WSL 2 title race and promotion set for final-day drama: everything you need to know

The Women’s Super League 2 (WSL 2) season reaches a dramatic conclusion on Saturday, with both the title and promotion places still up for grabs.

Three clubs remain in contention to be crowned champions, while simultaneously battling for the two automatic promotion spots into the Women's Super League. The team finishing third will still have a chance of promotion via a play-off (more on that later).

With so much at stake, fine margins – and possibly goal difference – could decide it all, setting up a dramatic final day. Read on for all the possible outcomes.

How do things stand in the WSL2?

After 21 games played, just one remains and it’s a three-way battle for the title and the two automatic promotion places.

The fixtures set up a decisive afternoon: First-placed Charlton host second-placed Birmingham City at The Valley, while Crystal Palace, currently third, welcome already-relegated Portsmouth.

Charlton were in control for much of the season but arrive in poor form, with just one win and three defeats in their last six league games.

Birmingham City have four wins and two defeats from their last six. They will have bad memories from this time last year - when they took the title race to the final day but ultimately missed out on promotion to London City Lionesses.

Crystal Palace, relegated from the WSL last season, have surged late with five wins and a draw from their last six games to drag themselves back into contention.

Possible outcomes

Title scenarios

• Charlton Athletic win the title if they beat Birmingham City or if they draw AND Crystal Palace draw/lose
• Birmingham City win the title if they beat Charlton Athletic
• Crystal Palace win the title if they beat Portsmouth AND Charlton v Birmingham is a draw

Promotion scenarios

• Crystal Palace need a WIN to be promoted. No other results would matter.
• If Palace do not win, they will need results elsewhere to go their way and rely on goal difference to finish in the top two.
• The winner of Charlton v Birmingham is guaranteed promotion (and the title). The losing side will drop out of the automatic qualifying places assuming Palace win.

Key permutations

• Charlton lose & Palace draw: Charlton drop to third on goal difference behind Palace
• Birmingham lose & Palace draw: Palace stay third (unless Charlton beat Birmingham by > 7 goals)

Can all three teams be promoted?

Simple answer: yes. The WSL is expanding from 12 to 14 teams next season, meaning up to three WSL 2 teams could be promoted.

The top two teams are promoted automatically on Saturday.

The third-placed team enters a one-off play-off against the 12th-placed WSL side, currently looking to be Leicester City. This match will take place on 23 May, at the WSL 2 team's home ground.

So while two of Charlton Athletic, Birmingham City and Crystal Palace will go up automatically, a third side could still reach the top flight, but only via a high-stakes play-off.