In the first round of Women's Super League fixtures of the new year, Arsenal Women will play host to Chelsea Women in a top-of-the-table clash.

The Gunners, who sit in second place in the WSL table, are currently three points adrift of Chelsea, who have played one game more.

Match preview

Arsenal would have been pleased with their efforts in the first half of the season, winning eight of their nine league games, as well as securing their place in the Champions League knockout rounds.

With the Gunners dreaming of winning their first league title since the 2018-19 campaign, they have delved into the transfer market in a bid to strengthen their squad.

Victoria Pelova, Kathrine Kuhl and Sabrina D'Angelo have all arrived on permanent deals, while Gio Queiroz has been recalled from her loan spell with Everton.

As they prepare to face their title rivals, Arsenal can call upon the best defensive record in the league after conceding just five goals in the first half of the season - three of those were shipped in one game when they were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United in November.

Arsenal won nine, drew one and lost one of their 11 home league games in 2022, and they will be hoping that impressive run of form can transfer into the new year.

Meanwhile, Chelsea enter the second half of the campaign with the aim of winning their fourth consecutive league title.

The Blues are unbeaten since losing to Liverpool on the opening weekend of the season, winning 14 and drawing one of their last 15 games in all competitions.

That impressive run of form also includes a run of nine consecutive league victories, where they scored at least two goals in every win, while they also managed to keep five clean sheets in that period.

Having scored 31 goals across their 10 WSL matches this term, they will be confident that they can trouble a usually dependable Arsenal defence.

Chelsea can also draw inspiration from their recent head-to-head record, after winning nine of their last 12 competitive meetings with the Gunners.

Team News

Arsenal are without the services of long-term absentees Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, who are both sidelines with anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

D'Angelo only joined the club on Friday, and as a result, the goalkeeper is unlikely to be involved against Chelsea, although fellow January signings Pelova and Kuhl are expected to be on the bench.

Stina Blackstenius has scored seven goals across all competitions this term, and the Sweden international will want to add to that tally when she leads the line on Sunday.

As for the visitors, Emma Hayes is unable to call upon Pernille Harder, who is out for an extended period after undergoing hamstring surgery in November.

Bethany England will not be an option for the Chelsea boss, after the forward joined London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent transfer.

Having scored 10 competitive goals this season, Sam Kerr will have the responsibility of leading the Chelsea line against Arsenal.

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:
Zinsberger; Wienroither, Wubben-Moy, Rafaelle, Catley; Maanum, Williamson, Walti; McCabe, Foord, Blackstenius

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:
Berger; Charles, Buchanan, Bright, Eriksson; Cuthbert, Ingle; James, Kirby, Reiten; Kerr

We say: Arsenal Women 1-1 Chelsea Women

Although Chelsea have fared well in recent head-to-head meetings, Arsenal have the best defensive record in the WSL, and we think that they will hold the league leaders to a draw on Sunday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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