Chelsea Women host Arsenal Women at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening in the second leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter final. The Blues trail 3-1 from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium and face a daunting task to overturn the deficit against the defending champions, who are riding a nine match winning streak across all competitions.

Sonia Bompastor’s side got back to winning ways in the WSL on Saturday with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Aston Villa after falling behind early. Sam Kerr, Naomi Girma, and Lauren James all found the net before Sjoeke Nusken emerged as the hero with the decisive goal in a breathless encounter at Stamford Bridge.

Kick-off: 20:00 BST, Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
TV: BBC iPlayer and Disney+

Arsenal Cruising After Clinical First Leg Performance

Arsenal were ruthless at the Emirates last week, racing into a two goal halftime lead through Stina Blackstenius and Chloe Kelly before Alessia Russo restored their advantage after Lauren James had briefly given Chelsea hope with a stunning strike. The Gunners have won nine consecutive matches and demolished Tottenham 5-2 in Saturday’s north London derby.

Chelsea will need to produce a monumental performance to reach the semi finals after falling behind in this competition for the first time this season. The Blues finished third in the league phase before dispatching Barcelona and Roma, but now face elimination unless they can overturn a two goal deficit.

First Leg Defeat Increases Pressure on Bompastor

This represents the first meeting between Chelsea and Arsenal in the Champions League, though the sides have faced each other three times already this season. Arsenal won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in January before both teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Emirates in November when Alyssa Thompson scored for Chelsea.

Chelsea’s last victory over the Gunners came in January 2025, when Guro Reiten’s late penalty secured a narrow 1-0 win. Bompastor desperately needs her side to produce their best performance of the season.

Predicted Lineups: Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Hampton; Bronze, Girma, Bright, Nouwen; Cuthbert, Nusken; James, Kaptein, Thompson; Kerr

Arsenal (4-3-3): van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Caldentey, Maanum; Kelly, Russo, Blackstenius

Also read: Lucy Bronze Left Frustrated by Soft Decisions as Arsenal Edge Chelsea 3-1 in Champions League Quarter Final First Leg Thriller at Emirates Stadium

Chelsea resume their Women’s Champions League qualification bid when they take on Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow on Sunday afternoon. The Blues currently occupy third spot in the Women’s Super League table while the visitors are in eighth position, which sets up an important fixture for both clubs.

Chelsea are competing with Manchester United and Arsenal for the final two top three spots in the battle for Champions League qualification. The Blues slipped to third after being held to a 1-1 draw by London City Lionesses last weekend, leaving them a point adrift of United.

Kick-off: 12:00 GMT, Sunday, March 29, 2026
Venue: Kingsmeadow, London
TV: Sky Sports

Bjorn Out for Rest of Season

Chelsea defender Nathalie Bjorn will miss the rest of the season. She suffered an injury moments into her comeback in the League Cup final earlier this month. The Sweden international is joined on the sidelines by Mayra Ramirez, Catarina Macario, Niamh Charles, and Millie Bright, which is, frankly, a significant injury list.

Forward Aggie Beever Jones is at risk of missing a second consecutive game after picking up an injury last weekend. The Australian duo of Ellie Carpenter and Sam Kerr are available for selection. This return from the Asian Cup provides a huge boost.

Villa Missing Five Through Injury

Aston Villa remain without the services of Jill Baijings, Paula Tomas, Georgia Mullett, Gabi Nunes, and Rachel Daly. Former Liverpool midfielder Missy Bo Kearns is also unavailable after sharing the news of her pregnancy earlier this month.

Japan international Maja Hijikata is set to feature following her recent return from the Asian Cup in Australia. Villa travel to Kingsmeadow with renewed belief after taking four points from their last two matches, including a commendable goalless draw against Manchester City.

Predicted Lineups

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Hampton; Carpenter, Girma, Buurman, Baltimore; Potter, Kaptein; Rytting Kaneryd, Nusken, Thompson; Kerr

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Roebuck; Wilms, Patten, Parker, Nighswonger; Jean-Francois, Taylor; Grant, Kendall, Maritz; Hanson

Also read: Lucy Bronze Left Frustrated by Soft Decisions as Arsenal Edge Chelsea 3-1 in Champions League Quarter Final First Leg Thriller at Emirates Stadium

Martin Ho expressed his delight after Olivia Holdt committed her long term future with Tottenham on Wednesday afternoon. The Denmark international has enjoyed a stellar season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in all competitions as Spurs look to solidify their spot in the top five.

Ho believes that Holdt penning a new deal is a statement for the club and feels she can elevate the team even further, which is absolutely brilliant news for Tottenham supporters.

Personality On and Off Pitch Infectious

Ho was full of praise for his winger when speaking about the contract extension. “I’m absolutely delighted that Olivia has committed her future to Spurs, for us as a team, for how we want to play and the way we want the team to look,” the Tottenham boss said.

He continued, “Her personality on and off the pitch is infectious, and I feel she has even more levels in her. We just need to give her the environment and the coaching to enable herself to see that,” which demonstrates Ho’s commitment to player development.

Needed to Get Her Physically Competing

Ho and his coaching staff have worked specifically to get the very best out of Holdt this campaign. “We just needed to get Olivia in a position where she could physically compete, and she could push. She then realises her full potential and what she’s actually capable of doing,” he explained, which is frankly excellent coaching.

Finding Consistent Level Key Priority

Ho wants Holdt to maintain high standards week in and week out. “She’s contributed to a large part of the performances, but I think for her it’s finding a consistent level, to be one of the leaders in the group. It’s my job to make sure that we continue to help her evolve,” he said, which shows his ambition for both player and club.

Also read: Khadija Shaw Scores Record Breaking Hattrick in ‘This’ Time as Manchester City Thrash Tottenham 5-2