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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):

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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

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