Another big clash from the WSL with two of the title hopefuls juking for position early in the campaign. This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for the tie with Arsenal Women after a Champions League opener marred by illness to some key players.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal Women in WSL
How Chelsea Women Have Played Recently
Hannah Hampton has been the first-choice goalkeeper and was originally set to start in midweek before being switched out late for Zecira Musovic. Millie Bright, Nathalie Bjorn, and Kadeisha Buchanan have all set out as the centre-backs while Lucy Bronze has nailed down the right-back spot. On the left, Ashley Lawrence was dropped for Sandy Baltimore which could be something that Sonia Bompastor continues with.
Read More: Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup vs Real Madrid for October 8
Sjoeke Nusken, Erin Cuthbert, and Wieke Kaptein have been the main defensive midfielders with an attacking trio of Lauren James, Guro Reiten, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, and on one occasion Baltimore supporting the striker.
Mayra Ramirez appears to be the first-choice attacker with Aggie Beever-Jones also getting a start.
Chelsea Recent Form and Tactics
Bompastor has mainly used a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 fluid system with Google recognising the shape from the Real Madrid outing as a strict 4-3-3. That wasn’t the reality on paper as Baltimore at left-back was kept very high as James moved as a free player with Reiten backing up Ramirez up front. In pre-season, there was a 4-4-2 used against Arsenal which we could see recreated here.
Read More: Chelsea Women Complete Sixth Summer Signing
Despite some rocky performances, the new manager is off to an unbeaten start with a flawless pre-season leading into three wins from three in all competitions since the competitive fixtures started. Goals have been flowing as usual for the Blues and the defence, until the Champions League outing, seemed rather imperious.
Chelsea Injuries to Consider
Despite illness causing some changes in mid-week, the manager has confirmed that Cuthbert, Hampton, and Cat Macario have trained and are available. Sam Kerr, Aniek Nouwen, Sophie Ingle, and Mia Fishel are all long-term absentees due to ACL injuries.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup
There’s likely to be a system change to implement a higher press that was utilised in the friendlies against both the Gunners and Gotham.
GK – Hannah Hampton
LB – Sandy Baltimore
CB – Kadeisha Buchanan
CB – Millie Bright
RB – Lucy Bronze
LW – Lauren James
CM – Sjoeke Nusken
CM – Erin Cuthbert
RW – Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
ST – Mayra Ramirez
ST – Aggie Beever-Jones
