The Women’s Super League is now gearing up for its Christmas break after an entertaining first half of the season.

Chelsea are the only unbeaten team and sit top of the table under new manager Sonia Bompastor, while two clubs have sacked their head coaches. Jonas Eidevall was the first to go after Arsenal’s poor start to the season while Aston Villa’s Robert de Pauw was fired before the final WSL game of the year.

Promoted Crystal Palace sit bottom of the pile but they are within touching distance of the teams around them.

Telegraph Sport gives each team, in order of their current position in the table, a mid-season report and looks at what they need to do to improve in 2025.

Chelsea

It had been a perfect start for Bompastor until her team dropped two points at Leicester on Saturday. But if you would have offered her nine wins and one draw from their first 10 games at the start of the season, she would no doubt have taken it.

Ahead of their final Champions League group game with Real Madrid on Tuesday, Chelsea are unbeaten in all competitions. Bompastor has made taking over from Emma Hayes look easy and, worryingly for their rivals, it feels as though they have not yet reached their top level.

What do they need in January?

Chelsea have the most depth in the WSL but Bompastor may wonder whether she needs some extra defensive cover given the long-term injury to Kadeisha Buchanan.

Lauren James is expected back from injury some time in the new year while Sam Kerr could be available again in February or March, so Chelsea are probably fine on the attacking front.

Grade: A

Predicted finish: 1st

Their blip against Leicester aside, Chelsea already look like champions in waiting.

Manchester City

When Gareth Taylor’s side beat Barcelona in their first Champions League game in October, it looked as if they had enough to take Chelsea all the way in the WSL title race again. City had the chance to close the gap to just three points after Chelsea’s draw at Leicester but suffered a shock defeat at Everton.

Squad depth has been their downfall and injuries to key players have suddenly put a huge dent in their aspirations. Lauren Hemp, who had knee surgery in November, has been a huge loss while their top scorer Khadija Shaw is set for an extended period on the sidelines. Captain Alex Greenwood was the latest to pick up what looked to be a serious injury last week. The good news is that Vivianne Miedema is nearing a return but she will need time to get up to speed again.

What do they need in January?

Given the injuries they have suffered, City could really do with another centre-back, winger and perhaps a striker if they want to bridge the gap to Chelsea.

Grade: B

Predicted finish: 2nd

Not sure they have the squad depth to take the title race to the final day of the season this time.

Arsenal

Following a disappointing start to the season that led to Eidevall being sacked after four games, Arsenal have vastly improved under interim boss Renée Slegers. They are by no means the finished article and can still struggle to turn their possession into goals, but they look more confident and settled than they did at the beginning of the season.

The issue for Arsenal is that they have already dropped a lot of points when it comes to challenging for the title. They are seven points behind Chelsea going into the break and, unless their London rivals suffer a dreadful run of form, it is a lot for them to make up.

They also need to ensure they do not get complacent because Manchester United are level on points and just two goals behind them on goal difference.

What do they need in January?

Arsenal have a reasonable amount of depth in every position but with Mariona Caldentey being used in a deeper midfield role, they could perhaps do with another winger.

Grade: B-

Predicted finish: 3rd

No reason why they cannot challenge City for second given their recent run of form but the title feels out of their reach.

Manchester United

United have lost only one game this season – a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea – but have drawn too many matches they should have won. Marc Skinner’s side were lucky to get a point against Arsenal but dropped points against Brighton and Aston Villa. They have been impressive in defence and have conceded just three goals, the lowest of any team in the division.

It is in attack where they seem to have had the most problems. They have managed 16 goals, 15 less than Chelsea and just one more than Tottenham, who are 11 points behind them.

What do they need in January?

United could do with another winger or centre-forward to help give them the extra firepower they have been lacking in the final third.

Grade: B-

Predicted finish: 4th

Will push Arsenal for third place but cannot see them taking enough points off the teams around them to break into the Champions League spots.

Brighton

After an exciting summer transfer window, expectations of Brighton were high at the start of the season. New manager Dario Vidosic has more than delivered so far. His side are fifth in the table and have played some entertaining football. They have competed with the teams above them, taking a point off Manchester United while losing narrowly against City.

They also gave Chelsea a decent game when they were beaten 4-2 recently.

What do they need in January?

Brighton did so much business in the summer, recruiting the likes of Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris, that they may not think they need to do too much in January. Perhaps some extra defensive cover or another midfielder would help bolster Vidosic’s squad.

Grade B+

Predicted finish: 5th

Could make a push for fourth place but expect they will just miss out. Fifth would be an excellent finish.

Tottenham

It was an underwhelming start to the season for last season’s FA Cup runners-up, but Spurs seem to have found more of a rhythm in the last few weeks. Their point away at Brighton was a good one and currently they sit in the same position they finished in last season.

