WSL 2022-23 Season Preview

The new WSL season kicks off this weekend with the league looking to grow even stronger after England's success during the summer. There will no doubt be plenty to play for and now it's time to predict where each club will finish.

ARSENAL

KEY PLAYER: BETH MEAD

Off the back of a brilliant Euro's with England, Mead will be hungry to achieve more success with Arsenal this season. She was on fire towards the end of last season and she later carried that form onto the international stage as she won the golden boot at the Euros. If she carries that form into this season, Arsenal have a chance of stopping Chelsea.

PREDICTION: 2nd

They'll definitely be Chelsea's closest challengers after pushing them all the way last season. But I think they'll fall short yet again.

ASTON VILLA

KEY PLAYER: RACHEL DALY

Daly will add a lot of quality and experience to this Villa side after a successful summer with England of which she was a key part of. Her experience from that as well as from her career will be massively beneficial for Villa's players and she'll no doubt be someone who the younger players will look up to.

PREDICTION: 11th

They've had a couple of steady seasons in this league since they got promoted despite them not scoring a lot of goals. The departure of Anita Asante will be a big blow and goals could well be a problem for them again this season.

BRIGHTON

KEY PLAYER: DANIELLE CARTER

With both of their top scorers gone, Carter will need to step up if the Seagulls are to maintain another comfortable mid-table finish. She only netted 4 times last season and will certainly need to improve on that if Brighton are to keep themselves a good distance away from the bottom.

PREDICTION: 8th

They may not score a lot of goals but in Hope Powell they have a manager whose experience will help them have another steady season. Because of this I can see them have another one of those seasons.

CHELSEA

KEY PLAYER: SAM KERR

The Australian will again be the favourites for the golden boot after winning the award for the last two seasons. She's been a crucial part of Chelsea's success since she's been at the club and they'll need to keep her fit if they're to defend their crown yet again.

PREDICTION: 1st

They've won the title for the last three seasons and there are simply no signs of them slowing down. With a strong squad and a top manager in Emma Hayes, another title awaits them.

EVERTON

KEY PLAYER: HANNA BENNISON

The 19 year old impressed for Sweden at the Euro's this summer and is still one of the most exciting young talents in the women's game. She's already got a lot of experience under her belt for someone so young and will hopefully get more games under her belt this season because of the talent she is.

PREDICTION: 6th

They may be lacking a consistent goal scorer but the toffees should still have a better season than last season. With some good experienced players and some good young players in there as well, they should do a lot better than last year.

LEICESTER

KEY PLAYER: AILEEN WHELAN

Whelan was Brighton's joint top goal scorer last season with 4 goals which should definitely help the Foxes out on that front. They were the second lowest goal scorers last season and if they're to address that problem this season, they're going to need Whelan to deliver and fast.

PREDICTION: 12th

It was a tough first season for them last year yet they still managed to survive. With the league looking a bit stronger this year and the team struggling in both departments last season, another season of struggle is expected.

LIVERPOOL

KEY PLAYER: RACHEL FURNESS

Furness has bags of experience at both club and international level which will be key for Liverpool in their first season back in the WSL. She won't play every game because of her age but having someone like her around will really help the reds this season.

PREDICTION: 9th

It's good to have a club of Liverpool's stature back in the WSL after three seasons away. With their 2013 and 2014 title winning manager in Matt Beard back at the club they should be ok.

MAN CITY

KEY PLAYER: LAUREN HEMP

Last seasons' PFA Young Player of the Year will be City's go to player this season after the season she had last year and the departures of Ellen White and Georgia Stanway. If she can repeat the numbers she registered last season, City could compete with Chelsea and Arsenal for the title.

PREDICTION: 3rd

They've lost some big players over the summer which will no doubt be a blow to their title chances. They still have some quality players but I think they'll fall short again.

MAN UNITED

KEY PLAYER: ELLA TOONE

Fresh off the back of a successful summer with England, Toone will be motivated to achieve some success with Man United this season. If she can have another good season like last year, she could really push Fran Kirby for a regular spot in the England team.

PREDICTION: 4th

The success their England players achieved over the summer will surely raise the bar for them this season. They'll definitely push for a top three finish but I think they'll again fall short.

READING

KEY PLAYER: DEANNE ROSE

Rose had a decent debut season last year which was was her debut season as a professional. She scored 4 goals last season as the Royals finished 8th and she's someone who is going to get better considering the amount of caps she's already received for Canada.

VERDICT: 10th

They've done well to be a firmly established WSL club and especially as they're the only non Premier League club in it. With the league looking stronger this season, repeating their success over the last few years may be tough to follow this season.

TOTTENHAM

KEY PLAYER: DREW SPENCE

After many years at Chelsea, Spence made a very brave decision this summer in joining one of their rivals in Spurs. She was a key part of the success she achieved at Chelsea and will be looking to bring that experience and mentality to Spurs as they look to grow as a club.

PREDICTION: 5th

They were one of the surprise packages last season as they finished 5th which no one expected. There will be higher expectations of them this season because of the season they had last year and with a good squad of players at their disposal, they'll hopefully kick on.

WEST HAM

KEY PLAYER: DAGNY BRYNJARSDOTTIR

The Icelandic striker was the Hammers top scorer last season with 6 goals in all competitions and will need to repeat more of the same if they're to have a season like last season. If they can keep her fit and in form, repeating last seasons' success is possible.

PREDICTION: 7th

They lost a couple of key players in the summer and experienced players which will be a blow going into this season. But with a manager in Paul Koncheskey who knows the club and the women's game, they could have another decent season.