Team news and stats for the final round of the Women's Super League; Arsenal could snatch the title with a draw against West Ham if Chelsea were to lose at home to Manchester United, live on Sky Sports Football from 11am on Sunday; Kick-off 12pm
Sunday 8 May 2022 10:44, UK
Team news and stats for the final round of the Women's Super League, including title-chasers Chelsea against Manchester United, live on Sky Sports. Arsenal can also win the WSL on Sunday at West Ham if they better Chelsea's result.
Emma Hayes believes she was "born to win on behalf of Chelsea" with the Blues able to secure a fifth WSL title against Manchester United, live on Sky Sports Football.
Chelsea lead Arsenal, who travel to West Ham, by a point heading into the final round of fixtures on Sunday knowing a draw or even defeat would be enough to clinch a third consecutive title should the Gunners fail to win.
But Hayes has stressed the pressure is off in their quest to finish the job themselves by beating Man Utd for the club's 11th major trophy during her reign.
"I'm from a council estate, pressure was putting money on the table to pay the bills as a child, this is not pressure," said Hayes in her pre-match press conference.
"Look at the inflation, the rising costs for people to pay their bills. Football is far from pressure, this is a joy. I love my job. I enjoy the situation but more importantly I enjoy representing a club I absolutely adore.
"To be in a position where we can continue to win on behalf of Chelsea is something I think I was born for. There's no pressure to the situation, there is just maybe a wiser, older coach that is enjoying it a little more perhaps than in the past.
"We take everything in small, daily chunks to build towards a game and I don't think this game has any different impact on us to the week before or the week prior to that because we've had to win every game.
"It's easy for us in our mindset to know we have to do that but you have to build towards it. You have to train properly, recover properly, prepare your mindset and all of that energy to be spent on game day. I think our squad do really well in managing that."
Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall, who signed a new contract to keep him at Arsenal until the end of the 2023-24 season, is only focusing on what his side will do.
He said: "I feel the players are very focused on how we are playing and they have been that all the way since the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Our focus is on us to perform against West Ham and that's the only thing we can control.
"We know there are some scenarios that could be of interest to us knowing the result then we'll make sure the information gets to us on the bench."
Eidevall also admitted he will be a Man Utd fan for the day. "I really hope Man Utd can win, I would be lying saying anything else," he said. "I really hope Man Utd can finish off in the style their season deserves. I think they've been a really top team and proved difficult to many teams, I hope they can prove that one final time this season.
"It's always the problem in football that if we win against West Ham and never found out the result in the Chelsea game, how would we value the season? Would it be a success or failure?
"Whatever happens in the Chelsea match it doesn't change how we have played this year. The only thing that changes it is what we do against West Ham.
"West Ham will be a tough opponent. They will press us high, give us little time on the ball and we need to be mentally ready for that."
Even the best players in the world get nervous for big games, as Chelsea's Sam Kerr admits she is feeling slightly tense about this weekend's WSL final day title showdown.
"I think it's a bit of both [nervous and exciting]," she exclusively told Sky Sports after collecting her Football Writers' Association trophy. "I've been nervous all week before I care so much and want to win so much. We're Chelsea - we wouldn't have it any other way.
"I'd much rather be in our position than anyone else's with it being in our hands. And at the same time, this was the same title race last year with Man City, we're used to this so this is not new and we're going to enjoy it."
Even though this weekend is very different to all the other matchdays, Kerr - who has 23 goals in 25 games this season - will still rely on her usual matchday routine to get here through.
"I'm very superstitious!' the 28-year-old adds. "I normally don't come to an awards night on the Thursday [before a game]!
"I just like to have the same meal the night before, spaghetti bolognese, and in the morning lots of coffee. And then just relax, chill. I've been wearing the same boots that are just well past their wear and people have been saying my boots are dirty! But we're winning so there's no way I'm throwing those boots out.
"I have a pair of socks that are my lucky socks but they broke but I've still been carrying them around in my bag - just weird stuff that footballers do."
Leah Williamson insists she does not want to be kept updated with the Chelsea score during Arsenal's Women's Super League clash at West Ham as the title race reaches a crescendo on Sunday.
With drama likely across the capital, fans at both games will be expectedly checking their phones and listening out for updates from the matches involving their title rivals.
But Williamson has no interest in what Emma Hayes' side produce at Kingsmeadow, with the England captain focused solely on carrying out the job at hand.
Asked if she wants to be kept abreast of the Chelsea game, she replied: "No, it doesn't change anything. We have to win, we have to win our game. Same as we have the last two.
"I don't really like getting involved in it personally anyway, but if it changed and we have to get goals then that's different, but we just need to win that game of football.
"We as a team haven't spoken about it a lot. I know obviously everybody's talking about the title race, but it's not really something that we talk about.
"I turn my phone on at the end of the games to see what happens and obviously you're hoping for a result but, call it superstition, I just wouldn't get involved.
"If it mattered what we did it would be different, but we have to win our games and I hope the rest of the girls are on the same wavelength and I know they will be because there's another three points, that's what we need."
All Women's Super League final day kick-offs begin at 12pm.
Aston Villa could be without a whole host of stars for this derby, with Remi Allen and Anna Patten confirmed to be missing this Sunday. Ruesha Littlejohn, Jill Scott and Chloe Arthur are all major doubts as well.
This will also be Anita Asante's final match in professional football before retiring from the game in the summer.
Birmingham could welcome back Lucy Quinn into the starting line-up, with Lucy Whipp and Cecile Sandvej also pushing for a starting spot.
Team news: Brighton have no injury concerns going into the final WSL game of the season, meaning Fliss Gibbons will continue her step up from injury after appearing against Manchester City last time out.
For Everton, Danielle Turner could get a final day start after scoring against Tottenham last week. Kenza Dali and Claire Emslie are also pushing for Toffees starts this Sunday.
Team news: Reading will be without Emma Harries who picked up a serious knee injury while on international duty in April. Meanwhile, Tash Harding is expected to feature having announced she will be leaving the Royals at the end of the season.
Manchester City have Steph Houghton and Esme Morgan sidelined until the summer but Vicky Losada and Jess Park, who missed out last time to Birmingham, could return to the fold in time for the season finale.
Sky Sports - All 35 games will be available across Sky Sports' flagship channels, including Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
Sky Sports digital - Follow all the latest from the WSL across skysports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage and in-game clips from games live on Sky Sports. You can watch free match highlights from every WSL game this season on Sky Sports' digital platforms and YouTube channel.
Sky Sports News - Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week Barclays FA WSL fans can enjoy Sky Sports News (channel 409) rolling editorial coverage of the league and its storylines throughout the season.
Inside the WSL - Hosted by award-winning broadcaster and journalist Jessica Creighton, Inside the WSL is a comprehensive round-up of all things Barclays FA Women's Super League and women's football. Airing weekly from Thursday, September 9 on Sky Sports Premier League, the half an hour show will review and preview matches, include in-depth analysis and exclusive player interviews. Viewers can expect gripping behind-the-scenes access as well as a summary of all the action both on and off the pitch.
Sky Sports Social - Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports' main social media channels, a new bespoke Twitter channel @SkySportsWSL will be the home of all Barclays FA WSL content on Sky Sports.
To add all the Barclays FA WSL fixtures to your calendar click here.
