Chelsea Women v Arsenal Women predictions: Blues can show class at Kingsmeadow

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Chelsea v Arsenal in the Women's Super League on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Premier League, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Chelsea
2pts 8-11 bet365

Match preview

A potential title-decider in the Women’s Super League takes centre stage on Friday night as second-placed Chelsea welcome pacesetters Arsenal to Kingsmeadow.

While the Gunners lead the way in the table, Chelsea have a game in hand over their London rivals and can leapfrog Arsenal into top spot with victory.

That is what bookmakers anticipate with the Blues odds-on to take all three points and it is hard to dispute the match prices.

Chelsea are firing on all fronts this term with the Women’s League Cup final to come next month and the fifth round of the FA Women’s Cup also on the horizon.

And they go into this huge clash on a run of four straight wins, in which they claimed the scalps of decent West Ham, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Manchester City sides.

Arsenal were frustrated by United in a 1-1 draw last time out and have now won only two of their last seven contests in all competitions.

Star forward Vivianne Miedema has returned to form but at the back, despite the shrewd January acquisitions of defenders Rafaelle Souza and Laura Wienroither, there is cause for concern.

The Gunners have kept only one clean sheet in that run of seven matches - against London City in the FA Women's Cup - and they will not be helped by the absence of stalwart Katie McCabe, who is suspended.

That does not bode well for the visitors considering they will be facing two of the division's most lethal forwards in Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby, who have 15 goals between them in the league this term.

There is a fierce rivalry between these clubs and Arsenal came out on top in the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season, winning 3-2 in a headline contest at the Emirates Stadium.

But in their most recent meeting in December - the rearranged final of the 2020-21 FA Women's Cup - a Kirby and Kerr masterclass saw the Blues blow Arsenal apart 3-0 to lift the trophy.

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