Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Preview: Chelsea Women vs. BK Hacken Women - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 13 December 2023, 00:21
Chelsea Women will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Arsenal when they play host to BK Hacken Women in Thursday's Women's Champions League contest.

The Blues are currently sitting in second place in Group B, while the Swedish side are top points better off at the top of the standings.

Match preview

Chelsea have made an unbeaten start to their Champions League campaign, having taken four points from their opening two games against Real Madrid and Paris FC.

After being held to a 2-2 draw by the Spanish side, the Blues made light work of their home meeting with Paris FC, with Sam Kerr netting a hat-trick in a commanding 4-1 victory.

Those two results helped Chelsea begin the campaign with a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitons before they made the short trip to the Emirates Stadium for Sunday's clash with Women's Super League title rivals Arsenal.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd managed to cancel out Beth Mead's eighth-minute opener, but Arsenal moved back in front through Amanda Ilestedt, before Alessia Russo netted a brace to condemn Chelsea to a heavy 4-1 defeat, which enabled the Gunners to move level on points with the Blues at the top of the WSL table.

While Emma Hayes's side saw one unbeaten run come to an end, they will be looking to continue their superb home form after winning each of their last 10 competitive home matches since losing to Barcelona in April.

Hacken are the surprise leaders in Group B after beginning the main draw with consecutive 2-1 victories over Paris FC and Real Madrid.

After enjoying a successful trip to France, Hacken fought back from a goal down to get the better of Real Madrid thanks to efforts from Rosa Kafaji and Katariina Kosola.

As a result of those wins, Hacken currently enjoying a five-point cushion to third-placed Real Madrid, while they are six points clear of Paris, who are rooted to the bottom of the group.

Although they have not played since last month's win against the Spanish side, Mak Lind's side head to the English capital off the back of four consecutive victories in all competitions.

Having found the net in each of their last 11 competitive matches, the Swedish outfit will be confident about their chances of troubling the Chelsea backline at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea Women Women's Champions League form:

D

W

Chelsea Women form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

W

L

BK Hacken Women Women's Champions League form:

D

W

W

W

BK Hacken Women form (all competitions):

Advert - content below:

Team News

Chelsea remain without the services of defender Millie Bright, who has been ruled out until the new year with a knee injury.

The WSL champions are also unable to call upon Katerina Svitkova, Aniek Nouwen, Jelena Cankovic and Catarina Macario.

After joining Chelsea from Hacken in 2022, Rytting Kaneryd is expected to start against her former club in Thursday's contest.

As for the Swedish side, they will travel to London without Anna Csiki and Stine Larsen, who are both sidelined with serious knee injuries.

After dropping down to the bench for the meeting with Real Madrid, Aisha Masaka could come back into the side to lead the line at Stamford Bridge.

While Masaka is set to feature up front, Rosa Kafaji could also provide a meaningful goal threat after finding the net in each of her last three club appearances.

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:

Berger; Perisset, Mjelde, Carter, Charles; Nusken, Cuthert; Rytting Kaneryd, Kirby, James; Kerr

BK Hacken Women possible starting lineup:

Falk; Kosala, Rybrink, Luik, Nelhage; Bergman-Lundin, Curmark; Anvegard, Kafaji, Sandberg; Masaka

We say: Chelsea Women 3-1 BK Hacken Women

Previews by email

Top News

4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 home win over Bournemouth to boost their hopes of claiming their first Premier League title in 20 years. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town have recorded a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town to seal promotion to the Premier League. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After leapfrogging their London rivals in the Premier League table on Thursday evening, Chelsea host fellow European outsiders West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will attempt to reach a notable milestone in Sunday's Premier League home clash with Tottenham Hotspur. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly confident that Son Heung-min will sign a new deal at the club. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi is reportedly pushing for his club to sign Manchester City attacker Bernardo Silva during this summer's transfer window. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison is reportedly one of the players who could be sold as part of Ange Postecoglou's summer clearout. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides at opposite ends of the Turkish Super Lig table clash on Monday evening as Konyaspor host Fenerbahce at the Torku Arena. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea and West Ham United will be looking to strengthen their bid to qualify for Europe when they square off at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Still in the running for European football next season, deposed Serie A champions Napoli meet relegation-threatened Udinese on Monday evening. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Still in the hunt for two trophies this season, Atalanta BC will aim to keep the pressure on Serie A's top five when they visit relegated Salernitana on Monday. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly identified Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey as a potential signing during this summer's transfer window. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min - like many of his teammates - was found wanting in Spurs' 2-0 Premier League loss to London rivals Chelsea in midweek, where the Lilywhites' fleeting Champions League chances suffered another crushing blow. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marcus Rashford will reportedly hold showdown talks with the Manchester United hierarchy in a bid to address his struggles during the 2023-24 campaign. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England boss Gareth Southgate is reportedly not considering including Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho in his squad for this summer's European Championship. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atlanta vs. Minnesota Utd (Sunday, 12.30am) Two sides currently in contrasting form go head to head in the MLS as Atlanta United play host to Minnesota United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides separated by just one point in the Primeira Liga standings go head to head on Sunday as SC Farense play host to Estoril Praia at the Estadio de Sao Luis. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad vs. Las Palmas (Saturday, 1.00pm) Real Sociedad will be bidding to bounce back from their defeat against Real Madrid when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Las Palmas on Saturday afternoon. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Monza vs. Lazio (Saturday, 5.00pm) Still vying for a place in Europe thanks to their recent revival, Lazio visit mid-table Monza on Saturday evening. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Dortmund vs. Augsburg (Saturday, 2.30pm) Three days on from their Champions League semi-final first-leg victory in midweek, Borussia Dortmund return to Westfalenstadion to welcome Augsburg for a Bundesliga clash on Saturday afternoon. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Le Havre vs. Strasbourg (Saturday, 2.00pm) Le Havre face Strasbourg at the Stade Oceane on Saturday afternoon in Ligue 1, a game between two sides who are battling against relegation with just three fixtures remaining in the season. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic vs. Hearts (Saturday, 3.00pm) Celtic play host to Hearts on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that will move them a step closer to defending their Scottish Premiership title. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal vs. Bournemouth (Saturday, 12.30pm) Bidding to temporarily go four points clear at the top of the Premier League standings, Arsenal kick off Saturday's action with the visit of Bournemouth to the Emirates Stadium for the lunchtime kickoff. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Braga will be looking to bounce back from last week's loss at Benfica when they play host to Casa Pia at the Estadio Braga Municipal in round 32 of the Primera Liga on Sunday. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lille host Lyon on Monday at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, knowing that a single point would be enough to officially claim a spot in the Europa League next season at the very least. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Table-toppers Galatasaray will look to maintain their lead in the Turkish Super Lig title race when they host Sivasspor on Sunday evening at Rams Park. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out the suggestion that he has held talks over succeeding Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea boss. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly placed Newcastle United's Alexander Isak at the top of their list of forward targets for the summer transfer window.