The Gunners are the record winners of the competition, and they are harbouring hopes of winning the FA Cup for the 15th time, while Chelsea are aiming to retain the trophy.

Match preview

Arsenal Women's Beth Mead celebrates scoring their first goal with Kim Little on April 3, 2022 © Reuters

Arsenal are aiming to win the FA Cup for the first time since 2016, but in their way stands their Women's Super League title rivals Chelsea.

The semi-final encounter against Chelsea represents the first time that Arsenal have faced WSL opposition in the FA Cup this season after ousting three Championship sides on their way to the final four.

The Gunners began their FA Cup journey with a narrow 1-0 victory over London City Lionesses before they upped the ante in the next two rounds.

Liverpool were thumped 4-0 before Jonas Eidevall's side repeated that scoreline in the quarter-final tie with Coventry United.

Eidevall's charges may have suffered disappointment in the Champions League after losing out to Wolfsburg in the quarter-final, but they enter Sunday's contest full of confidence after avoiding defeat in their last 11 domestic games.

Chelsea Women's Magdalena Eriksson celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 20, 2022 © Reuters

Unlike their opponents, Chelsea have faced WSL opposition all through the tournament as they look to retain the FA Cup trophy that they lifted last season.

The Blues ousted Aston Villa in the last 16 before they brushed aside Leicester City courtesy of an emphatic 7-0 scoreline.

Emma Hayes's side then cruised to another impressive victory in the quarter-final as they condemned Birmingham City to a 5-0 defeat.

That win over Birmingham features in Chelsea's current run of six consecutive victories, with the Blues winning their last six games by an aggregate 27-1 scoreline.

Like Arsenal, the Blues are also dreaming of achieving the double and after beating the Gunners in last season's final, Hayes's charges will be confident that they have the resources to progress on Sunday.

Arsenal Women Women's FA Cup form:

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

Chelsea Women Women's FA Cup form:

Chelsea Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Arsenal Women manager Jonas Eidevall on March 30, 2022 © Reuters

The hosts could welcome back Rafaelle and Mana Iwabuchi from their respective injury layoffs, although the pair may have to settle for places on the bench.

Eidevall has a decision to make at right-back, with Laura Wienroither and Noelle Maritz vying for the spot, although the latter may get the nod.

Vivianne Miedema has scored nine goals across her last three appearances for club and country - including a six-goal haul against Cyprus - and the Netherlands international will need to be on form if the Gunners are to progress to the FA Cup final.

As for Chelsea, it was announced on Friday that Fran Kirby will be out for an indefinite period due to an ongoing issue.

Hayes has stated that she expects Pernille Harder to return to the squad, although it remains to be seen if the Denmark international is fit enough for a starting spot.

One of Chelsea's main goal threats will come from Sam Kerr, who is in scintillating form after scoring 13 goals across her previous nine appearances for club and country.

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:
Zinsberger; Maritz, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Catley; Little, Miedema, Walti; Mead, McCabe, Blackstenius

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:
Musovic; Bright, Nouwen, Eriksson; Carter, Fleming, Ingle, Cuthbert, Reiten; England, Kerr

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We say: Arsenal Women 1-2 Chelsea Women

Chelsea beat Arsenal 3-0 in last season's FA Cup final, and though the Gunners are in impressive domestic form, the Blues have upped the ante in their recent games, and we think that they will continue to flourish by squeezing past Arsenal on Sunday.

Top tip

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Written by
Ben Sully

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Chelsea Women win with a probability of 47.81%. A win for Arsenal Women had a probability of 27.84% and a draw had a probability of 24.3%.

The most likely scoreline for a Chelsea Women win was 0-1 with a probability of 9.56%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (9.44%) and 0-2 (7.87%). The likeliest Arsenal Women win was 1-0 (6.97%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (11.47%). The actual scoreline of 0-2 was predicted with a 7.9% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole and our data analysis both correctly predicted that Chelsea Women would win this match.