Chelsea vs Arsenal Women: Preview, prediction & lineups

Following last Tuesday's first leg across the capital, it is Arsenal who are in the box-seat to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals. Eight nights ago at Emirates Stadium, Renée Slegers' side claimed a 3-1 advantage, thereby now seeking to finish the job at Stamford Bridge.

Last season's final hero Stina Blackstenius broke the deadlock before an long-range strike by Chloe Kelly doubled the Gunners' advantage; Hannah Hampton will surely feel she should've done better. An absolute rocket by Lauren James did get the Blues back into the tie, but Alessia Russo lashed home a third late on, so just how pivotal could that be?

Arsenal are the defending European champions, having upset the odds to beat Barcelona Femení 1-0 at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon last May. That is their second Champions League triumph, still the only British club to ever achieve this, despite numerous attempts by Chelsea. Now though, Sonia Bompastor's team require something of a comeback in West London on April Fool's Day to keep their hopes of being in Oslo on 23 May alive.

The winners will take on Wolfsburg or Olympique Lyonnais Féminin in the last four; their first leg finished 1-0 to die Weißgrünen. So, will Arsenal complete the job, or can Chelsea produce a comeback?

Chelsea vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

What time does Chelsea vs Arsenal kick off?

Chelsea vs Arsenal kicks off on Wednesday 1 April, April Fool's Day, at 20:00 (GMT).

• When is kick off? Wednesday 1 April, April Fool's Day.
• What time is kick off? 20:00 (GMT)
• Where is it played? Stamford Bridge
• Referee: Frida Klarlund (Denmark).

Chelsea vs Arsenal's Champions League results so far

Chelsea vs Arsenal head-to-head record

• Chelsea Wins: 23. Draws: 7. Arsenal Wins: 28.

Chelsea vs Arsenal last six meetings

How to watch Chelsea vs Arsenal

Chelsea team news

Sonia Bompastor's team were made to work hard for their 4-3 victory over Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow on Sunday; six goals were shared in the first 45, before Sjoeke Nüsken snatched a late winner. Bompastor made just three changes for that weekend win, including switching to a back three, so fatigue could be a concern.

Both Ellie Carpenter and Sam Kerr started, the latter marking her return with a goal, after the pair had been away helping Australia reach the AFC Asian Cup Final. Captain Millie Bright, Nathalie Björn, Aggie Beever-Jones and Mayra Ramírez are all injured.

Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Arsenal: Hampton; Bronze, Buchanan, Girma, Baltimore; Walsh, Cuthbert, Nüsken; James, Kerr, Thompson.

Arsenal team news

Of Arsenal's Aussie trio, Steph Catley started and Caitlin Foord scored off the bench during Saturday's 5-2 demolition of Tottenham in the North London derby. However, Renée Slegers announced that Kyra Cooney-Cross would remain down under for the remainder of the campaign due to personal reasons.

Slegers made five changes against Spurs, including recalling goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, while Frida Maanum and Olivia Smith also came in. However, Anneke Borbe, Emily Fox, Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius are all forecast to return.

In defence, Lotte Wubben-Moy is set to continue to deputise for Leah Williamson who remains a doubt, albeit she was named in Sarina Wiegman's England squad on Tuesday, suggesting she is close to a return. Lastly, Alessia Russo bagged a hat-trick at the weekend, taking her tally to 19 goals this season, including eight in the Champions League, making her the competition's top-scorer.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Chelsea: Borbe; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Codina, McCabe; Little, Caldentey; Mead, Russo, Blackstenius, Kelly.

Chelsea vs Arsenal score prediction

Despite Arsenal's two-goal advantage, do not count Chelsea out of this tie just yet. Having said that, of the two, the Gunners are in significantly better form. Renée Slegers' side have won nine successive matches across all competitions, scoring 28 and conceding only four, a sequence that began with a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in late-January.

Meantime, despite picking up the League Cup in Bristol, Sonia Bompastor's team were alarmingly smashed 5-1 by WSL leaders Manchester City on 1 February, as well as being held to a 1-1 draw by London City Lionesses at Hayes Lane more recently, both of which are a concern.

Make no mistake about it, Chelsea are more than capable of overturning the current deficit, albeit Alessia Russo's late goal eight nights ago makes such a difference. Thus, we are backing Arsenal to get the job done on the King's Road, even if a nervy night is on the cards.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal - Arsenal to progress on aggregate.