Women’s Super League: How clubs have fared so far – plus predict your final table

The Women’s Super League season has now paused for its winter break – so how have clubs been getting on and are they living up to expectations?

We want you to rank how each club is performing so far too, and then predict how you think the final WSL table will look at the bottom of the page.

1. Chelsea

Points: 25 Goals scored: 32 Goals conceded: 11

It is so far, so good for Chelsea and the defence of their title but it has not been plain sailing. A draw at Manchester City, who went down to nine players, felt like a missed opportunity and they were heavily beaten at Arsenal this month.

Manager Emma Hayes rightly pointed out that teams rarely go unbeaten in a season but Chelsea cannot afford to drop many points in those head-to-head battles with rivals if they hope to win a fifth successive crown. There is the possible advantage that three of their remaining four games against the other perceived top-four sides are at home.

There is still a long way to go and Chelsea sit top as it stands with a three-point lead – so they are exactly where they want to be.

Pre-season prediction: 1st

2. Manchester City

Points: 22 Goals scored: 26 Goals conceded: 7

Manchester City had been overlooked by many for the title but they started the season in good form despite going down to 10, then nine, players in their first two fixtures.

Big wins over Manchester United, Bristol City and Tottenham were highlights but having already suffered defeats by Arsenal and Brighton, there is little room for further errors this season.

All in all, though, it has been a solid start and they are still within touching distance of Chelsea. They have two of their remaining three games against potential title rivals at home – and that could prove pivotal.

Pre-season prediction: 4th

3. Arsenal

Points: 22 Goals scored: 24 Goals conceded: 10

It was not a great start to the season by Arsenal, losing to Liverpool at Emirates Stadium, before a few lacklustre performances.

They then lifted their level, picking up big wins against Manchester City and Chelsea to put themselves right back in the title race – but inconsistency still remains as manager Jonas Eidevall figures out how to integrate his new signings.

The return of key players Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema will be a big boost for the second part of the season, with centre-back Leah Williamson also still to return, but Arsenal need to gel soon as their defeat by rivals Tottenham this weekend was costly.

Pre-season prediction: 2nd

4. Manchester United

Points: 18 Goals scored: 25 Goals conceded: 11

Manchester United’s two defeats have been painful ones against rivals Manchester City and Liverpool and they have been compounded by costly draws which could derail their title challenge.

A lack of ruthlessness against Leicester City, Brighton and Arsenal means they had already lost ground on the leaders and defeat by Liverpool – the fifth time in 10 matches United have dropped points this season – leaves them seven adrift of Chelsea.

New signings were given time to settle but there will not be the same level of patience after Christmas. On too many occasions, United have lacked the finishing touch in the final third despite creating plenty of chances and controlling possession.

They need to have an exceptional second half of the season – but they have not shown enough yet to suggest they are capable of winning the WSL.

Pre-season prediction: 3rd

5. Liverpool

Points: 18 Goals scored: 15 Goals conceded: 11

It has been a decent campaign for Liverpool so far. Manager Matt Beard targeted a fifth-place finish in the table and they are on course to achieve that, ending the year level on points with Manchester United.

They got off to a brilliant start with victory over Arsenal at Emirates Stadium and have generally proved to be a tough team to play against, as United found out this weekend.

Strong business in the transfer window has paid off and club record signing Sophie Roman Haug has found her feet with four goals and two assists in their last five matches. If they remain consistent in the new year, it could be an impressive season.

Pre-season prediction: 7th

6. Tottenham

Points: 15 Goals scored: 15 Goals conceded: 20

It has been a mixed bag from Tottenham but the feeling is positive.

New boss Robert Vilahamn made his mark early on with an exciting, aggressive and attacking style of play which reaped rewards against Bristol City, Brighton and Aston Villa and they ended the year with a first ever WSL victory over rivals Arsenal.

But they have been caught out ruthlessly in games against top opposition in Manchester City and Manchester United – so Vilahamn’s style comes with its risks.

