Arsenal host title holders Chelsea in a blockbuster Women’s Super League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Both clubs contested their opening UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage fixtures midweek, but it was the Gunners who were dealt the harshest blow in a 5-2 loss to Bayern Munich.
Chelsea, on the other hand, approach the game fresh off the back of a 3-2 win over Real Madrid with a point to prove in north London.
Last season, both teams won their respective WSL home fixtures against each other, but Jonas Eidevall’s side edged a fiercely contested League Cup final back in March. It’s a new era at Chelsea under Sonia Bompastor, but this is still one of the biggest matches in the calendar.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Saturday’s clash.
Arsenal vs Chelsea H2H Record (All Games)
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea on TV and live stream
Arsenal team news
Leah Williamson and Steph Catley both returned to action against Everton last time out in the WSL following injury lay-offs. They also travelled to Germany for Arsenal’s opening Champions League group game against Bayern Munich.
Laura Wienroither and Lina Hurtig were unavailable for the midweek game and Victoria Pelova is still undergoing rehabilitation following an anterior cruciate ligament injury earlier in the summer.
Defender Amanda Ilestedt has been absent for most of this year and announced the birth of her baby last month. It is not yet known when she will return to England and rejoin her teammates ahead of a return.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Chelsea
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Codina, McCabe; Little, Cooney-Cross; Foord, Maanum, Caldentey; Russo.
Chelsea team news
Bompastor’s side were in action midweek against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Hannah Hampton was initially named in the starting lineup but was replaced by Zecira Musovic before kick off due to illness and will hope to be ready in time for Saturday’s game.
Chelsea also have long-term absentees Sam Kerr, Sophie Ingle, Mia Fishel and Aniek Nouwen recovering from ACL injuries. Defender Niamh Charles is yet to feature this season following shoulder surgery, while summer signing Oriane Jean-Francois returned as a substitute on Tuesday night almost a year after suffering a serious knee injury.
Midfielder Erin Cuthbert missed the game against Madrid after picking up a knock in training, while Catarina Macario and goalkeeper Katie Cox were both absent due to illness.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-3-3): Hampton; Bronze, Buchanan, Bright, Lawrence; Kaptein, Nusken, James; Kaneryd, Ramirez, Reiten.
Arsenal vs Chelsea score prediction
This is without a doubt one of the biggest games of the WSL season. It will also be Chelsea’s toughest test so far after their last league match against Manchester United was postponed.
Arsenal have struggled against the likes of Leicester City and Everton in recent weeks, but their performance against Manchester City should give them plenty of confidence heading into Saturday’s meeting with the champions at the Emirates.
It’s expected to be a tight and fiercely contested game, but Chelsea should come out on top with fewer minutes in the legs.
