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Apr 17, 2022 at 12.30pm UK
Arsenal Women
0 - 2
Chelsea Women

Mead (48')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Reiten (50'), So-yun (61')
Cuthbert (65')

Preview: Arsenal Women vs. Chelsea Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Women's FA Cup clash between Arsenal Women and Chelsea Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Arsenal Women and Chelsea Women will battle it out on Sunday for a place in the Women's FA Cup final.

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:
  • W
  • W
  • W

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W

Chelsea Women Women's FA Cup form:
  • W
  • W
  • W

Chelsea Women form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W



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


SM words green background

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

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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How you voted: Arsenal Women vs Chelsea Women

Arsenal Women
40.0%
Draw
0.0%
Chelsea Women
60.0%
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Arsenal Women manager Jonas Eidevall on March 30, 2022
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