The WSL returns for the final stretch of the 2021/22 season this weekend after a three-week break for international fixtures and the FA Cup semi-finals.

All 12 teams are in action and the stakes could hardly be higher at this late stage of the campaign.

Chelsea and Arsenal are still locked in a battle for the title, separated by just a single point. Manchester United and Manchester City also continue to fight it out for the third and final Champions League qualifying place.

At the other end of the table, Birmingham will be a step closer to mathematical relegation to the Women’s Championship if they don’t start picking up points fast.

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When is kick off? Saturday 23 April, 14:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Broadfield Stadium
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Highlights? FA Player, BBC Sport website
Referee? Elizabeth Simms

Brighton fought hard against Manchester United at the start of the month and were disappointed to come away from that game with a narrow defeat. The Seagulls have been inconsistent at times but enjoyed their biggest win of the season when they faced Birmingham in the reverse fixture.

For Birmingham, anything other than victory here would be a very firm shove in the direction of the second tier. Defeat wouldn’t absolutely seal their fate, even if Leicester were to get an unlikely win against Manchester City, but it would be close to it.

Prediction: Brighton 3-1 Birmingham

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When is kick off? Sunday 24 April, 14:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Academy Stadium
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Highlights? FA Player, BBC Sport website
Referee? Louise Saunders

Manchester City are gunning for third place Manchester United and will see this home clash against a Leicester side that have shipped 21 goals in their last four WSL games as an opportunity to keep the pressure on and significantly boost their goal difference.

The Foxes, meanwhile, can just about say that their first ever season as a top flight club has been a success. Even if they fail to get any more points for the remainder of the campaign, it is unlikely that Birmingham will do enough below them to suck them into real danger.

Prediction: Man City 4-0 Leicester

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When is kick off? Sunday 24 April, 14:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Madejski Stadium
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Highlights? FA Player, BBC Sport website
Referee? Tom Reeves

Both Reading and West Ham have the opportunity to seal an impressive top half finish between now and the end of the season if they can secure a few more positive results. That starts here with a clash between them in Berkshire.

Neither side actually comes into this one in great form. Sunday’s hosts are on a frustrating run of seven WSL games without a win, which ironically followed a sensational streak where they took 22 points from 24 before that. Birmingham has been West Ham’s only win in their last six in the league.

Prediction: Reading 2-2 West Ham

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When is kick off? Sunday 24 April, 14:30 (BST)
Where is the match being played? The Hive
TV channel/live stream? BBC One/iPlayer (UK) ata football, FA Player (international)
Highlights? FA Player, BBC Sport website
Referee? Lisa Benn

A win here for Chelsea would open up a four-point cushion over Arsenal at the top of the table, even just temporarily as the Gunners don’t play until later on Sunday evening. But the Blues will hope it at least exerts some kind of pressure on their title rivals all the same.

Tottenham won’t roll over, however. They have vastly improved this season under the guidance of Rehanne Skinner and are typically hard to beat. Yet they do come into this one off the back of successive 1-0 league defeats and haven’t won since February.

Prediction: Tottenham 0-2 Chelsea

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When is kick off? Sunday 24 April, 18:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Bescot Stadium
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Highlights? FA Player, BBC Sport website
Referee? Emily Heaslip

Manchester United know they have to keep winning if they are to stay ahead of Manchester City because they cannot rely on any favours from other clubs upsetting their in-form rivals. They should be able to do that in the west midlands on Sunday evening, though.

The reverse of this fixture in December ended in a 5-0 United win. It may not be quite so one-sided this time around, with Villa in better form thanks to four points from their last two games against Tottenham and Reading. But the United front four are capable of blowing anyone away.

Prediction: Aston Villa 0-2 Man Utd

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When is kick off? Sunday 24 April, 18:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Walton Hall Park
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), ata football, FA Player (international)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube, FA Player, BBC Sport website
Referee? Kirsty Dowle

The pressure will be on Arsenal come the final WSL match this weekend. The Gunners are likely to be four points adrift of Chelsea by the time they kick-off against Everton, who have struggled this season but recently ensured their mathematical safety from relegation.

Arsenal have won four in a row in the league but will have to shake off the disappointment of last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea. Everton have lost three of their last four – but all of those recent defeats have been against one of the other top four.

Prediction: Everton 0-2 Arsenal

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