The key games that will be decisive to Chelsea Women’s quadruple bid

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When iconic manager Emma Hayes left Chelsea last summer after 12 glorious years at the helm, you’d have been forgiven for thinking the Blues’ era of success might come to an end. You’d have been very wrong. New boss Sonia Bompastor arrived from Lyon, and has overseen a remarkable campaign that may yet end in a quadruple. Chelsea are unbeaten in the Women’s Super League this season and face a League Cup final, a Champions League quarter-final tie and an FA Cup semi-final in the weeks ahead as they seek glory on four fronts. The existing star power of Lauren James and Sam Kerr has been bolstered by the signings of England hero Keira Walsh and defender Naomi Girma for a world-record fee. With longest-serving player, and captain, Millie Bright penning a new deal too – there is plenty of positivity around Kingsmeadow. But what are the key fixtures that will decide their quadruple bid? We’ve taken a look with help from the football experts of FIRST.com.

League Cup final vs Manchester City

 This Saturday, Chelsea take on Manchester City at Pride Park in the Subway Cup final. In a bizarre quirk of the fixture list this is the first of four consecutive games against the Citizens. Exactly how Chelsea’s opponents will shape up for these matches has been thrown up in the air though, as this week they sacked boss Gareth Taylor. Former boss Nick Cushing has taken up the reins on an interim basis. City had been toiling in the WSL, down in fourth place, 12 points behind the Blues. Taylor had also become a controversial figure in part due to his involvement in the exit of star woman Chloe Kelly earlier this year. Cushing has pedigree with a WSL title, an FA Cup and two League Cups to his name from his previous stint in charge – so Bompastor and her team will need to bring their A game with serious threats like Kadija Shaw and Vivianne Miedema to keep at bay.

Champions League quarter-finals vs Manchester City

 The Blues have swept all before them domestically in recent seasons with seven league titles since 2015, plus five FA Cups and two League Cups in that time. But the Champions League is the one that has eluded them, and Bompastor would love to achieve what Hayes never did. Chelsea got to the final in 2021, losing to Barcelona – and they are the potential opponents in the semi-finals if Cushing’s City can be defeated over two legs. Wolfsburg are the alternative semi-final opponents while either Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal or Bompastor’s old club Lyon will await in the final.

FA Cup semi-final vs Liverpool

This cup clash is one that the Blues will be confident about winning. They’ve won four of their last five games against Liverpool, including a comfortable 3-0 away victory in November. The Reds are down in sixth in the table, having lost seven of their 15 matches so far. but they sprung a surprise with a 1-0 win at Arsenal in the quarter-final so will give it their best shot at Kingsmeadow for this one. One of the Manchester clubs will await in the final.

WSL fixture vs Manchester United (A)

Potentially the decisive fixture in the WSL campaign. If the Blues are to retain their title, they will need to see off the challenge of Manchester United, who have been on the rise as a force in English women’s football in recent seasons. Maya Le Tissier and Ella Toone are among United’s key players to watch out for. Currently in second, eight points behind but with a game in hand, Marc Skinner’s side won their first major trophy in the FA Cup last year and would love to claim a first league title. A win in this away fixture, the third-from-last game of the domestic season, would surely end United’s dreams for another season.

Remaining WSL fixtures:

Manchester City (A) 23 March

West Ham (H) 30 March

Crystal Palace (H) 20 April

Manchester United (A) 27 April

Tottenham (A) 4 May

Liverpool (H) 10 May

Other competitions:

League Cup final vs Manchester City (Pride Park) 15 March

FA Cup semi-final vs Liverpool (H) 20 April

FA Cup final date: 18 May

Champions League QFs vs Manchester City (A) 19 March (H) 27 March

CL SF dates: 19 & 26 April
CL final date: 24 May

 For more expert football insight and sports betting tips check out FIRST.com.