This is a Chelsea Women predicted lineup for their UEFA Champions League clash with group leaders BK Hacken. The Swedish side tops the group after getting an upset win over Real Madrid with the Blues trailing by two points and hoping to rebound after a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup vs BK Hacken
Matchday in the Champions League! ✨#UWCL pic.twitter.com/h2eADSQ8SR
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) December 14, 2023
How Chelsea Women Have Lined Up Recently
Ann-Katrin Berger has been a mainstay in goals, although Zećira Mušović has been given some game time as a rotational option. In the absence of Millie Bright we have seen Maren Mjelde come into the defence alongside Jess Carter, Ève Périsset, and Niamh Charles. Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence also featured in a new-look defence in the previous tie against Paris FC.
Read More: Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal Women for December 10
The go-to defensive midfield pivot and midfield pairing in a 3-4-3 has been Erin Cuthbert and Sjoeke Nüsken with Sophie Ingle occasionally coming in as rotation. Sam Kerr has spearheaded the attacking line with any combination of Fran Kirby, Lauren James, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, and Jessie Fleming in behind.
Chelsea Women Recent form and Tactics
Emma Hayes has largely stuck to a 4-2-3-1 although we have seen this shift to a 3-4-3 when Buchanan starts or a 4-1-4-1 against weaker teams. Until their previous outing, this had fared well for her team who were unbeaten all season long until their loss to Arsenal.
What may be a worry to the manager is the goals being conceded. The Blues haven’t kept a clean sheet in their past five fixtures. They have picked the ball out of the net 10 times in that run.
Chelsea Injuries to Consider
In her pre-match conference, Hayes confirmed the absences of Bright and Jelena Čanković who remain sidelined alongside Cat Macario. Melanie Leupolz, who has been missing for some time should be fit to return to the squad in some form.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup
Given Mjelde’s age it is likely we see her rested in this midweek fixture which could see a change to a back three to accommodate Buchanan and Lawrence.
GK – Ann-Katrin Berger
CB – Jess Carter
CB – Kadeisha Buchanan
CB – Ashley Lawrence
LWB – Niamh Charles
RWB – Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
CM – Erin Cuthbert
CM – Sjoeke Nüsken
AT – Lauren James
AT – Jessie Fleming
AT – Sam Kerr
