Women’s Super League 2019-20 predictions: BBC pundits pick top four

BBC commentator Vicki Sparks:

Champions: “After a seven-year wait for the title, the most decorated club in English women’s football are back with a bang – and I expect them to stay there. Arsenal’s attacking play is sublime, and Montemurro seems to know just how to get the best out of a very talented squad. Nobbs’ return is a major boost, and Vivianne Miedema and Danielle van de Donk are set to shine again.”

Runners-up: “Last season’s runners-up Man City may have lost top scorer Parris, but there aren’t many strikers that you’d rather replace her with than White. She was scintillating at the World Cup, but her knee surgery is an early blow to their hopes. No-one could accuse City of being a one-player team, however, and if Stanway and Caroline Weir can keep the goals going in during White’s absence then they’ll be strong contenders as usual.”

Third: “Make no mistake – 2018 double winners Chelsea will be going all out for the title, after missing out on European football for the first time since 2013. They’ve been the least active of last season’s top three in the transfer market, but this is a squad that gave holders Lyon a run for their money in the Champions League semi-finals last season. Expect them to push hard once again.”

Fourth: “Outside of the ‘big three’, Birmingham City have largely been the ‘best of the rest’ recently. This season will be a different test, however, with several senior players departing – most crucially, White. Their pedigree suggests staying power, but given their squad overhaul I expect them to be pushed much harder this time around. Keep an eye out for Everton, who endured a difficult 2018-19 but have brought in real quality over the summer – as have newly-promoted Man Utd, despite losing captain Alex Greenwood to Lyon.”

BBC Sport has launched #ChangeTheGame this summer to showcase female athletes in a way they never have been before. Through more live women’s sport available to watch across the BBC this summer, complemented by our journalism, we are aiming to turn up the volume on women’s sport and alter perceptions. Find out more here.