Chelsea vs Manchester City: WSL preview, predictions, team news and TV info

These two clubs met four times last season, producing two victories apiece. Chelsea won the first two, but Manchester City have won the two most-recent, featuring a 5-1 annihilation at the Etihad in February, and then an FA Cup victory, in which they came from 2-0 down to prevail 3-2 at Stamford Bridge.

The duo's last nine encounters have witnessed 28 goals, over three a game. So, ahead of this WSL top of the table clash, check out our preview, predictions, team news and TV info.

Having lost ground in the WSL title race last weekend, this really could be a season-defining afternoon for Chelsea. Ahead of such an important clash, Sonia Bompastor's team have lost form at exactly the wrong time. A week ago, the Blues' seven match winning streak in the WSL came to an end, held to a 1-1 draw by Everton, despite going in front courtesy of Sandy Baltimore.

Then, on Tuesday, Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by BK Häcken in the Champions League, despite mustering 32 shots to their hosts' four in Göteborg, unable to find the breakthrough.

Back in the Women's Super League, Bompastor's team now find themselves two points below the league-leaders, hence why many will feel this top of the table clash is must win for Chelsea, or at the very least must not lose.

On the flip side, victory for Manchester City at Stamford Bridge would put them in pole position to retain the title. Andrée Jeglertz's team have so far won eight out of nine in the WSL, their sole dropped points coming in the Manchester derby three weeks ago, denied victory in Leigh courtesy of a last-gasp equaliser.

Since, the Sky Blues have narrowly overcome London City Lionesses 2-1, before demolishing West Ham 5-0 last weekend, featuring a Bunny Shaw hat-trick at Joie Stadium.

Then, in mid-week, after starting their Champions League campaign with three straight draws, the Citizens swatted aside Internazionale 4-1 on the road; Aoba Fujino at the double at Stadio Brianteo. Thus, put succinctly, Man City are clearly the strongest team in England right now, so can Chelsea upset the odds and reignite the title race, or will the champions pick up three precious points?

Sonia Bompastor remains without key figures Lauren James and Naomi Girma, but does have plenty of options. Livia Peng made just her second appearance of the season in goal on Tuesday, but Hannah Hampton will return here.

Elsewhere, Kadeisha Buchanan and Sandy Baltimore are among those also hoping to come back into the start lineup.

The visitors are depleted too, currently without defenders Alex Greenwood and Niamh Charles, as well as Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema. Star striker Bunny Shaw though will be raring to go, having not even got off the bench in Monza on Tuesday, fully rested for this one.

Chelsea predicted lineup: Hampton; Carpenter, Bronze, Buchanan, McCabe; Potter, Kaptein, Walsh; Thompson, Baltimore, Malard.

Manchester City predicted lineup: Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Knaak, Wamser; Hasegawa, Blindkilde Brown, Fowler, Fujino, Hemp; Shaw.

Score prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester City.