WSL preview: Chelsea host Arsenal while Manchester United take on Manchester City

It’s a season-defining week at the top of the Women’s Super League as Chelsea take on Arsenal on Friday night, while Manchester City host rivals United on Sunday.

The Gunners are leading the way but the Blues are only two points behind and have a game in hand. United are five points adrift in third and occupy the final Champions League place.

City, meanwhile, are down in sixth and are 10 points behind Arsenal as they continue to play catch up following a poor start.

Both derbies are sold out with a record attendance expected at the Academy Stadium.

Champions Chelsea are in the in-form heading into this weekend, with Emma Hayes’ side unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions.

Arsenal, however, have struggled for consistency since Christmas. Jonas Eidevall’s side suffered a shock defeat against bottom club Birmingham at the start of the year and have only won one of their last four league games.

The Gunners beat Chelsea 3-2 on the opening day of the season but the Blues responded with a 3-0 victory in the FA Cup final in December.

And Sky Sports’ pundit Karen Carney believes Chelsea’s victory at Wembley has been a big factor in Arsenal’s recent slide.

‘In that one week they lost the FA Cup final and they lost to Barcelona. I think that really hit them hard,’ Carney told Sportsmail.

‘Chelsea’s run after the FA Cup final wasn’t particularly great but the last few games they’ve picked up. I do think the FA Cup final is a big factor because Jonas Eidevall said “we’re not going to make the same mistakes again.”

‘I think they’ll set up differently, they’ll have different tactics. I think there will be a psychological battle between both managers from that FA Cup final and I do think that Arsenal will be thinking ‘right, we’ve got a point to prove here.’

United are not out of the title race yet but would need both London clubs to slip up against lower opposition before the end of the season. They are, however, the favourites to finish third. They are five points clear of City and haven’t lost in the WSL since November.

But Carney believes it’s a straight shootout between Arsenal and Chelsea for top spot with the rest battling it out for third.

‘I think Arsenal and Chelsea are going head-to-head for the title and the rest are fighting for that illustrious Champions League spot in third, that’s a really good battle and that’s why it’s been exciting.

‘Chelsea are the in-form team going into this game but I think Arsenal have got the individuals that can do something in a moment and get you back in games or win you games.

‘It will be a really, really interesting battle but I do think Jonas Eidevall will have learned from the FA Cup final and won’t make the same mistakes again.’

A victory for Chelsea would give them a psychological edge in the title race but Hayes believes there will be more twists and turns before the end of the season.

‘Even after this weekend it’s still going to be a title race until the end,’ she said. ‘I think the league will go to the last day.’

Eidevall, who has developed a reputation for his passionate celebrations, says he is confident Arsenal can inflict a first home defeat of the season on their rivals.

‘I’m a believer in us, I can only see us winning, I’m positive,’ he said. ‘We’re going into this with everything to win. We have a plan and I have big belief we can execute it.’

Watch Chelsea Women vs Arsenal Women in the WSL title clash tonight from 7pm on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Premier League.