Chelsea vs Manchester City WSL preview, heading to enemy territory with momentum
For the second straight campaign, Emma Hayes and Chelsea Women encounter Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City in the second match week. This time though, the contest is in enemy territory. With Arsenal suffering a surprise defeat at the Emirates to Liverpool, both these teams will have their eyes set on becoming the early season title favorite with a win.
Star striker Sam Kerr will be back within the team after witnessing Mia Fishel’s coming out party at Stamford Bridge last Sunday. The last goal for the Australian against this side was in fact on the same ground the clubs will compete on during Sunday afternoon. Guro Reiten laid it off for Kerr in first half stoppage time to double the west London outfit’s lead in that 4-0 victory back in 2021.
Erin Cuthbert, another absentee from Sunday should be back within the squad according to Hayes. The Scottish midfielder missed out due to a calf injury. Hayes expressed that she did not want to leave out anyone who trained last week. American Catarina Macario will await her debut in blue with it still being a several weeks away.
Lauren James playing more centrally again will be something to watch while Zecira Musovic will more than likely receive another challenge as the No. 1 choice in week two. With players like Reiten, Niamh Charles, and Australian Mary Fowler, the left side of the pitch is going to produce some must-see television.
The last time the west Londoners took the trip to Joie Stadium was just four days after taking down French juggernauts Lyon on the road in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Due to that, it did not go as planned. Two goals within a nine minute span in the first half was enough to give the Manchester outfit the Blues’ second league defeat of the campaign.
Taylor knows what it takes to do it again. It is about taking the chances that come your way against the four-time defending champions. Spurs didn’t. City will have the opportunity, but if Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw cannot be fit for the fixture, it is difficult to see the Manchester outfit taking all the points.
Taylor’s team will be coming off a convincing two goal shutout against West Ham United. Dutch star Jill Roord found the back of the net in her debut for the Women’s Super League side. City’s new No. 20 used a brilliant turn and her pace before sliding the ball into the bottom left corner in the 55′ last weekend.
The home side will be without left-back Leila Ouahabi who secured a red card in east London for a questionable challenge on Japanese international Honoka Hayashi.
Other than the red card, the talk of the match was England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck missing out on the starting lineup. 19-year-old Khiara Keating got the nod. She was solid between the sticks in London on match week one, looking confident within the box. Taylor seems to be a fan. He may use a rotation between the two English keepers.
The support from the fans will without question be there. The tickets for the away section via the club’s sales were reported to be sold out last week.
There is no question that this is going to be one of the toughest road trips of the season. To get it out of the way before injuries become more of a concern is a positive. The focus has to be on coming out of the gate much faster compared to the Spurs’ match. If the Blues begin the first 45 minutes like they began the second half last Sunday, the Citizens could be in for a long day.
Chelsea Women predicted starting XI at Manchester City
Goalkeeper: Zecira Musovic
Defenders: Millie Bright, Jess Carter, Ashley Lawrence, Niamh Charles
Midfielders: Guro Reiten, Lauren James, Sophie Ingle, Melanie Leupolz, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
Forward: Sam Kerr
Next. Chilwell set for another lengthy spell out with this return date. dark
Chelsea Women vs. Manchester City match info
Date: Sunday, October 8
Time: 12:30 BST, 7:30 a.m. EST
TV Broadcast: BBC Two (UK), Paramount Plus (USA)