Women's Super League 2023/24 Odds: Chelsea favourites ahead of Arsenal, Man City and Man Utd

The Women's Super League returns this weekend with defending champions Chelsea bidding to win their fifth consecutive crown.

The margin of victory has been miniscule in their previous four triumphant campaigns with Emma Hayes' juggernauts winning by one point, two points on two occasions, and even on a points-per-game basis.

This will give confidence to the three-pronged chasing pack of Arsenal, Man Utd, and Man City who each harbour title ambitions of their own.

Below we take a look at what the betting sites are saying when it comes to the ante-post title odds...

Chelsea: 11/10

Surprise, surprise it's Chelsea who have been installed as the bookmakers' favourites to make it five league titles on the spin, with Paddy Power and Betfair handing Hayes' troops best-price odds of 11/10.

Chelsea were made to work for it last season with an ever-improving Man Utd pushing them all the way, but after they suffered a shock opening day defeat to Liverpool, they responded with a superb 19 wins from their following 22 matches, which was enough to secure the title by a two-point margin.

They would go on to complete a domestic double after overcoming Man Utd in the FA Cup final.

This time around they will have to do without Pernille Harder and Magda Eriksson, who have both departed, but they will hope that new recruits Ashley Lawrence and Catarina Macario will have seamless transitions.

In Hayes, Chelsea have one of the best managers on the planet. She's a serial winner who is an expert at finding a way to win. With Lauren James continuing to improve, and Sam Kerr still ruthless in front of goal, the defending champions are well prepped to create more history.

Arsenal: 7/4

Arsenal secured Champions League football by the skin of their teeth last season - pipping Man City on goal difference - only to then make a complete hash of things by suffering a first-round exit earlier this month: a major disappointment.

On a brighter note, it means that Jonas Eidevall's side can fully throw themselves into the three domestic competitions.

Arsenal have recruited smartly in luring over Alessia Russo on a free from rivals Man Utd, Spain's World Cup winner Laia Codina, a Swedish defender with an eye for goal in Amanda Ilestedt, along with the talented Australian midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross. 

Meanwhile, the return from injury of superstars Beth Mead, Leah Williamson, and Vivianne Miedema will feel like new signings.

Man City: 4/1

Man City endured a difficult summer in 2022, losing Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh, Caroline Weir, and Lucy Brownze to Europe, as well as Jill Scott and Ellen White to retirement.

They then finished outside of the top-four on goal difference and 11 points adrift of winners Chelsea.

City do still have buckets of class in their ranks, including experienced defenders Steph Houghton and Alex Greenwood, plus an assortment of exciting attacking talent in Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp, and Chloe Kelly.

With Chelsea and Arsenal to come in their first five games, Gareth Taylor's young side will hope they can conjure up some statement wins early doors.

Man Utd: 6/1

Man Utd ended the season in heartbreak after their inspirational challenge for the title ended an agonising two points short of Chelsea, having lost to the same opponents in the FA Cup final.

Marc Skinner's side can take buckets of inspiration and motivation from how they pushed the serial winners all the way, although the Red Devils have since been handed the longest odds of the "Top-4 Clubs" at 6/1 to win the WSL title for the first time.

They will have to make do without striker Alessia Russo who devastatingly went on a free to rivals Arsenal, while right-back Ona Batlle has jetted off to Barcelona.

Are there any other teams to keep an eye on?

Behind the aforementioned four teams, you'll find Aston Villa at 500/1, while everyone else is a huge four-figure price.

Villa surprisingly finished 5th last season, in part thanks to the stunning return of Rachel Daly who bagged the Golden Boot with a record-equalling 22 WSL  goals.

They are unlikely to challenge for the title but on their day they are a match for anyone, as shown in wins over Arsenal, Man City, and Man Utd across the three domestic competitions last term.