The Women's Super League (WSL) season is almost upon us, but what are the big questions and predictions you need to know? Can Chelsea continue their dominance of the league now that Emma Hayes has moved on to coach the United States team, or will Manchester City and Arsenal manage to close the gap? Which teams are in danger of the drop?
Chelsea face Aston Villa on Friday (7 p.m. BST; 2 p.m. ET) to kick off the 2024-25 campaign, and then Arsenal face Man City (12.30 p.m. BST; 7.30 a.m. ET) in a blockbuster fixture on Sunday.
Here's what our experts think.
Can anyone stop Chelsea winning another title?
Sophie Lawson: The defending champions will be favourites given they have won five titles on the bounce (and seven of the last 10) and it's hard to ignore the sheer talent in the squad. That said, we're yet to see how the team fare in competitive games under new manager Sonia Bompastor. Throw in questions around the base of Chelsea's midfield and the lack of WSL experience in their crop of talented youngsters and this season feels more foundational for them. After moving on from Hayes, this season could be about Bompastor bedding in and giving the side a grace period to make and learn from their mistakes.
Emily Keogh: With the seismic shifts at Chelsea and several WSL clubs over the summer, predicting the final standings feels like a shot in the dark. Under Bompastor's leadership, the integration of young talent alongside seasoned veterans is set to deepen Chelsea's squad and enhance their performance. But although her illustrious history as Lyon coach sets high expectations, she deserves the same time as Hayes received to mould Chelsea into a formidable force.
However, Manchester City are closing in on their first title since 2016, and their excellent transfer window promises to set up a fierce race for glory.
Who will finish in the top four?
Lawson: Traditionally, it has been Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Man United, but we saw the Red Devils fall off the pace last season as Liverpool romped into fourth.
The top three probably will be Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal in some order, and whoever can find consistency will take fourth. For me, it's not cut and dried that United will be that team to rejoin the quartet, though Liverpool could struggle with the extra expectation now placed upon them, as many WSL teams have had a strong transfer window. It's not so hard to imagine the likes of Leicester City or Everton going on a strong run. And of course, there's last season's sixth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who could step up.
Keogh: Given the dynamic recruitment and historical prowess of Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal, they are likely to secure three of the top four spots. But that leaves one place up for grabs.
Liverpool might struggle to build on last season's success, with manager Matt Beard acknowledging they overachieved, and therefore Man United have a chance to reclaim their top-four place. But Aston Villa, with their impressive preseason form and significant signings, could be ones to watch. The new-manager bounce at Villa could see Robert de Pauw propel them upward and mirror the success of the men's team last season.
Who will be the WSL's MVP?
Lawson: Yui Hasegawa. Manchester City are my shout for champions and while it's all about the virtuosity of that attack -- and we can sit here for hours firing off superlatives for Bunny Shaw, Vivianne Miedema and Lauren Hemp -- Hasegawa is every single vertebrae that makes up the City spine.
Keogh: As noted by Soph, Hasegawa will be pivotal for City and is finally gaining recognition for her talent. Arsenal's new recruit, Mariona Caldentey, is already transforming the team, while Chelsea's Sjoeke Nüsken has earned a Ballon d'Or nomination for her versatility and clinical ability. Nüsken could be the X-factor in Chelsea's quest for an eighth title if she continues her impressive form. But my vote is also for Hasegawa.
Who are the young players to watch?
Lawson: There are plenty of young players to keep an eye on this season, including those new to the league -- a lot of whom I've already highlighted in my 10 players to watch. But I'm most excited about Wieke Kaptein, who has shown some early maturity and poise in the Chelsea midfield.
Spurs' new 21-year-old right-back Ella Morris, signed from Southampton, has good potential, as does Crystal Palace's teenage attacker Abbie Larkin, though she is more likely to have an impact off the bench.
Lastly, Liverpool might not have done much in the way of transfer business this summer, but securing Olivia Smith will go down as a shrewd deal as the 20-year-old Canada attacker had impressed in her first professional season at Sporting CP.
Keogh: Smith and Morris are strong picks, but Kaptein's arrival at Chelsea is particularly exciting. Having already embedded into Netherlands' national team, there is a fearlessness to her style of play. Despite being 20 years old, she can hold her own in midfield and showcased her ability during some impressive preseason performances.
I've also got to give a nod to Chelsea's Maika Hamano, who has taken to the WSL like a duck to water. Bompastor's track record with Lyon's academy and her passion for nurturing young talent means her players are in the perfect environment to showcase their skills alongside seasoned internationals. The Blues' pair are poised to make a significant impact.
Which manager will make the most impact?
Lawson: Of the 12 WSL managers, five will be coming into the league for the first time this season and four of those are new to their respective clubs, so it's about who can hit the ground running fastest. Having consistently impressed during her time with Stade de Reims, Amandine Miquel (and her assistant Amaury Messuwe) could easily go down as the managerial signing of the summer. I'm really excited to see how Leicester do under her guidance.
Keogh: Laura Kaminski's promotion with Palace was impressive, and her challenge now is to keep the team in the WSL. With a solid summer transfer window, her squad looks promising. The disparity between newly promoted teams and established top-tier sides is always significant, but with all WSL teams now backed by men's Premier League clubs, it's an opportune moment for Palace to assert themselves and a strong start is crucial.
It would be remarkable if Kaminski were able to maintain the club's top-flight status and avoid the promotion/relegation yoyo. She's also one of only two English female managers in the WSL, so her success is key to inspiring the next generation.
Predictions (Winners, top four, relegation, top scorer)
Lawson: Collectively, the top three is a bit predictable, but I think Manchester City will claim their first title since 2016. City's team is just too good, and I've got Arsenal second, Chelsea third, and Spurs slotting into fourth.
At the other end of the table, I'm worried about Palace and West Ham for relegation. Both teams have made some astute signings, but there's not much in the way of a safety net in the league and if one team hits a bad patch then it could be a long and frustrating season.
For the WSL top goal scorer, it could be the same as last year -- Bunny Shaw. Even though Man City have plenty of players who can find the back of the net, with Shaw as the focal point there's a natural proclivity for the team to funnel balls into the box for the Jamaica international. I'm expecting a similar goal return (21 from 18 games) for her.
Keogh: While I hesitate to mirror last season's top four exactly, the shape of the standings will probably be similar. I think the title race will go down to the wire and will possibly depend on goal difference again. But this time Manchester City have all the tools and talent at their disposal -- especially after adding a goal-scoring talent such as Miedema -- to win their first WSL title since 2016, so I'm going to pick them.
As for second, Arsenal and Chelsea are likely to battle it out, though Arsenal's track record of inconsistent results against lower-table teams makes me think they will finish in third for a third season running. I think Aston Villa and Man United will be fighting for the fourth spot, with Liverpool close behind.
In terms of relegation, Kaminski's role at Palace is thrilling but challenging, as transitioning from the Championship to the WSL is notoriously tough. But West Ham's young and inexperienced squad might make them vulnerable, potentially allowing Palace to leapfrog them into a safer position.
As for the Golden Boot, though Shaw is a strong contender, I'm backing Elisabeth Terland. The Norway striker's move from Brighton & Hove Albion to Man United and her knack for conjuring goals out of thin air could see her surpass Shaw. With the impressive Grace Clinton providing the service, Terland is well positioned to top the goal-scoring charts after bagging 13 goals in 22 games last season.