Chelsea Women vs. West Ham United, FA Cup preview, predicted XI

If you need to take a hiatus from the widely inconsistent men's team---you're in luck. The four-time defending Women's Super League winners are back in action this weekend against West Ham United in the fourth round of the FA Cup. With the winter break completed, the Blues begin the task of balancing more than just two competitions at once. It has been quite a while since Chelsea Women netted three at the Bravida Arena to go top of Group D in the UEFA Women's Champions League. Considering that, we could see some rust, especially in the first 45 minutes from both sides.

Over the past three meetings, it has been all Chelsea. By a combined score line of 13-0 to be exact.
This isn't the West Ham from December. The Irons have so far acquired three players during this January window including USWNT midfielder Kristie Mewis with the hope of shaving off relegation from the top-flight.

This is a way for WHU to set the tone with that goal in mind in the first match of 2024. It'll be intriguing to see how Rehanne Skinner lines her side up considering these incomings. Newcomer Katrina Gorry is someone that could cause a whole slew of issues in the midfield. On top of being arguably one of the most dangerous and disruptive players down under this summer, Gorry showed an ability to find the net in the 2023 Damallsvenskan. Don't overlook her leadership, a quality WHU must have given the youth within the squad. The matchup between Gorry and Erin Cuthbert is going to be an entertaining one.

Against the bigger clubs lately like Arsenal, the east London side has lined up with a back five. Expect that to be what the opposition uses with the hopes of employing forwards Riko Ueki and Viviane Asseyi as counter pressers and transitional threats.