WCL: Chelsea vs Hacken- prediction, team news, lineups
The Women’s Champions League (WCL) is back in action this Thursday night with Chelsea facing BK Hacken at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues will be looking to bounce back from their shocking 4-1 thumping, courtesy of Arsenal, in front of a record-breaking crowd of almost 60,000 – at the Emirates.
Chelsea are currently in second place in Group D whilst the Swedish team are two points ahead and sits at the top of the group.
Real Madrid and Paris FC make up the rest of the group.
Chelsea vs Hacken Match Preview
Chelsea have had a strong start to their campaign, having not lost a game and taking four points from their opening matches.
They were controversially held to a draw against Real Madrid when a late winner was wrongly ruled out as being offside – reopening the argument about VAR being needed in the women’s game.
Their match against Paris FC saw Chelsea back in winning mode – Sam Kerr scored a hat-trick and the game ended 4-1.
The WSL match at the Emirates was the first loss in a 10-game unbeaten streak in all competitions for the Blues.
But they must put their disappointment behind them as they still have an impressive home form – winning their last 10 competitive home matches since losing to Barcelona in April.
Hacken are shockingly leaders of the group after they beat Paris FC and Real Madrid, seeing 2-1 victories.
Hacken went down during the Real Madrid game but thanks to Rosa Kafaji and Katariina Kosola, the Swedish club fought their way back to a victory.
They currently have a five-point cushion to third place Real Madrid while they are also six points clear of Paris FC.
They have not played since last month’s win against the Spanish side, but are heading to London off the back of four straight wins in all competitions.
They no doubt will be going into the game confident in their abilities, confident of their ability to fight back if they do go behind and confident in their ability to perform well away from home.
Team News
Chelsea will be without defender Millie Bright (knee), Katerina Svitkova, Aniek Nouwen, Jelena Cankovic and Catarina Macario – all are injured, with Bright confirmed out until the new year.
Rytting Kaneryd, who joined Chelsea from Hacken, is expected to start against her old club.
As for Hacken, they will be without Anna Csiki (knee) and Stine Larsen (knee), who are both sidelined with injuries.
Aisha Masaka was benched for the Real Madrid clash but could return to the starting lineup tonight.
Masaka will likely feature upfront but Kafaji, who’s scored in each of her last three club appearances, could also feature upfront.
Predicted lineups
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Berger; Perisset, Mjelde, Carter, Charles; Nusken, Cuthert; Rytting Kaneryd, Kirby, James; Kerr
BK Hacken possible starting lineup:
Falk; Kosala, Rybrink, Luik, Nelhage; Bergman-Lundin, Curmark; Anvegard, Kafaji, Sandberg; Masaka
WTX Sports predicts
Chelsea 3-1 Hacken
Despite a thrilling start to the competition, we think Chelsea will outclass Hacken and secure all three points. No doubt Emma Hayes will make sure her team puts the Arsenal loss behind them and refocuses. Hayes leaves Chelsea at the end of the season and the Blues will be looking to send her off with a Champions League trophy to her name.