Image caption, Watch: Hearts v Celtic Venue: Oriam, Edinburgh Date: 15 May Kick-off: 18:00 BST Coverage: Watch on the BBC Alba and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & appArticle information
- Author, Amy Canavan
- Role, BBC Sport Scotland
1 hour ago
On the eve of the penultimate round of SWPL fixtures, it still couldn’t be tighter at the top and bottom of the table. It’s going right down to the wire at both ends.
Celtic remain in pole position to pick up their first league title at Celtic Park on Sunday as they sit top of the tree level on points with Rangers, but with a superior goal difference of 15.
At the foot of the top flight, Dundee United and Hamilton Accies are locked on points and only separated by a one-goal difference.
Both travel to the top two teams from the bottom-six on Wednesday in Aberdeen and Motherwell, before returning home in an attempt to avoid the automatic drop and salvage a play-off position spot.
Uncertainty reigns, but what can be guaranteed is a captivating climax.
Celtic and Rangers have exchanged shots at top spot, but the current incumbents have timed their run to perfection.
Undefeated in their eight post-split fixtures to date, Sadiku’s side are showing the form of champions.
But they are far from over the line and if they could have avoided a trip to Oriam at this stage, you can be sure they would have.
Just a month ago, they defeated Rangers in the capital for a historic result of their own and one that was no doubt cheered by Celtic, too.
But the current league leaders will take heed from that scoreline and be aware their A-game is required in Riccarton.
If it isn’t brought, Rangers could pounce. Potter’s side are in the capital, too, to take on Hibs in what will be club captain Joelle Murray’s final home game.
They’re unbeaten against the Hibees this term and with the knowledge that a win is near non-negotiable, that trend is unlikely to end.
Image caption, Montrose host Spartans on Tuesday, 14 May
Flip the table round, and it’s equally fraught at the foot. Believe it or not, it’s even closer.
With a sole goal setting United and Accies apart, never has it been truer that every goal matters.
Both sides tasted sweet victory in the post-split meetings between the pair, but Accies’ was emphatic in their 5-2 win. That could be the one that’s looked back on.
But Bobby Watson’s side face the in-form side of the bottom half on Wednesday. Motherwell are on a nine-game unbeaten run, with seven wins in that spell.
Accies have enjoyed Lanarkshire derby success this season, and will need to rediscover that level of performance, and then some, if they’re to steal any potentially priceless points off Paul Brownlie’s side.
Points have been at a premium for United under Suzy Shepherd’s stewardship.
With just one win and one draw since she took over on 1 March, it’s been far from an easy ride.
That win, of course, came against Accies, but that came after a 5-1 humbling from Wednesday’s hosts, Aberdeen.
Such a scoreline must be avoided if they’re to shift out of the bottom spot, but when the chips are down, that’s much easier said than done.
2024-05-14 14:39:50
#SWPL #Plenty #play #penultimate #fixtures
