Chelsea Women host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in an early test between two unbeaten Women’s Super League sides. The 4.30pm BST kick-off is the fourth league fixture of Chelsea’s season.
The club’s fixture announcement lists Arsenal at home on 27 September. It is Chelsea’s first London derby of this WSL campaign, with Stamford Bridge now the women’s team’s league home. The fixture is a chance to measure both sides against a direct rival, not a title decider in September.
What the early numbers say
According to Opta Analyst’s 25 September match preview, Chelsea drew with Aston Villa and then beat Manchester United and Birmingham City, while Arsenal beat Brighton and drew with Crystal Palace and United. Both enter this fixture unbeaten in the league, although champions Manchester City have set the early pace.
Opta reports that Chelsea have conceded only once in their opening three WSL matches and have allowed 14 shots, the fewest of any side at this stage. Arsenal have scored only twice in three league games despite creating chances. Those figures describe the opening weeks, not what either team will produce on Sunday.
There is recent history behind the fixture. Arsenal won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in the league last season, according to Opta, but neither side has yet found its best attacking form this term. That result is context, not a forecast for Sunday.
Where the game is
Chelsea’s move to Stamford Bridge means this derby takes place at the same ground as all their home WSL fixtures this season. The club says the permanent home is meant to give players and supporters a more consistent matchday setting.
The teams meet at Stamford Bridge at 4.30pm BST on Sunday 27 September. Line-ups and any late availability changes should be checked against the clubs’ matchday announcements, rather than predicted from earlier reports. For more Chelsea coverage, visit our Chelsea News page.
