After a summer of comings and goings, the Women’s Super League is back.
With plenty of high-profile new arrivals to the league and big-name transfers between clubs, the upcoming 2024/25 campaign promises to be a hugely exciting affair.
Chelsea lifted the WSL title last year, beating Manchester City to the crown on goal differenceGetty
Defending champions Chelsea are bidding to win a sixth consecutive league title, with Sonia Bompastor now at the helm following the departure of legendary manager Emma Hayes.
This will leave rivals Arsenal and Manchester City quietly confident that this could finally be their year, with both sides strengthening in a busy summer transfer window in the women’s top-flight.
After losing star striker Vivianne Miedema to City, the Gunners have strengthened by recruiting Spanish World Cup winner Mariona Caldentey to bolster their ranks.
Meanwhile, the arrival of Lioness Lucy Bronze at Chelsea means there will be no shortage of huge names gracing the WSL once again.
With the potential for a hotly-contested title race and an exciting new addition to the league in the form of debutantes Crystal Palace, the 2024/25 campaign is sure to entertain.
Ahead of season opener between Chelsea and Aston Villa on Friday, talkSPORT’s Charlotte Richardson, Lianne Sanderson and Uma Gurav have shared their predictions for the new campaign.
Who wins the title?
WSL Reporter Charlotte Richardson – Arsenal
“Arsenal. After suffering with a long injury list last season, I think this could be the campaign where The Gunners end their local rivals reign of glory in the WSL.
“I think it is going to be as exciting and competitive a title race as always. I suspect it will go right down to the final day of the season once more and it will be all about who can hold their nerve and composure.
“Jonas Eidevall has an unbelievable weapon in his arsenal- The Emirates. The club has been smart at building this home for the women’s side. Make it their fortress and that will be the key to becoming champions.
Lianne Sanderson and Uma Gurav – Manchester City
Speaking on talkSPORT’s Women’s Football Show, former Arsenal and Lionesses striker Lianne Sanderson and WSL reporter Uma Gurav were in agreement.
GettyEidevall will be desperate to win the WSL with the Gunners[/caption]
Sanderson said: “I think we both agree on this one.
Gurav then finished off: “Got to be Man City, right? Surely!”
Who finishes in the top three?
Charlotte Richardson
(From first to third)- Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea
Lianne Sanderson
Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal
Uma Gurav
Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea
Who gets relegated?
Charlotte Richardson – Leicester City
Lianne Sanderson – Leicester/ Everton
“I’m going to go with two teams.
“I’m going to go with Leicester. And people might think this is a bit left field, but Everton, I don’t get the feeling that club is progressing. I don’t know.”
Uma Gurav – West Ham
“It’s not nice, and I have a lot of love for this team, but it is West Ham I think I’m going to have to go for.
“Because I do think Palace are not going to be that team that comes straight up and goes straight down, and West Ham struggled last season. If Bristol City hadn’t been there, West Ham would have struggled even more.
“I just don’t think West Ham have made the signings over the summer to boost their squad in the way that some of the other clubs have.
“I want to be wrong, but I don’t want any of them to go down!”
West Ham might not be all-smiles at the end of the seasonGetty
Who wins the Golden Boot?
Charlotte Richardson
“Khadija Shaw, Manchester City’s super striker just gets better and better each season. I expect more of the same. Especially playing alongside new teammate Vivianne Miedema.”
Lianne Sanderson
“My two are actually Alessia Russo and Bunny Shaw.
“I think those two players, I think Alessia Russo, especially for the Lionesses as the season went on, was just banging in goals for fun, and she’s finally found her feet and her confidence.
“So those are my two.”
GettyShaw will be aiming for another season of prolific goalscoring[/caption]
Uma Gurav
“I’m going to go with, only because I just think it’s got to be year, Lauren James.
“I just think she has to. She has to win it one year.
“I don’t know whether Chelsea will win the WSL, but I still think she’s going to have a high return rate.
“I was so torn between her and Bunny Shaw taking it, but I went for Lauren James in the end, just because I think, you know, she’s a Lioness!”
GettyJames continues to dazzle for club and country[/caption]
Which team will be the surprise package?
Charlotte Richardson
“Crystal Palace. The promoted Championship side are only in their second season as a fully professional outfit.
“For many, they could well be favourites for relegation, but not me. I have seen Laura Kaminski, a brilliant young coach build a squad of hungry players.
“They tore apart some teams last season and scored lots of goals courtesy of Elise Hughes who will sadly miss the start of this campaign having suffered an ACL injury in the penultimate match against Lewes earlier this year.
“Palace’s FA Cup 5th round encounter with Chelsea (which they narrowly lost 1-0) underlines that they will be no walkover this season.”
Lexi Potter (left) is one of a number of young talents on loan at Crystal PalaceGetty
Lianne Sanderson
“Mine’s going to be Crystal Palace.
“I just think under Laura Kaminski, the signing she’s made, what the club is doing there, I just think Crystal Palace are not going to do what Bristol City did, but that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.”
Uma Gurav
“I’m going for Spurs with this. I really liked what I saw in their FA Cup run last season.
“I would have said Liverpool, but I think they’re not a surprise anymore.
“I think Spurs are going to certainly keep their place in the top half of the table, and I think Robert Villaham just knows what he’s doing. So hopefully they will continue to push on this year.”
Breakout Star
Charlotte Richardson
“Rosa Kafaji starred for Sweden against the Lionesses in the recent Euros qualifier in Gothenburg.
“She is a young, fearless and talented player who I think cannot only light up Arsenal’s attack but the WSL too.”
Lianne Sanderson
“I’m going to go for Denny Draper at Leicester, Lexi Potter on loan at Palace from Chelsea and Laila Harbert as well at Arsenal.
GettyKafaji is a name to watch out for this season[/caption]
“I know I’ve got three, but those are my three picks.”
Uma Gurav
“I am going to go here with Olivia Smith.
“I’m really excited to see what she does at Liverpool. I’ve heard some really good things about her. I think Liverpool, I’ve got so much praise for Liverpool just because of Matt Beard.
“I think that kind of young player under a manager like that, with a team who are kind of looking to break into maybe even the top three, could she be a golden boot contender? We’ll have to see. But that’s what I’m going for.”
