Chelsea Women could make several changes when Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Sonia Bompastor facing major decisions over Keira Walsh and Lauren James.
The Blues return to Women’s Super League action after Wednesday’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Austria Wien, when Wieke Kaptein’s spectacular strike secured three points.
However, Walsh was forced off after only 20 minutes after feeling pain in her calf.
James also missed the European victory with the small knock that has kept her out of Chelsea’s last two matches.
Bompastor confirmed in her latest Chelsea team-news update that neither player’s availability can yet be guaranteed, with another training session required before final decisions are made.
Here is our Chelsea Women predicted XI vs Arsenal.
Chelsea Women predicted XI vs Arsenal
Predicted Chelsea XI: Hampton; Carpenter, Buchanan, Buurman, McCabe; Nüsken, Potter, Kaptein; Thompson, Malard, Baltimore.
Hannah Hampton should return in goal
Hannah Hampton was rested in Europe as Livia Peng produced an impressive display against Austria Wien.
Bompastor has regularly rotated her goalkeepers during busy periods, but Hampton has started all three of Chelsea’s WSL fixtures this season.
That makes an immediate return against Arsenal the most likely call.
Chelsea have a Naomi Girma decision
Ellie Carpenter and Katie McCabe should return as Chelsea’s first-choice full-backs, while Kadeisha Buchanan has started the last three matches.
Naomi Girma is now training fully and was available from the bench against Austria Wien.
However, Bompastor has stressed the need for the defender to build consistency after her injury problems.
Veerle Buurman has meanwhile played significant minutes during Chelsea’s unbeaten league start, so using Girma from the bench again would avoid unnecessarily accelerating her workload.
Lexi Potter can replace Keira Walsh
Walsh is the biggest selection concern.
Chelsea’s latest Walsh injury update explains how the midfielder was replaced by Lexi Potter after only 20 minutes on Wednesday.
With the Arsenal game arriving just four days later, starting Walsh would represent a risk unless she comes through Chelsea’s final assessment completely clear.
Potter is the obvious replacement.
The academy graduate has already started Chelsea’s last two WSL matches and scored against Birmingham City.
Wieke Kaptein should also be extremely difficult to leave out after her Player-of-the-Match display and winning goal against Austria Wien.
Kaptein, Potter and Sjoeke Nüsken therefore looks the safest midfield prediction.
Lauren James could start on the bench
James represents the other major decision.
Chelsea originally hoped the England international would return for Arsenal after she suffered a knock in training, but Bompastor’s latest update on James stopped short of declaring her available.
There is little reason to gamble with her fitness when Bompastor has other attacking options.
Melvine Malard played the opening 45 minutes against Austria Wien as part of a pre-planned workload and has been confirmed available for Sunday.
Alyssa Thompson should retain her position on the right, while Sandy Baltimore offers another experienced option from the left.
James could then become an extremely dangerous option from the bench if she passes her final fitness test.
Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday at 4.30pm BST, with our Chelsea Women vs Arsenal TV and live-stream guide containing all the viewing information ahead of the London derby.
Chelsea vs Arsenal Women: TV channel and live stream
Chelsea Match Previews & Reports
Chelsea Women predicted XI vs Austria Wien as Bompastor rotates
Chelsea Match Previews & Reports