Preview: FC Twente Women vs. Chelsea Women – prediction, team news, lineups.
By: Ben Sully
Published: October 15, 2024 | 18:23.
Last update: October 16, 2024 | 11:28.
will compete in the Women’s Champions League against FC Twente Women in the Netherlands on Thursday, hoping to continue their unbeaten season.
On matchday one, the Blues defeated Real Madrid, while the hosts won away against Scottish champions Celtic.
Twente is making its debut appearance in the Women’s Champions League group stage, having advanced via qualification.
The Dutch champions eliminated Cardiff City and Valur in the first qualifying round before defeating Osijek 8-1 on aggregate to secure their place in the main draw.
Twente had a 2-0 away win over Celtic in their opening group encounter, with Kayleigh van Dooren scoring both goals.
They would have been dissatisfied with Saturday’s match against Excelsior, in which Twente needed an 80th-minute equalizer to preserve a 1-1 home tie.
While they may have been disappointed with the outcome, they will be happy that the draw extended their undefeated streak to nine competitive matches.
They’ll have their job cut out to keep their undefeated streak going in their first Women’s Champions League match against Chelsea.
Chelsea has won their first four matches under Sonia Bompastor, so they will be confident as they head to the Netherlands.
The former Lyon manager began her tenure with league victories over Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, before her team defeated Real Madrid in last week’s European match at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea won 3-2 with goals from Sjoeke Nusken, Guro Reiten, and Mayra Ramirez, extending their undefeated streak over Real Madrid to five matches.
The Blues won their Women’s Super League match against Arsenal 2-1, with to goals from Ramirez and Sandy Baltimore in the first 20 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea has now gone seven competitive matches without defeat after losing 4-3 to Liverpool in May’s WSL fixture.
The WSL champions will want to continue their undefeated streak on Thursday, having won seven and drawn three of their previous ten away European champions.
FC Twente Women’s Champions League Form:
W, W, W, and W
FC Twente Women’s Results (All Competitions): W W W D W D
Chelsea Women’s Champions League record: W.
Chelsea Women’s Form (All Competitions): W W W W W
Team News
Liz Rijsbergen, a striker for Twente, has been out of play since April due to a knee injury.
Twente manager Joran Pot could revert to the side that started the triumph over Celtic, following extensive changes over the weekend.
Nikee van Dijk will lead the line, hoping to add to her six goals since joining from Leuven in the summer.
Chelsea are still without Sam Kerr, Sophie Ingle, Mia Fishel, Niamh Charles, and Aniek Nouwen.
Erin Cuthbert, a Scotland international, is vying for a starting berth after returning from an injury to play as a substitute against Arsenal.
Ramirez will have the opportunity to score for the third straight game as she leads the line against the Dutch champs.
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