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

While the Blues beat Paris Saint-Germain in their Women's Champions League opener, Vllaznia are searching for their first win of the group stage after losing to Real Madrid last week.

Match preview

After failing to make it out of the group stage last season, Chelsea are determined to enjoy are far more successful European campaign this time around.

The early signs are positive as they began the competition with a narrow 1-0 victory away to Paris Saint-Germain last week after Millie Bright scored what proved to be the winning goal in the first half.

Another victory followed on a damp Sunday evening in Crawley on Sunday, as goals from Beth England and Pernille Harder secured Chelsea a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Following their weekend result, Chelsea have now won their last five games in all competitions by a combined 11-2 scoreline.

Although the Blues have won only one of their last four Champions League home games, their recent form will give them the confidence to begin the group stage with back-to-back victories.

Meanwhile, Vllaznia sealed their place in the group stage for the first time after beating Spartak Myjava and Vorskla Poltava in qualifying.

The Albanian champions have been given a tough group alongside Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid, where points may be hard to come by.

Vllaznia may have only lost 2-0 to Los Blancos last week, but they failed to register a single shot, while Real Madrid hit the target on 12 occasions.

Despite beating Lushnja 5-0 in the league at the weekend, Vllaznia will be well aware that they face another difficult challenge on Wednesday.

After keeping Real Madrid to just two goals in their group opener, Nikolin Leka's side will be looking for another strong display from her goalkeeper and defence if they are to compete with the English champions.

Chelsea Women Women's Champions League form:

W

Chelsea Women form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

W

W

Vllaznia Women Women's Champions League form:

Vllaznia Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Chelsea will be without the services of Melanie Leupolz, while Fran Kirby and Jelena Cankovic are doubts for Wednesday's contest.

Due to the busy fixture schedule, Chelsea made a number of changes at the weekend, but they are expected to name a similar lineup to the one that started against PSG.

Although she has only scored once in six games this season, Sam Kerr will be the player that is tasked with leading the line for the Blues.

As for the visitors, Kaylin Williams-Mosier will be preparing herself for another busy game in the Vllaznia goal.

With Leka expected to select the same starting XI that featured against Real Madrid, Williams-Mosier will be shielded by the central defensive pairing of Alexus Knox and Sara Maliqi.

Meanwhile, Tarah Patterson and Maria Bashka will look to offer the goal threat for the visitors after struggling for chances last week.

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:

Berger; Bright, Buchanan, Eriksson; Charles, Cuthbert, Ingle, Reiten; Harder, James, Kerr

Vllaznia Women possible starting lineup:

Williams-Mosier; Popovic, Knox, Maliqi, Gjini; Berisha, Franja, Cavanaugh, Doci; Patterson, Baska

We say: Chelsea Women 4-0 Vllaznia Women

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