Aussies Abroad: Kerr goes again as Chelsea aim to close gap on WSL leaders

Sam Kerr is set for her second Chelsea appearance on Monday morning after the Westfield Matildas captain turned heads on her debut in the English Women’s Super League.

Kerr and the Blues play host to Bristol City at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, in Kingston-upon-Thames, aiming to close the gap on the WSL’s title contenders. 

Emma Hayes’ side sit third in the ladder, four points off table toppers Arsenal and one behind Manchester City, with a game in hand set to be played this weekend.

Kerr made her European bow last week in Chelsea’s 3-1 win against Reading and the 26-year-old had a hand in two goals as Royals goalkeeper Grace Moloney was sent off for a rash challenge on the Aussie export.

After being thrown in the deep end last week, Kerr returns to WSL action at midnight, early in the morning of Monday, 13 January, after the side than stunned fourth-placed Manchester United, 1-0 last week.


At the same time, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, and West Ham United are on the road against a Tottenham Hotspur side three points ahead of the Hammers in seventh spot in the competition. 

Football-Account-Olympic-Qualifiers


ULTIMATE GUIDE: 2020 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers
MORE: Milicic tips Roestbakken for important role in China after 'really big six months'

Lisa De Vanna and her Fiorentina side return from their winter break this weekend with a clash against Serie A’s bottom club, Orobica. 

The Westfield Matildas all-time top goalscorer takes to the field for the first time in four weeks at 11.30pm AEDT on Saturday, 11 January, to continue chasing the Italian women’s championship. 

La Viola are in second place, six points behind league leaders Juventus, heading into the back half of the campaign at Stadio Giacinto Facchetti.

Orobica have only claimed one point from 10 matches, as De Vanna looks to add to her two goals from five starts and five sub appearances this season.

GGArmy_matildas_olympic


CALENDAR: Your Westfield Matildas 2020 guide - key dates and more
AUSSIES ABROADKerr produces backheel assist in action-packed Chelsea debut

Over in Spain, Alex Chidiac continues her recovery from injury as Atletico Madrid seek to get back to winning ways against Sporting de Huelva.

The 20-year-old from Sydney sprained her left foot in September but is yet to make her return, although she featured on the substitutes bench against Tacon two weeks ago. 

Second-placed Atleti have fallen seven points behind FC Barcelona after drawing their last two Spanish Primera Femenina matches.

This week’s game gets under way at 2am AEDT on Sunday, 12 January at Estadio Wanda Atlético de Madrid Alcalá de Henares.

Alex Chidiac - pic courtesy of Alex Chidiac's Twitter account
Alex Chidiac is waiting to make her Atletico Madrid return after being sidelined with a foot injury.

NEWS: How a gluten-free diet saw Simon bounce back from ‘toughest point of my career’
ANNOUNCEMENT: Westfield Matildas squad named for China challenge

Matildas Telstra Live Pass