ScottishPower Women’s Premier League post-split fixtures announced

Click here to view the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League post-split fixtures.

The Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) has announced the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League post-split fixtures, which get underway from Sunday 17th March.

Scotland’s top teams will complete the initial 22 rounds of fixtures on Sunday 3rd of March, with the top and bottom six teams splitting for the remainder of the season. With 10 rounds of fixtures post-split, there is plenty of excitement to come with battles at both ends of the table for the league title and UEFA Women’s Champions League spots in the top half as well as the fight to avoid the relegation play-off and automatic relegation, still very much alive.

The opening round of the top six post-split fixtures includes a potentially huge match in the race for the title as Celtic host Rangers. The home side are currently four points behind the league leaders, and a victory would close that gap and almost certainly keep them above Glasgow City by virtue of their superior goal difference. Rangers have edged the matches between the sides in this campaign, winning twice earlier this season across the league and cup matches, but the most recent meeting of the sides on Sunday resulted in an entertaining 1-1 draw at Ibrox in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League.

Reigning champions, Glasgow City, start with a tricky away tie to Heart of Midlothian, where they drew 0-0 back in November. In the other opening match, Hibernian host Partick Thistle with the Jags unbeaten in the last three matches between the sides. There is currently just one point between fourth placed Hearts and sixth placed Partick Thistle.

On the final day of the season (Sunday 19th May), Rangers host Partick Thistle, Celtic welcome Hibernian, and Glasgow City are at home to Heart of Midlothian.

In the bottom six, the opening round includes a Lanarkshire derby as Hamilton Academical host Motherwell. Both sides have won one match each so far this season, but Accies prevailed 2-1 in the most recent meeting earlier this month. The hosts are also in good form, having picked up seven points against bottom six opposition in their last three league matches.

At the foot of the table, as it stands, are current SWPL 2 champions, Montrose, but only on goal difference. They host Dundee United in Round 23 with both sides currently sitting on 10 points. A win could be important for either side, with Montrose looking to make it three victories from three games against the Tangerines.

The final game sees Spartans travel to Aberdeen. The Dons are nine points clear in 7th as they look to finish above the rest in the bottom six. Spartans will be looking over their shoulder as they are just three points ahead of the sides in the bottom three, who are all currently on 10 points. Aberdeen have won both league matches this season, but Spartans were 2-1 winners most recently in the Scottish Women’s Cup.

On the final day of the season Dundee United are at home to Motherwell, Hamilton Academical host Montrose, and Spartans welcome Aberdeen.

SWPL Managing Director, Fiona McIntyre, said: “Last season gave us one of the most dramatic conclusions ever seen in the Scottish game, with many twists and turns as clubs navigated the post-split fixtures. Already, the 2023/24 ScottishPower Women’s Premier League is shaping up to be just as compelling at both ends of the table. Just four points separates the top three teams, and just three points separates the bottom four.

“Today, we are delighted to confirm the schedule for the remainder the season. Every fixture over the next two months will contribute towards the race for the title or battle to avoid relegation.

“The feedback from across the game has been that the split was a welcome addition to the women’s game last season, creating incredible drama and allowing us to showcase the very best of women’s football in Scotland. We expect it will have a similar impact this season and we now look forward to a fantastic finale with the title, European qualification, and avoiding relegation all being played for across the next few months. We encourage fans to play their part and to get along to a ScottishPower Women’s Premier League match as we enter the final ten rounds of the season.”