The Blues return to Barclays Women’s Super League action after a pause due to an international break and they take on reigning champions Arsenal on Sunday.
Here is our preview ahead of the London derby…
WHEN AND WHERE
Emma Hayes’ side host our London neighbours Arsenal at Kingsmeadow tomorrow. The match kicks off at 3pm and it is a key fixture for the Blues as we embark on regaining the WSL title from our opponents.
THE FORM
Chelsea Women are unbeaten in all competitions so far this season. We have won two and drawn one in the league, and got off to a good start in the Continental Tyres Cup.
The Blues did not have a fixture last week due to the international break. However, Chelsea’s last match was against Bristol City, which resulted in a clinical 4-0 triumph. Guro Reiten scored a brace within 10 minutes with two well-placed finishes. Bethany England picked out Reiten who calmly slotted past Bristol’s No.1 and the second followed soon after when she volleyed home. Ji So-Yun extended our lead with a thumping effort from the edge of the box and the fourth came late on when Sophie Ingle registered her first league goal for the Blues.
We recorded a 2-0 win over West Ham in our opening league cup match thanks to second-half goals from Bethany England and Reiten, who scored her first goal as a Blue. England finished on the angle from a Magdalena Eriksson long-range pass and Reiten’s corner was helped in by the West Ham goalkeeper. Our 2019/20 campaign began with a 1-0 victory against league newcomers Tottenham Hotspur, with an early strike from England. Then, we travelled to Sussex to play Brighton and Hove Albion where we had to settle with a 1-1 draw. The Blues were trailing from behind in the closing stages of the match when an effort from Albion’s Aileen Whelan rifled into the top corner. However, substitute Adelina Engman finished from close range in stoppage time to ensure we came away with a well-deserved point.
Arsenal have started the league off strongly and currently sit top of the table having won all three matches. They edged West Ham 2-1, Manchester United 1-0 and thumped Brighton 4-0. The Gunners returned to Champions League football after a five-year absence and recorded a 6-0 triumph on aggregate against Italian side Fiorentina. They also secured a 5-0 Conti Cup win against Championship team London City Lionesses.
CHELSEA V ARSENAL HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Chelsea v Arsenal has been a regular fixture since the WSL was established in 2010 with both clubs founder members of the rebranded English top flight. After struggling against Arsenal for the first few years, July 2014 was when the Blues recorded our first win against the Gunners when Yuki Ogimi and Ji So-Yun gave us a 2-1 victory at our previous home, Wheatsheaf Park.
Our last match at our KT1 home against Arsenal ended in a miserable 5-0 defeat.
However, our most recent fixture took place in February 2019 which saw us progress to the last-eight of the Women’s FA Cup. Bethany England scored a brace and Jonna Andersson netted her first ever Chelsea goal. Just weeks before that impressive result, the Blues capped off another home win against the Gunners which ended 2-1 when Erin Cuthbert scored two brilliant goals either side of half-time.
One game which will not be forgotten for the right reasons was when we beat Arsenal 3-1 at Wembley Stadium to lift the 2018 FA Cup in front of more than 45,000 fans. Ramona Bachmann got a brace and Fran Kirby was on target that day.
MATCHDAY
There will be matchday activities taking place on Sunday. Outside Kingsmeadow we have a live band and face painters before kick-off. Mascots Stamford and Bridget will be around pre-match and half-time for fans to take selfies with, and make sure you pick up a free flag to cheer the Blues on with!
HOW TO FOLLOW
Tickets will be available at the ground at just £1 for juniors and seniors and £9 for adults.
As always, those not in attendance this afternoon can follow the action via our social media channels. There will be live text commentary on our Twitter page, regular updates on Facebook and for behind-the-scenes footage, make sure you check out our matchday Instagram Story. Simply search 'ChelseaFCW' on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
BT Sport will also be showing the game live and coverage starts at 2.45pm.
ELSEWHERE IN THE WSL
There is no doubt that this is the standout fixture in the top flight this weekend, but there are five other matches taking place in the WSL. Manchester City, who are level with Arsenal on points, host Birmingham City which is the only fixture on Saturday. On Sunday, Liverpool take on our last opponents Bristol City and newcomers Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United go head-to-head. Reading welcome Everton while West Ham travel to Brighton and Hove Albion.