Chelsea and Manchester City go head to head in a blockbuster clash at Kingsmeadow on Sunday, as two of the WSL’s heavyweights attempt to get back on track after surprise losses last weekend.
Manchester City suffered a 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa following their summer of upheaval, before reigning champions Chelsea were beaten by newly promoted Liverpool.
Who will bounce back on Sunday?
Here’s 90min’s WSL preview ahead of Chelsea versus Manchester City.
When is kick off? Sunday 25 September, 16:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Kingsmeadow
TV channel/livestream? Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event (UK), FA Player (international)
What time does coverage start? 15:00 (BST)
Referee? Abigail Byrne
Pernille Harder is a doubt for Chelsea, having pulled out of the starting XI with injury during the warm up ahead of her side’s defeat to Liverpool. Emma Hayes explained that Harder had been working on grass on Friday, but her availability for Sunday’s fixture won’t be unknown until Saturday.
Gareth Taylor confirmed his squad is expected to be much the same as last week, bar defender Alana Kennedy, who could be in contention to return after missing out against Aston Villa.
Chelsea (3-4-3): Musovic; Bright, Eriksson, Buchanan; Charles, Cuthbert, Fleming, Reiten; Kirby, Kerr, James.
Man City (4-3-3): Roebuck; Morgan, Houghton, Greenwood, Stokes; Aleixandri, Coombs, Fowler; Kelly, Shaw, Hemp.
Both sides endured difficult starts to the campaign, but it is Chelsea who should be expected to bounce back quicker, given City are in a period of transition after a squad overhaul in the summer.
City’s front three remain among the best in the league, but if Chelsea can stifle the service to them and press high – as Villa had such joy doing last weekend – the champion Blues should collect their first three points of the season.