The Ladies’s Tremendous League (WSL) is again after worldwide break and most groups have performed six video games already. However what have we discovered from these video games, and what do the stats inform us may be a problem for groups within the subsequent few months?
Arsenal danger dropping additional down the desk
Arsenal received the UEFA Ladies’s Champions League (UWCL) final season however did not come near stopping Chelsea within the WSL, and would dearly like to win their first home title since 2019. However, at current, they’re fifth (W3, D2, L1) — 5 factors adrift of leaders Chelsea — and have already dropped seven factors of their six video games, yet another than unbeaten Chelsea did all through everything of final season.
Beth Mead leads the best way in assists (3), whereas Mariona Caldentey tops the charts for shot-creating actions (31) and probabilities created (17), however it’s Stina Blackstenius who averages probably the most targets+assists per 90 minutes with 1.57, regardless of the actual fact she has solely managed 170 minutes. Certainly, the group’s total goal-scoring output has been underwhelming in comparison with final season, after they managed to attain 4+ targets in eight consecutive house matches. The attacking aptitude and ruthlessness that after outlined them have been noticeably absent to date this marketing campaign.
Striker Alessia Russo’s performances up entrance have additionally highlighted a part of the issue. Because the graphic above reveals, Russo [No. 23, obscured by No. 12] tends to drop deeper, and although she ranks eighth within the league for whole photographs (16) she fails to seem within the high 10 for photographs on the right track (5), underlining the group’s inefficiency in entrance of purpose. And that lack of medical ending has value them worthwhile factors to date.
A few of these points in assault may be much less damaging if Arsenal’s defensive construction was stronger. Nevertheless, they’re presently lacking key middle again Leah Williamson, whose composure, management, and skill to distribute lengthy balls excessive have been sorely missed. The Gunners have made the second-least quantity of tackles (88), only one greater than Liverpool who’ve performed one recreation much less, with the bottom success charge (38.9%), and the least clearances (63).
With £1 million summer season arrival Olivia Smith probably absent for a time frame following an damage picked up on worldwide obligation with Canada and goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar withdrawing from Netherlands’ camp, issues might go from dangerous to worse for Arsenal with two London derbies in opposition to Chelsea and Spurs following their away conflict with Leicester Metropolis. There are simply two factors separating them from just lately promoted London Metropolis in sixth, they usually might discover themselves in mid-table if they do not flip issues round.
Man Metropolis’s lack of Champions League soccer might assist them
Manchester Metropolis’s solely dropped factors this season got here of their opening-day loss to Chelsea, which was additionally new supervisor Andrée Jeglertz’s first recreation in cost. Since then, they’ve been in good type, displaying clear indicators of enchancment and cohesion below new management.
In contrast to final 12 months, they aren’t competing within the UWCL — having misplaced out on third spot within the desk to Manchester United — and this absence might show useful domestically, permitting them to focus absolutely on the league marketing campaign with out the added pressure of midweek fixtures.
Certainly, whereas juggling UWCL commitments and a collection of accidents final season, they went W13, D4, L5 to complete fourth. The 12 months earlier than that — after they weren’t concerned within the Champions League — their home report was far stronger: W18, D1, L3, they usually completed degree on factors on the high with Chelsea, however narrowly lacking out on the title as a consequence of inferior purpose distinction.
This season, Metropolis look like returning to that degree of consistency; with 5 wins from six video games, they sit only one level behind the reigning six-time champions. Their Anticipated Targets (xG) tally is 15.58, the best within the league, they usually have additionally scored probably the most targets (17).
And, with the Manchester derby arising, Metropolis will look to capitalize on United having their consideration drawn away by two high-stakes UWCL clashes in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain and VfL Wolfsburg. It is a promising begin that implies they may as soon as once more be critical title contenders.
Spurs impress in protection after quick begin
Tottenham Hotspur are already only one win away from matching their whole variety of victories from final season (5), having secured 4 wins of their opening six video games. It has been a robust begin that highlights clear progress and enchancment throughout the pitch below new supervisor Martin Ho.
Final season, below Robert Vilahamn, they completed eleventh after a troublesome marketing campaign through which they conceded 44 targets, the second-highest whole behind relegated Crystal Palace. Offensively, they managed solely 26 targets, and their report of W5, D5, L12 mirrored a facet struggling for each consistency and steadiness.
This season, nonetheless, the turnaround has been spectacular. Regardless of permitting the best variety of photographs (94), Spurs have conceded simply seven targets and their defensive self-discipline has been a key issue of their stand up the desk. Defender Clare Hunt has been a standout performer on the again, presently main the WSL in each blocks (16) and clearances (41); whereas goalkeeper Lize Kop has additionally been distinctive, holding three clear sheets — a tally that places her joint high alongside Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Hannah Hampton.
Tellingly, Kop has solely needed to make 11 saves from these 94 photographs, which reveals how a much-improved defensive unit has laid the muse for the group’s early success.
Brighton’s assault will endure after Agyemang’s damage
Michelle Agyemang’s ACL damage is a significant blow to Brighton & Hove Albion’s attacking ambitions and shedding such an influential attacking presence will critically hinder their progress going ahead.
Brighton’s attacking output so far has been underwhelming, with solely six targets scored in six video games. Whereas the group have proven composure and management in possession, a lot of this play has been confined to their very own half (as proven by their heatmap). This means a robust deal with defensive construction and self-discipline, however it has come at the price of creativity and attacking menace.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has saved two clear sheets and boasts a formidable 85.7% save proportion. However, having made 24 saves from 32 photographs on the right track, she is the third-most examined goalkeeper within the competitors to date, going through a complete of 80 photographs, and with out her reliability between the posts the group can be additional down than seventh.
To launch the stress on the again, Brighton urgently want extra creativeness and sharpness within the last third if they’re to start out turning possession into real scoring alternatives, although Agyemang’s absence will solely make that job tougher.
With their attacking depth now stretched skinny, the stress shall be on the remaining forwards to step up. Kiko Seike has proven glimpses of consistency as a purpose scorer, however few others have confirmed themselves able to delivering recurrently.
Level-less West Ham and Liverpool in bother
West Ham United boss Rehanne Skinner is presently on a run of eight straight losses — a worrying pattern provided that she was beforehand sacked by Spurs after struggling 9 consecutive defeats — and her place might quickly develop into untenable if outcomes do not enhance rapidly. In the meantime, Liverpool’s Gareth Taylor has additionally struggled, shedding all 5 of his video games to date, having solely joined the membership over the summer season.
Each managers discover themselves in troublesome conditions and, in some methods, their shared struggles might supply a small sense of solidarity as they attempt to regular their respective groups. Each groups have solely scored two targets every, however West Ham’s 17 conceded has positioned them within the hazard zone because of a minus-15 purpose distinction, they usually have allowed a league-high 2.8 targets per recreation and have additionally made probably the most tackles (143).
Liverpool have solely performed 5 video games, to West Ham’s six, however their state of affairs has been made worse by ACL accidents to 2 of their star forwards, Marie Hobinger and Sophie Román Haug, which has considerably weakened their attacking choices and makes their upcoming fixtures in opposition to Spurs, Brighton, and Chelsea much more difficult. They presently have the second-worst xG within the league (3.35) and that does not seem like altering quickly.
Taylor will doubtless get a while, given he was solely employed in the summertime. However for Skinner, the following few video games could possibly be decisive. If her facet fail to choose up factors in opposition to Manchester Metropolis — which appears to be like unlikely — or Leicester or Everton, she might face dismissal by the following worldwide break.