Ella Toone and Vivianne Miedema return for Manchester derby and Chelsea Women must hit the ground running as the WSL returns

Liverpool vs Brighton - Friday January 17, kick-off 7.30pm, live on Insportly

After some struggles in the WSL, Brighton have been the surprise of the season. They are the closest team that can disrupt that top four, and have spent time in the top three in the first half of the campaign.

But given the pedigree in their squad, perhaps it should not be a shock. Brighton have made shrewd signings in recent years, particularly the summer acquisitions of Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris - serial winners in their own rights.

Adding them to a squad that already included Vicky Losada, Pauline Bremer and Maria Thorisdottir, the Seagulls are finally showing the potential they had under the surface. Let's also not forget the impact of manager Dario Vidosic in their recent successes.

Brighton are a mirror image of Liverpool from last season - who finished fourth, six points above Manchester United - as teams seem to take it in turns to break that stranglehold at the top of the table.

The Reds will be disappointed to have just nine points on the board, although injuries have played their part. They have already made moves in the January window to try and mitigate those circumstances, signing Sam Kerr from Bayern and Julia Bartel on loan from Chelsea.

Both teams will want to hit the ground running in Friday's game, live on Insportly - Brighton to show they are not a half-season wonder and Liverpool to get their campaign back on track.

Everton vs Aston Villa - Saturday January 18, kick-off 5.30pm

Only goal difference separates Everton and Aston Villa in the middle of the WSL table. They pair are locked on nine points apiece - the same number of goals Villa thrashed Bristol Rovers by in the FA Cup at the weekend.

It continues an uptick in form under Shaun Goater, who is in caretaker charge after the departure of Robert de Pauw. Villa also beat West Ham 3-1 in the final WSL game of 2024.

But it was Everton's 2-1 win against a depleted Man City on December 15 that raised eyebrows. They soaked up pressure and hit their opponents on the counter, doing so to devastating effect.

Although their FA Cup game was postponed, the Toffees will be hoping to find that same performance as they take on an Aston Villa side who are similarly looking for a boost further up the table.

Man City vs Man Utd - Sunday January 19, kick-off 6.45pm, live on Insportly

It's not been the easiest season for either Manchester club in terms of injuries. Manchester City have seen absences for Vivianne Miedema, Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw and Alex Greenwood. Manchester United too have been without Ella Toone.

But the good news is that Miedema and Toone have already made scoring returns to action. Both netted in the weekend's FA Cup action, with the Man Utd midfielder scoring a superb goal.

Both players can be game changers whether starting or not, and could be key in turning the game in favour of their sides in what could be a tight contest.

There's currently one point that separates them in the table. Man Utd are currently outside the top three on goal difference, but could leapfrog their city rivals with victory this weekend. Man City will also want to keep pace with Chelsea at the top as they hope to mount a title challenge in 2025.

West Ham vs Chelsea - Sunday January 19, kick-off 3pm

Despite being the WSL's undisputed leaders, there has been a blip in Chelsea's latest charge for the title. They drew 1-1 with Leicester in their last league outing and made hard work of it. It ended their 100 per cent winning record too.

They have won two games since against Real Madrid in the Champions League and Charlton in the weekend's FA Cup game - as well as a winter training camp in Portugal - but the Leicester result may just be niggling in the back of some minds.

Taking on West Ham, they will want to put that right as they focus attentions back onto league matters. While Chelsea have a six point gap over Man City in second, it would only take a few results either way to make that a tricky situation.

But Chelsea are nothing if not ruthless winners. A draw against Leicester still kept them unbeaten, and provided the Blues with a timely reminder of how tight the WSL can be. They won't want another this weekend.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace - Sunday January 19, kick-off 2pm

It's been quite the caretaker spell for Renee Slegers. The Arsenal interim boss has led her side to 11 unbeaten games across all competitions, taking them into the top three on goal difference.

Results are one thing and performance is another. Under Slegers, the Gunners have found both. Fluency has returned, goals are flowing, and the football is entertaining - all things Arsenal are renowned for.

And yet, there has still been no announcement on a new permanent boss, despite the departure of Jonas Eidevall in October. The progress made under Slegers has surely made her a shoo-in for the main job.

Arsenal will be back at the Emirates on Sunday, and take on the league's bottom side in Crystal Palace. They will be hoping to pick up where they left off as Slegers continues her audition for a permanent position.

Tottenham vs Leicester - Sunday January 19, kick-off 12.30pm

Before the winter break, Tottenham were on a run of four games unbeaten in all competitions, including two in the WSL. Those six points make up over 50 per cent of their total for the season so far.

However, this run was over a month ago - and they face a Leicester side who held Chelsea to a draw before the winter break.

They looked astute in defence and frustrated a usually free-flowing Blues, and will have had more time on the training pitch to improve. Another draw - or even better, a victory - would be vital in their bid for WSL survival.

We could also see a debut for goalkeeper Lize Kop, who signed for Spurs this week from the Foxes. She has been handed the No1 shirt and will provide competition for Becky Spencer, who has conceded 23 goals in 10 WSL games this season - only Crystal Palace have shipped more.