Old Firm derby & top-of-table showdown - what to watch in SWPL

BBC News

10-05-2025

The clock is ticking down to the final SWPL games of the season and it's still anyone's title to play for. Here are a few things to keep an eye on this weekend. Derby deciderAccording to Rangers manager Jo Potter, Sunday's Old Firm derby against Celtic is a "must win" if her side want to keep their title (and treble) hopes alive.As things stand, Rangers are five points off Hibs at the top with three games left. They also have a Scottish Cup final to think about at the end of the month. "These games are always massive," Potter said of Sunday's derby. "Each game is going to be huge from now until the end of the season. It's no different to what it's been in the last few. It's just getting a lot closer now and we've got to make sure that we're doing everything we can to take three points. "One result can change the outcome of a whole dynamic."Celtic are mathematically out of the race after their 3-1 defeat to Glasgow City last weekend but still in with a very slim shout of a European spot - they need to win all their remaining games and need the teams above them to lose. "We want to prove that we're much better than this season has shown," manager Elena Sadiku said. "That is something that is going to be very important, we've got to play for pride and show character in the last three games."The meetings between the this season have been close affairs. Last month at Broadwood, Amy Gallacher salvaged a point for Celtic when she cancelled out Kirsty Howat's early strike. The game before that Rangers edged 3-2 while the first derby of the season, back in October, ended 2-2.There's never a dull game between these two. Top-of-table clashPotter will also be keeping a close eye on the early game at Meadowbank between top two Hibs and Glasgow City. Could it be one of the games where the eventual winners will look back on as where the title was won?Currently, Hibs are three points ahead of Sunday's opponents with nine still to play for. These two have met three times already this season, Hibs have won two and City came out on top in the other, but this weekend there's even more at stake. Victory for Hibs would move them six points clear with six to play for and would put Grant Scott's side firmly in the driving seat for the remaining matches against Celtic and Rangers. A win for City would put them top, thanks to their superior goal difference, before their final two matches against Motherwell and Hearts. Montrose continue survival fightAberdeen fought back to snatch a point in Wednesday night's 2-2 draw at Pittodrie in another setback to Montrose's SWPL survival hopes. Craig Feroz's side occupy the final relegation spot - Dundee United and Queen's Park have already had their drop to SWPL 2 confirmed - and are two points off Spartans in safety.They're up against a Partick Thistle side who've had a pretty turbulent season and are heading into Sunday's game off the back of a 2-0 defeat to the Dons last weekend. A win for Montrose makes things very interesting for the final three games. It would move them two points behind Thistle and, depending on results elsewhere, out of the drop zone. How to follow on BBCThere's two games live across the BBC this weekend. The big one at the top between Hibs and Glasgow City is live on BBC Alba, it kicks off at 12:10 BST. Later, Celtic v Rangers is also on the BBC Alba channel. It kicks off at 16:10 BST.You can also watch both games on BBC iPlayer as well as the BBC Sport website and app and there will be live text coverage of all of Sunday's games there too.