it seem like City have little chance of making up the points – a look at the final fixtures could tell a different tale.

Arsenal's run in

We'll start with the Gunners in second place who need five points from the follow fixtures to ensure a Champions League spot:

April 15th: Leicester City (H) April 30th: Aston Villa (A) May 4th: Brighton (A) May 10th: Man Utd (H)

In theory, Renée Slegers' side should be able to pick up all the points they need before that game against United in the final round of the WSL season. Right now their opponents are placed 10th, 11th, 5th, and 3rd in the league.

However, Arsenal have the distraction of the Champions League following their remarkable 3-0 win at home to Real Madrid (sounds familiar!) that could divert attention. The North London outfit face a semi-final double header with French side Olympique Lyonnais who are always so difficult to play in this competition.

Could those games cause Arsenal to take their eye off the ball?

Man Utd's run-in

On paper, second place Manchester United have by far the most difficult run-in to the end of the season – something that may leave Marc Skinner's side rueing their surprise defeat to Liverpool back in March:

April 19th: West Ham (A) April 30th: Chelsea (H) May 4th: Man City (H) May 10th: Arsenal (A)

That means that United will face teams currently placed 7th, 1st, 4th, and 2nd before the season is over, while also needing five points to ensure a Champions League spot, barring a massive goal difference turn over.

The hope will be that Chelsea may be there for the taking if they are distracted by their Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona just before the two meet at Leigh Sports Village. Since the Blues' almost have the league wrapped up, it could be a good time to face an otherwise usually imperious side.

But United have their own distraction and that's a semi-final against crosstown rivals City on April 13th...

Man City's run-in

We already mentioned that FA Cup semi-final with Man Utd so lets take a look at that league run-in until the end of the campaign:

April 20th: Everton (H) April 27th: Leicester City (A) May 4th: Man Utd (A) May 10th: Crystal Palace (H)

Of course, with City only on 35 points compared to Arsenal and United's 42 gives them a big disadvantage but this is exactly why Nick Cushing has been brought in to do.

The Citizen's European fortunes likely hinge on that May 4th clash at Old Trafford, with City hoping the force will be with them on that day. While Everton have improved in the second half of the season, the other three games shouldn't prove to be too much of an obstacle.

Assuming United beat West Ham but lose to City, Skinner's side would need two points from games against Chelsea and Arsenal – two games they could end up getting nothing out of.

The cliche is that these are four cup finals... and even City also beat their neighbours in the FA Cup semi-final then it could well be a run of five cup finals that could then potentially end in silverware and a European spot.