Three into two - battle to reach WSL goes to final day

Three teams, but only two spots. Someone's got to miss out.

Just one round of fixtures remain in WSL 2 and two of Birmingham City, Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic will secure automatic promotion on the final day.

Things are a little different in the second tier this season with the top two both going up automatically and third place playing a promotion-relegation play-off, against bottom Women's Super League side Leicester City.

With the final round of fixtures looming on Saturday, 2 May (15:00 BST) - and the top two facing off - here's everything you need to know.

Last June, WSL Football voted to expand the league from 12 to 14 teams from the 2026-27 season.

It means three teams could potentially go up from the second tier rather than the usual one, which had happened in every season since the 2019-20 campaign.

Going into the penultimate round of fixtures on Sunday, Birmingham were hoping to effectively seal a spot in the top two thanks to their superior goal difference, but were stunned in a 3-0 home loss by mid-table Ipswich Town.

"All we can do is look forward and make sure we respond. This is about doing the basics well, playing to our strengths and fighting for what we want," said Birmingham manager Amy Merricks.

"The best teams have the ability to bounce back. That's what we have to focus on. "I have true belief in this group and I know what we're capable of. It's all to play for."

The Blues enter the final day level on 41 points with Crystal Palace, who are trying to return to the top flight at the first attempt.

However, both trail Charlton Athletic, who snatched top spot after their dramatic draw with fourth-placed Southampton last weekend.

Charlton had gone 2-1 up in the 92nd minute, only for Saints to equalise in the 94th.

In the WSL 2's final round of fixtures, Charlton and Birmingham play each other, while Crystal Palace are at home to already-relegated Portsmouth.

League leaders Charlton will be promoted if they avoid defeat. If they lose, they would still be promoted if Crystal Palace are beaten.

On the flipside, Birmingham City will go up with a win. That would likely guarantee them the title, even if Palace win, given they have a better goal difference than the Eagles.

That advantage also means if Blues and Palace both draw, the former will finish runners-up and earn promotion. Defeat for Palace would ensure Birmingham go up no matter how they get on against Charlton.

Finally for Palace, the equation is simple. If they win, they will be promoted and could also go up with a draw if Charlton lose. The title would be theirs if they win and the game at Charlton remains a draw.

It is the second straight season, Birmingham are involved in a winner-takes-all match on the final day.

Last season, they drew with London City Lionesses when a win would have sent them into the top tier at the Lionesses' expense.

"This game won't be easy, of course it won't. I have no doubts that Charlton will approach it in the same way in terms of going after everything," added Merricks.

"Charlton are a good side and full credit to [their manager] Karen Hills and the work she's done this season. I think she's an exceptional manager.

"But effectively, we're going to war this weekend."

Meanwhile, Ipswich's shock win over Birmingham on Sunday had the secondary effect of relegating Portsmouth to National League South.

Pompey will be replaced by three teams coming up from two third-tier leagues that concluded on Sunday.

Burnley secured the National League Northern Premier Division title and will join Southern Premier Division champions Watford in the second tier next season.

The runners-up from those two divisions, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle, will contest a promotion play-off in Burton on Monday, 4 May (13:00 BST) for a spot in WSL 2.