West Hamvs.Chelsea Women

Meanwhile, the Hammers will be hoping to spring a surprise and end their three-game winless run in the Women's Super League.

Match preview

West Ham are currently languishing in 11th position in the WSL table, having won three, drawn three and lost 10 of their 16 league matches this season.

Since claiming back-to-back victories over Bristol City and Arsenal, the Hammers have gone on to take just one point from their next three matches.

They followed a 2-0 defeat to Everton with a respectable 1-1 draw against Manchester United, but the Hammers were unable to build upon that result in last Sunday's away meeting with Liverpool.

Leanne Kiernan, Missy Bo Kearns and Sophie Roman Haug all got on the scoresheet, before Riko Ueki netted a late consolation in a disappointing 3-1 loss.

Although they will be the obvious underdogs for Sunday's contest, the Hammers may be able to draw some inspiration from the fact they have taken four points from their last two home matches.

Chelsea will return to WSL action after cruising to a 3-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Ajax.

Lauren James opened the scoring at the Johan Cruyff Arena, before Sjoeke Nusken netted a brace to give Chelsea a sizeable lead ahead of Wednesday's return leg at Stamford Bridge.

Having racked up 40 points from their 16 league matches, the reigning WSL champions head into the weekend in pole position due to their slight goal difference advantage over second-placed Manchester City.

After racking up 48 league goals this season, the WSL's highest scorers will believe they have the firepower required to cause considerable damage to a West Ham side that has the third-worst defensive record in the top flight.

Emma Hayes's side have also won each of their last nine league matches against West Ham since being held to a 1-1 draw in March 2019.

West Ham United Women Women's Super League form:

L

W

W

L

D

L

West Ham United Women form (all competitions):

Chelsea Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

W

L

W

W

Chelsea Women form (all competitions):

Team News

West Ham are expected to be without the midfield duo of Abbey-Leigh Stringer and Kristie Mewis due to their respective injury issues.

Republic of Ireland international Jess Ziu could come back into the starting lineup after dropping down to the bench for the defeat to Liverpool.

Ueki and Vivianne Asseyi will offer West Ham's main goal threats, having scored 10 of West Ham's 17 league goals between them.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's considerable injury list includes the defensive trio of Millie Bright, Aniek Nouwen and Maren Mjelde.

Mia Fishel and Sam Kerr are also sidelined, while a late decision will be made on the availability of Nathalie Bjorn and Mayra Ramirez.

After utilising the same side for the last two matches, Hayes could be tempted to rotate her squad, with the likes of Ashley Lawrence, Jelena Cankovic, Sophie Ingle and Aggie Beever-Jones all in contention to start.

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:

Arnold; Cissoko, Tysiak, Zadorsky; Shimizu, Hayashi, Gorry, Smith; Snerle, Asseyi; Ueki

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:

Hampton; Lawrence, Carter, Buchanan, Charles; Cuthbert, Ingle; James, Cankovic, Reiten; Beever-Jones

We say: West Ham United Women 1-3 Chelsea Women

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