Following a defeat to newly promoted Liverpool last weekend, Chelsea Women will look to get their title defence up and running when they play host to Manchester City Women on Sunday.

Like their opponents, the visitors are also searching for their first points of the season after losing 4-3 to Aston Villa on the opening day.

Match preview

After claiming a third consecutive WSL title last season, the reigning champions would have been hopeful of beginning the new campaign with a victory when they faced newly-promoted Liverpool last weekend.

Chelsea looked well set to clinch all three points when Fran Kirby dispatched her third-minute penalty, but Liverpool turned the game on its head in the second half.

Katie Stengel levelled from the spot in the 67th minute, and when Liverpool were awarded the third penalty of the game in the closing stages, Stengel assumed responsibility once again to condemn Chelsea to a 2-1 defeat.

After losing in the league for the first time in 2022, the Blues will look to claim their first win of the season when they face Man City.

Ahead of their first home match, Chelsea can take confidence from the fact that they have won 14 of their previous 15 home league games.

Unlike the rest of the WSL, Man City are already three games into the 202-23 season after being involved in Champions League qualifying, which began with a comprehensive 6-1 win over Tomiris Turan.

However, City's Champions League journey was quickly ended by Real Madrid who claimed a 1-0 victory following a winner from Caroline Weir, who scored against her former club after leaving in the summer.

After being eliminated from the Champions League, Gareth Taylor's side had nearly a month to prepare for their WSL opener against Aston Villa.

Despite trailing 2-0 after 32 minutes, a Laura Coombs brace and a Khadija Shaw strike helped the Citizens fight back to take a 3-2 lead.

Although, the drama continued to unfold as Kenza Dali quickly equalised before Rachel Daly scored her second goal of the game to wrap up a memorable victory for Villa.

The opening-day defeat ended City's run of nine consecutive league wins, but they have scored at least three goals in their previous five WSL matches.

Team News

Chelsea are doubtful over the availability of Pernille Harder who had to be withdrawn from the starting lineup against Liverpool after sustaining a hamstring injury in the warm-up.

Despite giving away a penalty on her Chelsea debut, Kadeisha Buchanan will retain her place in the back three alongside Millie Bright and Magdalena Eriksson.

Although Chelsea were unable to clinch a positive result last weekend, Hayes may opt to name an unchanged lineup for Sunday's contest.

As for Man City, Yui Hasegawa and Ruby Mace are expected to miss due to injury issues, although Alanna Kennedy could be fit enough to make the matchday squad.

After coming off the bench at half time against Aston Villa, Mary Fowler could start in a midfield three alongside Laia Aleixandri and Combs.

Meanwhile, Euro 2022 winners Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp will provide support from wide areas for Shaw who will operate as a central striker.

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

Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:
Roebuck; Morgan, Houghton, Greenwood, Stokes; Fowler, Aleixandri, Coombs; Kelly, Hemp, Shaw

We say: Chelsea Women 2-1 Manchester City Women

The two sides met on four occasions last season, including in the 2022 FA Cup final which Chelsea won on penalties, and after winning their last three home WSL games against Man City, we think that the Blues will prevail on Sunday.

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

Previews by email