WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE 2020-21

Chelsea are the team to topple this term – but with an extra spot opening up for Europe and some eye- catching arrivals, this year promises to be the most bitterly fought campaign yet

ARSENAL

PROSPECTS

England’s most successful club were still in reach of the title before the WSL season was cancelled, and Joe Montemurro’s side will be hungry to reclaim the prize they won in 2018- 19. A lack of European competition may give the Gunners an advantage over their main rivals, Chelsea and Manchester City. SIGNINGS

Swiss defender Noelle Maritz ( above) has joined from Wolfsburg, along with 20- year- old compatriot Malin Gut. Australian keeper Lydia Williams and left- back Steph Catley have arrived from Melbourne City. VERDICT

A strong set of transfers should secure a top- three finish – but the Gunners are capable of far more this term. No Europe could be the difference. 1st

ASTON VILLA

PROSPECTS

The newly promoted side have shown ambition in the transfer market, after cantering to last season’s Championship title under 27- year- old coach Gemma Davies with an almost perfect record: P14 W13 D1 L0. SIGNINGS

Villa have snared Anita Asante, a former European champion with Arsenal, but the headline arrival is Portugal’s 58- cap forward Diana Silva, from Sporting. Dane Stine Larsen will also add some firepower, while Chloe Arthur and Ramona Petzelberger should bolster the Villans’ engine room. VERDICT

With former England international Eni Aluko as sporting director, Villa have added experience and promise – but a testing season awaits. 10th

BIRMINGHAM CITY

PROSPECTS

The team that finished a hair’s breadth above relegated Liverpool don’t look capable of much

improvement in 2020- 21. It isn’t obvious how the Blues will better the clubs already beyond them after a severe lack of squad investment this summer. SIGNINGS

At the time of writing, it has been a summer of exits… but no new arrivals beyond boss Carla Ward. VERDICT

Unless there are some swift last- minute squad improvements, it’s hard to envisage Birmingham fighting for anything more than survival this term. Sadly for them, it’ll likely be a losing battle. 12th

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

PROSPECTS

The FA Cup quarter- finalists – games to be played in September – will make league survival their main aim. Former England boss Hope Powell is well aware that her side will need to improve on a ninth- placed finish, having won just three of their 16 encounters before the season’s premature end in April. SIGNINGS

Charlton keeper Katie Startup is a smart acquisition for the Seagulls, while forwards Katie Robinson, Nora

Heroum and Inessa Kaagman should add some much- needed attacking spark to Powell’s side. VERDICT

Brighton won’t find it easy against teams with deeper squads than their own, and may regret not recruiting players with more WSL experience. 9th

BRISTOL CITY

PROSPECTS

City’s main aim will be to avoid relegation. A lack of firepower, which led to them netting only nine goals in 14 games last season, is their biggest concern, although they also conceded the most in the league. SIGNINGS

Aimee Palmer has rejoined from Man United, while Faye Bryson has a new two- year deal after impressing on a short- term contract. Ella Mastrantonio, 28, will play outside Australia for the first time in her career. VERDICT

Despite some talented new recruits, Bristol City are likely to face a battle at the bottom again. Manager Tanya Oxtoby will hope that the new faces will be enough to keep their place in the top flight. 11th