Real Madrid Femenino and Chelsea Women will battle it out for top spot in Group B when they face off in Tuesday's Women's Champions League clash.
Las Blancas will head into matchday six in second position with three points separating them from group leaders Chelsea.
Match preview
Real Madrid Women's Signe Bruun and Linda Caicedo celebrate after a goal on October 17, 2024© Imago
Real Madrid will be proud of their efforts in the UWCL last season, securing a place in the quarter-finals to put last season's group-stage exit behind them.
Las Blancas bounced back from a defeat against Chelsea to record four consecutive European victories, including 4-0 and 7-0 wins in their home games against Celtic and Twente respectively.
They followed those dominant home displays with a narrow away win against Twente, before they eased to a 3-0 win in last week's clash with Celtic thanks to a Signe Bruun brace and an Alba Redondo effort.
Bruun and Redondo both found the net again in Saturday's league game against Deportivo La Coruna, with Las Blancos coming from behind to claim a 4-1 victory at Estadio Abanca-Riazor.
Having recorded four consecutive victories in all competitions, Real Madrid will carry momentum into Tuesday's European fixture, knowing that another win will be enough to clinch top spot in Group B.
Chelsea Women's Millie Bright in action on December 11, 2024© Imago
Chelsea will head into matchday six in pole position after winning each of their five group games under Sonia Bompastor's stewardship.
The Blues dispatched Real Madrid via a 3-2 scoreline, before they recorded away victories over Twente and Celtic.
After cruising to a 3-0 home win against Celtic, Chelsea went on to claim another comfortable victory in last week's clash against Twente at Stamford Bridge, with Catarina Macario, Oriane Jean-Francois, Mayra Ramirez, Erin Cuthbert, Sjoeke Nusken and Eve Perisset all finding the net in a 6-1 victory.
Unfortunately for the Blues, their 100% record under Bompastor was ended by a frustrating 1-1 draw in Saturday's Women's Super League meeting with relegation-threatened Leicester City.
Chelsea still remain unbeaten under the former Lyon boss, and they will clinch top spot in their UWCL group if they can extend Bompastor's 15-game undefeated streak in Tuesday's trip to the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.
Real Madrid Femenino Women's Champions League form:
Real Madrid Femenino form (all competitions):
W
L
W
W
W
W
Chelsea Women Women's Champions League form:
Chelsea Women form (all competitions):
Team News
Chelsea Women's Lauren James on October 12, 2024© Imago
Real Madrid may have to cope without the services of Maelle Lakrar, who has sat out the last two matches due to an injury issue.
After making several changes at the weekend, Alberto Toril could recall Oihane Hernandez, Sandie Toletti, Caroline Weir, Filippa Angeldal, Naomie Feller and Linda Caicedo.
Bruun will be looking to continue her scintillating form after scoring seven goals in her last five matches for club and country.
As for the visitors, they are having to cope with a significant injury list which includes Sophie Ingle, Mia Fishel Sam Kerr, Lauren James, Kadiesha Buchanan and Aniek Nouwen.
Maelys Mpome and Julia Bartel are both struggling with squad injuries, although there is a small possibility the latter could feature in the matchday squad.
France international Sandy Baltimore will have to be assessed after missing the last three matches due to a knee issue.
Real Madrid Femenino possible starting lineup:
Misa; Hernandez, Galvez, Mendez, Carmona; Toletti, Weir, Angeldal; Feller, Caicedo, Bruun
Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:
Hampton; Bronze, Bjorn, Bright, Charles; Nusken, Kaptein; Rytting Kaneryd, Macario, Reiten; Ramirez
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We say: Real Madrid Femenino 1-2 Chelsea Women
Real Madrid provided Chelsea with a stern test in the return fixture, and we expect Tuesday's clash to be another close-fought contest, but we believe the Blues have the extra quality required to claim a narrow victory against the Spanish side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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