Chelsea will be hoping to close the gap on Barclays FA Women’s Super League leaders Arsenal to five points when they travel to The Chigwell Construction Stadium to face West Ham United on Thursday evening.
The Blues currently have three games in-hand on The Gunners with Emma Hayes’ side having been focused on domestic cup football in the last couple of weeks.
Chelsea’s latest opponents West Ham United bounced back to winning ways with a 1-0 Vitality Women’s FA Cup fifth round victory over Reading last time out. The East Londoners have had much better luck with injuries this season and manager Olli Harder reported a fully-fit squad for his side’s last game. Forward Adriana Leon is pushing for a start after recently returning to fitness while manager Harder has some difficult decisions to make in the central areas with Dagny Bryjarsdottir and Hawa Cissoko amongst those players who will be hoping to earn recalls to the starting XI.
Chelsea manager Hayes continues to be without Fran Kirby (COVID) and Erin Cuthbert (hamstring) while Jessie Fleming is doubtful with the player due another COVID test. Captain Magda Eriksson will also miss the game with the virus. Midfielder Melanie Leupolz will not appear for The Blues again this season after announcing her pregnancy earlier this week.
The Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture between West Ham United and Chelsea kicks-off at 7.45pm on Thursday evening.