There is no doubt Spurs wanted to kick on from the previous campaign and there is a hefty six-point gap between them and Brighton. There have also been too many games where they shot themselves in the foot by making gifts of goals to the opposition. But manager Robert Vilahamn will be more encouraged by recent performances.

What do they need in January?

Only Crystal Palace have conceded more goals in the WSL than Spurs so strengthening his defence ought to be Vilahamn’s biggest aim in the next month.

Grade: C+

Predicted finish: 6th

Finished the year in better form than when they started this season. Could push Brighton for fifth but form says Brighton have the edge.

Aston Villa

It is fair to say Aston Villa have not had an enjoyable first half of the season. De Pauw was appointed as Carla Ward’s successor in the summer but Villa struggled to pick up points and the Dutchman was sacked before the last game of the year.

Shaun Goater has been placed in interim charge and led the team to a 3-1 victory over West Ham on Sunday. There have been many games where Villa have not played badly but have failed to do enough to take home points. There is still a lot of talent in the squad and there is every chance they could have a much better second half of the season.

What do they need in January?

Villa need some more depth in the centre-forward position and potentially another centre-back.

Grade: C-

Predicted finish: 8th

Final position will be determined by who they appoint as their new manager but whoever takes over has work to do.

Liverpool

After an impressive fourth-place finish last season, Liverpool have struggled this term. Matt Beard has been hit with injuries to a number of key players including Leanne Kiernan and Sofie Lundgaard, among others.

They have won only two games and appear to be lacking in confidence in front of goal, with just nine scored this season. Only Everton, Leicester and Crystal Palace have scored fewer.

What do they need in January?

Liverpool could do with strengthening the spine of their teaam. More options in attack would also be helpful.

Grade: C-

Predicted finish: 7th

Need to strengthen their squad in January if they have ambitions to finish above mid-table and eliminate inconsistencies.

Everton

Everton already had a thin squad at the start of the season and have not been helped by a heavy amount of injuries to key players. Three players have suffered anterior cruciate ligament injuries, including summer signing Inma Gabarro, while at one point in November as many as seven players were sidelined.

It has meant manager Brian Sorensen has had to fast-track a number of academy players, so it is not surprising the Toffees have struggled at times. The fact they have the same number of points as Liverpool and Villa is somewhat impressive. Their victory over City on Sunday was testament to the hard work of Sorensen and his young team.

What do they need in January?

Everton could undoubtedly do with another striker and potentially an extra body in midfield.

Grade: C+

Predicted finish: 10th

Possess enough experience not to be relegated but squad depth will likely cause them problems throughout the season.

West Ham

Many expected West Ham to be one of the teams battling it out at the bottom this season and Rehanne Skinner’s side have indeed struggled at times. Importantly, the eight points they have picked up have come against the teams around them – victories over Palace and Leicester and draws with Everton and Liverpool.

After beating Palace earlier this month, Skinner said the club have to invest to ensure they stay clear of the relegation battle and work their way up the table.

What do they need in January?

The Hammers have a reasonable amount of depth going forward but could do with more cover in defence, with Skinner’s side having kept just one clean sheet this season.

Grade C-

Predicted finish: 9th

Should have too much to be relegated but without a January spending spree may struggle to break into the mid-table bracket.

Leicester City

It was looking pretty grim for Leicester until they managed a spirited draw with Chelsea on Saturday. They had led for 57 minutes until they finally succumbed to their opponents’ pressure.

Like many teams near the bottom, Leicester have suffered injuries to several players including Jutta Rantala and Sam Tierney.

It has not been easy for Amandine Miquel, who was appointed as manager in the summer. Aside from a 4-0 defeat by City, her side have not been thrashed and have conceded fewer goals than the teams around them. However, they have scored only three goals, which explains why they are 11th in the table.

What do they need in January?

Given their extreme lack of goals, it is the attacking area that Leicester need to focus on strengthening next month.

Grade: C-

Predicted finish: 11th

Expect them to improve when they get more players back from injury and their draw with Chelsea indicated they have it in them to avoid the drop.

Crystal Palace

After promotion from the Championship last season, Palace have more than held their own in the top flight despite sitting bottom of the table heading into Christmas. Their main issue has been that they have dropped too many points from winning positions. Laura Kaminski has a young squad that is still learning and they will continue to improve as the season progresses.

But there is no denying they need to start picking up more points. Palace have played some entertaining football but have at times been too open and lacked defensive resolve.

What do they need in January?

Palace score plenty of goals but extra firepower in attack is always useful for the teams at the bottom. They have suffered some defensive injuries, including two ACL tears to on-loan Chelsea defenders Jorja Fox and Brooke Aspin, so desperately need to bolster in that area.

Grade: C-

Predicted finish: 12th

Will likely go to the wire but the lack of experience may cost them in the end.