This is a Chelsea Women predicted lineup as they face a second of four consecutive matches with Manchester City Women. The Champions League Quarter Final is the stage this time after the Subway Cup Final between the two at the weekend which saw the Blues emerge as 2-1 winners to life the trophy. With the tie this time not at a neutral ground and instead in the Joie Stadium, it will be tough for Sonia Bompastor to mastermind another win, especially after the intense 90-minute clash just days ago.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City in UWCL Tie
How Chelsea Women Have Lined Up Recently
Hannah Hampton has started every match in goal. In defence, the centre back pairing has been Millie Bright and Nathalie Bjorn with all other senior players in that position out injured. Sandy Baltimore is usually the left back but Niamh Charles has also appeared there at times. Lucy Bronze is the starting right back with Ashley Lawrence deputising.
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In midfield, Erin Cuthbert and Sjoeke Nusken is clearly the strongest pairing with Kiera Walsh out injured. Oriane Jean-Francois and Wieke Kaptein can also play there but find it tough to get past the three top-tier options.
In attacking midfield the options are Cat Macario or Maika Hamano with the two offering different skillsets. They are supported by Lauren James and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd as the usual wingers. Aggie Beever-Jones can play on the wing, as can Sandy Baltimore, with Mayra Ramirez trusted up front. Beever-Jones also offers rotation for Ramirez despite the recent return of Mia Fishel.
Chelsea Women Recent Form and Tactics
Bompastor has played some variation of a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1/4-1-4-1 for the most part with a brief switch to a 3-4-3/3-5-2 proving to be ineffective. With this flexibility she’s managed to adapt to each opponent and remains undefeated since making the move from Lyon to London. Not only is she unbeaten but she has won all but two games.
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One slight worry is on the goalkeeping, after being a wall most attackers couldn’t get past, the squad have only kept one clean sheet in their last six outings, a number of which could be pinned on Hampton as mistakes. So far, the Blues haven’t failed to score in a match this season which has kept them unbeaten but tightening up the defence could be key to their ambitions of a quadruple.
Chelsea Women Injuries to Consider
Kadeisha Buchanan and Sophie Ingle are out until the end of the season with ACL injuries. Naomi Girma is dealing with a calf problem that she’s had since joining from the San Diego Wave while Femke Liefting never got to play after her January move and has an injury. Guro Reiten returned from the international break with a back injury and doesn’t appear to be ready for this one. Zecira Musovic is out for the season with her pregnancy.
The manager confirmed that Walsh is fit to return and that there are no new other worries, meaning Girma, Reiten, Musovic, Buchanan, Ingle, and Liefting are the only absentees. In addition, Fishel is not registered for this competition and won’t play.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup
GK – Hannah Hampton
LB – Niamh Charles
CB – Millie Bright
CB – Nathalie Bjorn
RB – Lucy Bronze
DM – Erin Cuthbert
DM – Keira Walsh
AM – Maika Hamano
W – Lauren James
W – Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
ST – Mayra Ramirez