Matildas Abroad Preview: Top-of-the-table clash for Arsenal and Chelsea in FA WSL

With the break now over action returns in England with a top-of-the-table clash for Arsenal and Chelsea, while PSG looks to hold on to first place in France.

Check out our preview of all the upcoming Matildas Abroad action! 

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England

Kicking off in Birmingham, Emily Gielnik's Aston Villa will host Kyah Simon's Spurs with both teams making some exciting signings in the transfer window.

Villa's side has been bolstered with the introduction of Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Staniforth in the past week while Tottenham added Euro winner Beth England to their squad, signing from Chelsea. 

 Emily Glelnik of Aston Villa in action during a training session at Bodymoor Heath training ground on September 13, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Emily Glelnik of Aston Villa in action during a training session at Bodymoor Heath training ground on September 13, 2022, in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

Before the break Villa faced a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal while Spurs went down 3-0 to Everton, with both sides aiming to bounce back from defeat. 

Only three points separate the two sides on the table, this game will kick off on Saturday night at 11:30 pm AEDT.   

Meanwhile, a top-of-the-table clash is set when Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord's Arsenal host Sam Kerr's Chelsea with just three points separating the two sides before their game at Emirates Stadium.

Both sides recorded wins in their final UWCL group stage games before the break, however, since then have seen some changes to their squad in the transfer window.

Caitlin Foord of Arsenal during the Arsenal Women's training session at Pennyhill Park on January 06, 2023 in Bagshot, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Caitlin Foord of Arsenal during the Arsenal Women's training session at Pennyhill Park on January 06, 2023, in Bagshot, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The Gunners saw the departure of veteran player Jordan Nobbs with the introduction of two midfielders in Victoria Pelova and Kathrine Kühl and the recalling of Giovana from her season-long loan to Everton. While after seven years with Chelsea, Beth England has signed with Spurs. 

Arsenal will be out for revenge after the Blues beat them to the WSL title last season, with only one point separating the two after the last game of the 2021/22 season. 

Sam Kerr of Chelsea in action during a Chelsea FC Women's Training Session at Ciudad Deportiva on January 08, 2023 in La Nucia, Spain. (Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Sam Kerr of Chelsea in action during a Chelsea FC Women's Training Session at Ciudad Deportiva on January 08, 2023, in La Nucia, Spain. (Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Both sides have only faced one defeat in the WSL this season, however, the Gunners have a game in hand over their rivals.

Chelsea has been preparing for the clash in La Nucia, Spain while Arsenal will be looking to mark their return to Emirates Stadium with a victory, with their last two games at the stadium ending in defeat. 

This game will kick off on Sunday night at 11:00 pm AEDT.   

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Meanwhile, Clare Wheeler's Everton will aim to make it back-to-back wins in the WSL when they host Reading FC. Throughout the week Wheeler signed a permanent contract with the Toffees, signing with the club until June 2025. 

Elise Stenevik, Aggie Beever-Jones, Clare Wheeler, Rikke Sevecke and Katrine Veje of Everton pose for a photo after training at Finch Farm on January 04, 2023 in Halewood, England. (Photo by Emma Simpson - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)
Elise Stenevik, Aggie Beever-Jones, Clare Wheeler, Rikke Sevecke and Katrine Veje of Everton pose for a photo after training at Finch Farm on January 04, 2023, in Halewood, England. (Photo by Emma Simpson - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)

The Toffees recorded a dominant 4-0 win over the Spurs before the break and will be looking to pick up their fifth win of the season, however, saw the departure of Giovana in the transfer window with Arsenal recalling her season-long loan.  

This game will kick off on Monday morning at 12:00 am AEDT.   

Remy Siemsen could be set to make her debut for her new side, signing with Leicester City throughout the week.

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Remy Siemsen after signing a deal with LCFC Women. (Photo: Leicester City)

The Foxes are still searching for their first win of the season and will hope a dominant 5-0 win in the Women's FA Cup on Thursday morning will be the perfect springboard to start this season when they host Brighton & Hove Albion at King Power Stadium.

This game will kick off on Monday morning at 2:00 am AEDT.   

Lastly, Mackenzie Arnold's West Ham United will host Mary Fowler, Hayley Raso and Alanna Kennedy's Manchester City with only three points separating the two sides.

The Hammers recorded a 2-0 win over the Spurs in the last outing in the WSL while Manchester City was held to a 1-1 draw to Manchester United in mid-December. 

Manchester City's Alex Greenwood and Mary Fowler in action during training at Manchester City Football Academy on December 6, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Alex Greenwood and Mary Fowler in action during training at Manchester City Football Academy on December 6, 2022, in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)

City progressed into the Women's FA Cup final the last time the two sides met, in April 2022. Gareth Taylor's side goes into the game against West Ham on a 10-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. 

This game will kick off on Monday morning at 5:45 am AEDT.   

France

Our final stop takes us to France, where Lydia Williams' Paris Saint-Germain will be aiming to hold on to 1st place in the D1 when they host Rodez AF.

PSG's last meeting with Rodez ended in a 4-0 win, with Williams keeping a clean sheet in goal with this being her only appearance for Paris in the D1.

This game will kick off on Saturday morning at 4:30 am AEDT.   

Ellie Carpenter's Lyon will take on ASJ Soyaux Charente, with the defender named in the 25-player squad that travelled to Les Sables d'Olonne to take part in a training camp before the D1 resumes for the year. 


This game will kick off on Saturday night at 11:45 pm AEDT.