There’s a massive clash between two London rivals at the Etihad this Saturday in the Women’s Super League as Arsenal v Chelsea kicks-offs at 1:45pm.
Our WSL tipster Peter Sharland is expecting a bit of a goalfest in the first meeting between these two sides of the post-Emma Hayes era.
Arsenal v Chelsea WSL Bet Builder
Chelsea to win
Both teams to score: Yes
Over 3.5 goals
Guro Reiten to score anytime
- A Multi Match Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 18/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
WHEN: Saturday 12th October, 13:45
WHERE: Etihad Stadium, London
TV: BBC 1, BBC iPlayer
Chelsea to win
Sonia Bompastor is yet to taste defeat as Chelsea manager and – despite some defensive scares against Real Madrid in midweek – it’s hard to see that changing at the Emirates against an Arsenal side in turmoil.
The Gunners are coming into this clash off the back of an unconvincing win over Leicester, a turgid draw at home to Everton and finally a thumping defeat in Germany against Bayern Munich. Oh, and the rumours are swirling about the future of manager Jonas Eidevall are loud and not going away.
It is possible that Arsenal produce a performance that saves Eidevall’s job but it feels far more likely that the WSL champions win, and win comfortably. Bompastor is a born winner, and she has clearly picked up where Emma Hayes left off in the Blue side of London.
Over 3.5 goals & both teams to score: yes
Chelsea have scored eleven goals in three games thus far, letting in two. Arsenal have scored five in four and let in seven. For both teams it could have been even more with Aston Villa wondering how they didn’t score at Kingsmeadow in the season opener and Everton and Leicester equally frustrated after their games against Arsenal.
It’s clear to anyone who has watched both teams that neither are defensively sound despite both keeping multiple clean sheets in the WSL. The minute they faced higher competition in Europe in midweek they let in multiple goals.
Whilst we have question marks over Arsenal’s attack still there is absolutely nothing wrong with Chelsea going forward and it could end up being a very high-scoring game, especially if either manager feels they have to attack to protect their defence.
Guro Reiten to score anytime
And speaking of high-scoring one player to keep an eye on is Blues’ top-scorer Guro Reiten. Traditionally a winger, Reiten has been coming inside far more this season, often playing as the No. 10 and swapping with either Lauren James or Sandy Baltimore rather than staying out on the touchline. She also took the penalty against Madrid and should be on spot-kick duties again should the Arsenal defence give one away on Saturday.
The great thing about Reiten as a goal-scorer is the way she can adapt her game. If Mayra Ramirez starts up front Reiten will play close to her to try and pounce on flicks or passes from the Colombian forward. If it is Aggie Beaver-Jones Reiten will look to drive into the space that the England international’s pace will create. Either way Reiten will be a real threat.
Jonas Eidevall’s last game
No odds on this but a bonus prediction – this will be Jonas Eidevall’s final game in charge.
We are now over three years into his regime at Arsenal. And in that time we have two Conti Cups and not a lot else.
Arsenal looked like they were competing with Frauen-Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on Wednesday, until they weren’t and suddenly it was 5-2. The Chelsea fixture may not contain quite the same spice without Eidevall’s arch-nemesis Hayes but defeat here would leave them four points behind the champions having played a game more. It’s hard to see how he could carry on after that, especially given how disjointed everything seems right now.
Arsenal Women v Chelsea Women Bet Builder Tips
Chelsea to win
Both teams to score: Yes
Over 3.5 goals
Guro Reiten to score anytime
- A Multi Match Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 18/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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