Arsenal host title holders Chelsea in a huge Women’s Super League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The two clubs contested their opening UEFA Women’s Champions League Midweek group stage games, but it was the Gunners who were dealt the hardest blow in a 5-2 defeat by Bayern Munich.
Chelsea, meanwhile, head into the game fresh off the back of a 3-2 win at Real Madrid with a point to show in north London.
Last season, both teams won their respective WSL home games against each other, but Jonas Eidevall’s side came through a hotly contested League Cup final in March. It’s a new era at Chelsea under Sonia Bompastor, but this remains one of the most important games on the calendar.
here it is 90 minutes preview of Saturday’s match.
Arsenal vs Chelsea H2H Record (all matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
arsenal |
Chelsea |
|---|---|
|
Bayern Munich – Arsenal 5-2 – 24/10/09 |
Chelsea 3-2 Real Madrid – 08/10/24 |
|
Arsenal 0-0 Everton – 06/10/24 |
Crystal Palace 0-7 Chelsea – 27/09/24 |
|
Leicester City – Arsenal 0-1 – 29/09/24 |
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa – 20/09/24 |
|
Arsenal 4-0 BK Hacken – 26/09/24 |
Chelsea 9-0 Feyenoord – 07/09/24 |
|
Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City – 22/09/24 |
Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea – 25/08/25 |
|
country |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
united kingdom |
BBC One, BBC iPlayer |
|
united states |
ESPN+, ESPN app |
|
canada |
Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet Now Plus |
Leah Williamson and Steph Catley returned to action against Everton last time out in the WSL after injury layoffs. They also traveled to Germany for Arsenal’s Champions League opener against Bayern Munich.
Laura Wienroither and Lina Hurtig were unavailable for the midweek game and Victoria Pelova is still rehabilitating from an ACL 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 he will return to England and reunite with his teammates before the return.
Arsenal predicted line-up against Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Codina, McCabe; Small, Cross-Rabbit; Ford, Maanum, Caldentey; Russian
Bompastor’s side were in action midweek against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Hannah Hampton was initially named in the starting line-up but was replaced by Zecira Musovic before kick-off due to illness and hopes to be ready 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 knee
Midfielder Erin Cuthbert missed the game against Madrid after picking up a knock in training, while Catarina Macario and goalkeeper Katie Cox were absent through illness.
Chelsea vs Arsenal predicted line-up (4-3-3): Hampton; Bronze, Buchanan, Bright, Lawrence; Kaptein, Nusken, James; Kaneryd, Ramírez, on horseback.
This is without a doubt one of the biggest matches of the WSL season. It will also be Chelsea’s toughest test yet following the postponement of their last league game against Manchester United.
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 is expected to be a tight and closely contested game, but Chelsea should come out on top with fewer minutes in the legs.
