WNL preview: Remarkable title race heads for climax

The SSE Airtricity League Women's National League is, once again, going right down to the wire.

Last year Shelbourne snatched the crown in an astonishing final day after they beat Wexford Youths and Peamount United slumped to a 5-2 loss against Galway.

Nobody thought we'd see anything like a repeat of that - and yet here we are 12 months later with an even more dramatic climax on the cards.

Four teams can still be crowned champions with just two games to play. It's a remarkable scenario that promises plenty more twists and turns.

Wexford Youths are top on 55 points, one ahead of Shels with Peamount and surprise package Athlone Town a further two points back.

On Saturday evening [5.20pm] Peamount host Wexford Youths in a huge game. The Peas must win; they could go top given they have a better goal difference than Wexford.

These teams know each other so well, two sides who are almost always involved at the business end of the league and FAI Cup.

A titanic clash is on the cards but by the time they kick off, Shelbourne may well have stolen a march on them.

Noel King's team can turn the heat up on their rivals if they defeat Sligo Rovers in the early game at Tolka Park [2pm].

The eighth-placed Bit O’Red are playing for pride and it would be some shock if they derail Shels' title ambitions, but nothing can be taken for granted at this stage of the campaign.

Meanwhile Athlone - who are having a superb season - are at home to Galway [7pm].

Tommy Hewitt's charges will face Shels in the FAI Cup final at Tallaght Stadium on 6 November so they're still dreaming of a double.

They'll need a couple of results to go their way but that's very possible because in the last round of matches, Wexford play Peamount.

A brilliant season looks certain to