Chelsea vs Arsenal: WSL preview, predictions, team news and TV info

Chelsea won only one of four meetings with fierce rivals Arsenal last season, and this was the second leg of a Champions League tie they ultimately lost on aggregate. Prior to January, the Blues had won three successive WSL home games against the Gunners.

So, ahead of this heavyweight Women's Super League clash on Sunday, check out our pre-match preview, predictions, team news and TV info.

Chelsea vs Arsenal match info

• Date: Sunday 27 September 2026.
• Kick off times: 4:30pm (local) & 11:30am (ET)
• Competition: Barclays Women's Super League
• Venue: Stamford Bridge - West London
• How to watch: Sky Sports (UK) and CBS Sports (USA).

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Chelsea vs Arsenal match preview

Having seen their sequence of six successive Women's Super League titles come to an end last season, this will be the first serious test of Chelsea's credentials. After starting the campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, Sonia Bompastor's team have put together a sequence of three successive victories. On Wednesday night, Wieke Kaptein was the only scorer as the Blues beat debutants Austria Wien 1-0 in their Champions League opener at Plough Lane.

Back in the WSL, Chelsea annihilated Manchester United 5-0 at Leigh Sports Village, before a 2-0 victory over Birmingham City last weekend; Lexi Potter and Melvine Malard on target in that one. Now though, both Chelsea and Arsenal are determined to overthrow champions Manchester City. So, which contender will lay down a marker and claim three precious points at Stamford Bridge?

Well, if Chelsea have been largely underwhelming so far this season, Arsenal most certainly have. Renée Slegers' side battled to a 1-0 win over Brighton on the opening day, but have followed that up with back to back draws at home. The Gunners first failed to break down Crystal Palace, held to a goalless draw by the newly-promoted side.

Then, on Saturday evening, they required a last gasp equaliser from Smilla Holmberg to salvage a draw with then bottom of the table Manchester United. Similarly to Chelsea, in mid-week, Arsenal only narrowly won 1-0 against a Champions League minnow. The Gunners very much looked set for an ignominious draw with HB Køge, only to be awarded a stoppage time spot-kick in Borehamwood, one that Mariona Caldentey converted.

This is the start of a crucial eight day period for Slegers' team, taking on Paris FC in the Champions League, before travelling to Manchester City next Sunday. So, in just over a week's time, Arsenal could be bone fide title contenders, or be very much out of the race before it has ever truly begun. Thus, even at this early stage of the campaign, it is impossible to overstate the importance of this clash at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea team news

Sonia Bompastor made only four changes to her starting lineup against Austrian Wien on Wednesday, here options currently somewhat limited. Lauren James is out while Naomi Girma and Kiera Walsh are both doubts, the latter having been forced off after only 20 minutes in the Champions League. Katie McCabe will be under the spotlight, facing her former club for the first time.

Arsenal team news

Renée Slegers has a plethora of options, especially in attack, but is yet to land on a winning formula. Alessia Russo, Olivia Smith and mid-week match-winner Mariona Caldentey will all return, having come off the bench at Meadow Park on Tuesday. Likewise, Misa Rodríguez, Georgia Stanway and Emily Fox, who signed a new contract this week, will also return, having been unused against HB Køge.

Predicted Line-ups

• Chelsea predicted lineup: Hampton; Carpenter, Bronze, Buchanan, Buurman, McCabe; Potter, Nüsken, Thompson, Baltimore; Kaptein.

• Arsenal predicted lineup: Rodríguez; Fox, Williamson, Catley, Batlle; Little, Stanway, Caldentey; Smith, Russo, Blackstenius.

• Score prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal.

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