Chelsea and Arsenal have made significant adjustments to their starting XIs as the London rivals prepare to face off in the Women’s Super League at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has opted for four changes following her team’s midweek UEFA Women’s Champions League victory against Austria Wien. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton returns to the side in place of Livia Peng, while defender Lucy Bronze is back in the lineup and assumes the captain’s armband. Key players Keira Walsh and Lauren James have both overcome fitness doubts to make the starting lineup.
On the opposing side, Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers has shaken up her team with six changes following a narrow European win earlier in the week. Veteran midfielder Kim Little reaches a milestone by making her 184th WSL appearance from the start, equalling the record for the most appearances for a single club in the competition. Several other players, including Lisa Baum and Ona Batlle, return to the first team to bolster the Gunners.
Confirmed Starting Lineups
Chelsea XI: Hampton, Carpenter, Malard, James, Thompson, McCabe, Kaptein, Walsh, Bronze (C), Buchanan, Potter
Arsenal XI: Borbe, Fox, Williamson, Catley, Batlle, Little (C), Stanway, Cooney-Cross, Mariona, Baum, Russo
Both undefeated sides head into the fixture looking to strengthen their positions near the top of the Women’s Super League table.