Fans will be pleased to see a clear identity though and this is a rebuilding season which has started well.

Pre-season prediction: 8th

7. Everton

Points: 11 Goals scored: 9 Goals conceded: 19

Toffees boss Brian Sorensen has had a tough start to the campaign, having to navigate an injury crisis, while key forward Nicoline Sorensen announced her retirement so they will need to replace her for the second part of the season.

Lack of squad depth and failure to replace some departures in the summer transfer window made for a difficult start but after just one win in seven games, Everton have started to pick up some results.

Their victory over Liverpool at Anfield was a boost and recent wins over West Ham and Aston Villa means they have quickly jumped away from the relegation zone and into a decent position.

They need additions in January, though, not just in attack but in defence, having lost key players at the end of the summer.

Pre-season prediction: 10th

8. Leicester City

Points: 10 Goals scored: 15 Goals conceded: 21

Leicester’s campaign got off to the perfect start with seven points from their first three games – a great return for a side who defied the odds to stay up last season.

Manager Willie Kirk deservedly received praise for his faith in youth and the players delivered with some free-flowing, creative and fearless football.

They have been beaten heavily by the top-ranked clubs in recent weeks but on the whole it’s been a positive start for Leicester, who have shown they can compete and already look much better than they did last season.

Pre-season prediction: 9th

9. Aston Villa

Points: 9 Goals scored: 12 Goals conceded: 22

It has been a tough season so far for Aston Villa. Hyped as one of the sides capable of closing the gap on the top four, they lost their first five games and were bottom of the table at one stage.

A few injuries to key players and a three-match suspension for Kirsty Hanson did not help, and Villa’s confidence appeared to take a hit. But, a few results recently have started to put them back on track.

They will want to perform much better in 2024 and manager Carla Ward has done smart business in the transfer window in the past which could help them if she does so again over Christmas.

I expect them to improve and move comfortably clear of the relegation battle – and so will their fans.

Pre-season prediction: 5th

10. Brighton

Points: 8 Goals scored: 10 Goals conceded: 22

There were high hopes for Brighton this season after some strong business in the transfer window but, understandably, it has taken time for manager Melissa Phillips to work out the strengths of her new-look squad.

There are still clear areas they need to improve – they are making too many errors at the back, need to control games better in midfield and inconsistency in results remain.

In-form striker Elisabeth Terland, who sits joint-second in the WSL’s top goalscoring charts, has helped the team to vital points but they need to kick on from the good foundations Phillips has put in place.

Pre-season prediction: 6th

11. West Ham

Points: 5 Goals scored: 8 Goals conceded: 21

Like Aston Villa, it has been a start to forget for West Ham. But while Villa’s struggles were a surprise, West Ham were always likely to suffer given the late arrival of manager Rehanne Skinner in the summer, with so little time to recruit.

Skinner has a small squad lacking in experience and she needs backing in the January transfer window if West Ham’s fortunes are to be overturned. They need to pick up points soon otherwise they could find themselves still sitting bottom in May.

A key area for them will be strengthening in midfield, with experience desperately needed, as well as some leadership at the back. Lack of depth up front is also a major issue so there is a lot that needs to be addressed and the question will be whether it will be sorted in time.

Pre-season prediction: 11th

12. Bristol City

Points: 5 Goals scored: 10 Goals conceded: 26

Bristol City were heavy favourites to go straight back down to the Women’s Championship – not because they lack quality, but because they are a young side, competing with the financial pockets of Premier League clubs around them.

It was never going to be an easy start for them as a result, but they have improved hugely in the months since returning to the WSL and have shown they are capable of staying up.

It will probably be a scrap for them all the way through until May but Lauren Smith has guided her team to some encouraging results and they will not be beaten easily. They can feel positive about their chances of safety.

Pre-season prediction: 12th

Predict your WSL table

Now we want you to have your say and predict how you think the WSL table will look at the end of the season.

Do your table below and then share it on social media using #bbcfootball and ask your friends to predict their table too.