Preview: Bristol City Women vs. Chelsea Women - prediction, team news, lineups

While the Blues are sitting top of the standings, the hosts are currently languishing in 11th position with five points to their name after nine matches.

Match preview

Bristol City are sitting just one point above the sole relegation place after winning just one of their nine league games this season (D2, L6).

The Robins took the lead in their most recent league outing against Liverpool, but Amalie Thestrup's opener was cancelled out by Sophia Roman Haug to ensure the spoils was shared.

The result did at least extend Bristol City's unbeaten away run to three matches, which is in stark contrast to their poor home form.

Lauren Smith's side have lost each of their four home league games this season, scoring just three goals, while conceding 10 times in that period.

Having shipped 23 goals across their nine WSL matches, Bristol City have the worst defensive record in the top flight, and that will be a cause for concern ahead of a difficult fixture against a free-scoring Chelsea side.

Chelsea enjoyed a 15-game unbeaten start to the season prior to last Sunday's away clash with title rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Unfortunately for the Blues, that impressive record was brought to an end by a heavy 4-1 defeat, representing just their second WSL loss of 2023.

Emma Hayes's side experienced another frustrating result in midweek, as they played out a goalless draw with Hacken in the Champions League group stage, leaving them in second place and two points behind the Swedish side.

While the Blues are at least sitting top of the WSL table, only goal difference separates them from second-placed Arsenal, who have the chance to put pressure on Chelsea when they face Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday's North London derby.

Having racked up 29 goals in nine league matches, the reigning WSL champions are currently the highest scorers in the top flight, and they will look to make that firepower count when they face their newly-promoted opponents on Sunday.

Bristol City Women Women's Super League form:

L

W

L

D

L

D

Bristol City Women form (all competitions):

Chelsea Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

W

W

W

L

Chelsea Women form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

L

D

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Team News

Bristol City are unable to call upon the services of Fran Bentley, Kaylan Marckese, Satara Murray and Rachel Furness.

Chelsea loanee Brooke Aspin is also expected to miss out after sustaining a knee injury in last month's defeat to Man United.

Having scored five times in nine WSL appearances, Danish attacker Amalie Thestrup represents one of the home side's main goal threats.

As for the Blues, they are still without Millie Bright, Aniek Nouwen, Jelena Cankovic, Katerina Svitkova and Catarina Macario.

Melanie Leupolz and Ashley Lawrence are set to return to training ahead of Sunday's contest, and the duo could provide Hayes with useful options for the bench.

The Chelsea boss has also hinted that 19-year-old Japan forward Maika Hamano could be involved in the matchday squad.

Bristol City Women possible starting lineup:

Clark; Powell, Layzell, Connolly, Mustaki, Napier; Morgan, Rodgers, Syme, Thestrup; Harrison

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:

Musovic; Perisset, Buchanan, Carter, Charles; Nusken, Cuthbert; Rytting Kaneryd, Fleming, James; Kerr

We say: Bristol City Women 0-3 Chelsea Women

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