WSL Tips: Back the top two to win and win well in the WSL
The WSL's top two take on relegation battlers this weekend and Tim Stillman is not expecting any surprises, with big wins for Chelsea and Manchester City likely.
"Ellen White missed the opening chunk of the season through injury, but since she returned to the starting line-up, Manchester City have plundered nine goals in two games, while Bristol City, who sit second bottom without a league win this season, were thrashed 7-0 by Arsenal on Thursday."
Bristol City v Manchester City
Sunday November 24, 12.30
Live on BBC Online
With Ellen White fit again, City are among the goals
Manchester City thumped West Ham 5-0 last weekend and beat a resurgent Everton 4-1 in the Conti Cup on Thursday night. Ellen White missed the opening chunk of the season through injury, but since she returned to the starting line-up, City have plundered nine goals in two games, while Bristol City, who sit second bottom without a league win this season, were thrashed 7-0 by Arsenal on Thursday.
Bristol played comparable opponents in Chelsea at home back in September and lost 4-0. Their defence is unlikely to enjoy an afternoon of trying to keep Ellen White, Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and former Vixen Caroline Weir out. Only West Ham have conceded more goals than Bristol City in the WSL this season. Over 3.5 goals is a very decent bet at 11/10
Bristol City are historically welcoming opponents for Manchester City
Nick Cushing's side haven't lost in their last seven matches against The Vixens and average 3.6 goals per game against Sunday's opponent. The form book very much points to more of the same on Sunday lunchtime, with the home side on a winless streak of nine games and counting. City are 1/25 for a reason.
Recommended bet: a href="https://btfr.co/sbkevent/com/football/29592854">Manchester City to win at half-time and full-time
Birmingham City v Chelsea
Sunday November 24, 14:45
Live on BT Sport
Birmingham away is not the tough fixture it used to be
Until this season, Birmingham was the sort of place the top teams dreaded travelling to, with the Bluenoses capable of dishing out their fair share of bloodied noses. However, Birmingham haemorrhaged talent during the summer and sit in 10th place in the WSL with a solitary win earned at home to bottom side Liverpool.
Emma Hayes' Chelsea top the WSL and have won their last eight matches and they thrashed a solid Tottenham side 5-1 on Wednesday evening. Birmingham were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Brighton in their last league outing and the Seagulls are far from the WSL elite. It is difficult to see anything other than a relatively comfortable win for Chelsea in Solihull.
Chelsea have lots of firepower...Birmingham don't
Even with Sam Kerr still to arrive in late December, Chelsea boast the likes of Beth England, Erin Cuthbert, Ramona Bachmann, Ji So Yun and Fran Kirby in advanced positions. That means they have firepower a plenty on the bench should they need it. Since losing Ellen White to Manchester City over the summer, the Blues have struggled in front of goal- they have only scored two WSL goals this season- both scored in that single victory over Liverpool and neither goal came from open play.
Even when Birmingham was considered one of the toughest grounds in the WSL, Chelsea seldom had issues- they are unbeaten in five trips to Birmingham without conceding a goal. It's difficult to see Birmingham keeping Chelsea's star-studded attack at bay and inconceivable that they can muster the attacking effort to trouble them at the other end.
Recommended bet: Over 4.5 goals at 7/1