Preview: Chelsea Women vs. Tottenham Hotspur Ladies - prediction, team news, lineups

Two London rivals will face off in the Women's Super League on Sunday when Chelsea Women face Tottenham Hotspur Ladies at a sold-out Stamford Bridge.

The hosts have won their last eight games in all competitions, while Spurs thrashed Brighton & Hove Albion 8-0 in their most recent outing.

Match preview

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Chelsea have not dropped a point in the WSL since they lost to Liverpool on the opening day of the season, and as a result, they sit in second place and level on points with league leaders Arsenal who have played one game more ahead of the weekend's round of fixtures.

The Blues have the chance to claim a ninth consecutive victory in all competitions this weekend after they extended their winning run when they faced Manchester United before the international break.

Following a goalless first half, Sam Kerr netted the opener on the hour mark to become the first player to score a league goal against Man United this season.

Lauren James wasted little time in doubling the advantage, and although Alessia Russo pulled a goal back, Erin Cuthbert scored in the 91st minute to wrap up a 3-1 victory, which ended Man United's 100% record in the WSL.

The Blues have also received a boost ahead of Sunday's contest, with Emma Hayes set to return to the touchline after the club announced on October 14 that their manager had to step back from work to undergo an emergency hysterectomy due to endometriosis.

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Due to their home meeting with Everton being postponed and the recent international break, Tottenham will return to action for the first time in three weeks.

Their most recent encounter proved to be a memorable affair as Spurs thumped Brighton 8-0 to record their biggest-ever win in the WSL.

Ashleigh Neville, Drew Spence and Jessica Naz all scored two goals apiece against the Seagulls, while Molly Bartrip and Nikola Karczewska also got on the scoresheet.

Rehanne Skinner's side head into the weekend in fifth place after collecting nine points from their opening five league games.

Although they will be keen to add to their tally, both of their defeats this season have come against sides that finished in the WSL top three last season, with Spurs set to face the reigning English champions on Sunday, they will be aware that they have their work cut out to claim a positive result.

Team News

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Chelsea are unable to call upon Melanie Leupolz who is currently on maternity leave, while Pernille Harder could miss out after picking up an injury on international duty with Denmark.

With Harder expected to be unavailable, Hayes could bring Johanna Rytting Kaneryd into the starting lineup for Sunday's contest.

Kerr will continue to lead the line for the Blues, and she will be looking to continue her impressive form after scoring in each of her last five games for club and country.

As for the visitors, they are without the services of long-term injury absentees Ria Percival, Kyah Simon and Ellie Brazil,

Karczewska is also ruled out for Tottenham due to an ankle problem, and she could be replaced in the starting lineup by Naz, who came off the bench to score a brace against Brighton.

Neville has scored four goals in all competitions this season, and the 29-year-old will have the chance to add to her tally on Sunday when she features on the left flank.

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:

Berger; Buchanan, Bright, Eriksson; Charles, Cuthbert, Ingle, Reiten; James, Kaneryd, Kerr

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies possible starting lineup:

Korpela; Turner, Bartrip, Zadorsky, Ale; Ildhusoy, James, Summanen, Neville; Naz, Spence

We say: Chelsea Women 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur Ladies

Although Tottenham claimed a historic victory against Brighton, we think that they will be swept aside by a Chelsea side who have won their last seven home league games.

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