Opposition watch | Chelsea (WSL)

We return to Barclays Women’s Super League action on Wednesday evening (7.15pm UK) and it’s our penultimate game of the season as we face high-flying Chelsea at Brisbane Road.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Blues…

Form

Chelsea head into the game on Wednesday evening with a chance to secure their fifth consecutive WSL title, currently sat second in the table and just three points behind league leaders Manchester City having played one game less. It has been a mixture of emotions for Emma Hayes’ side in their last two games, suffering a disappointing 4-3 defeat to Liverpool at the beginning of the month. However, just four days later, Chelsea recorded an impressive result against already-relegated, Bristol City, as the 8-0 win at Kingsmeadow – in Hayes’ last home game in charge – meant they now edge City in goal-difference. Outside the WSL, they also enjoyed another strong run in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, advancing from the Group Stage, to then beating Ajax in the quarter-final but, despite beating Barcelona away from home in the first-leg, they were knocked out by the Spanish side at the semi-final after a 2-1 loss on aggregate.

Players to watch

Fresh off her first-ever senior England call-up, Aggie Beever-Jones, who was named in Sarina Wiegman’s squad on Tuesday morning alongside Grace Clinton and Jess Naz, has been in sensational form for Chelsea in recent weeks. The 20-year-old has netted 11 WSL goals this season, with four of those coming in the last two games and is the club’s second leading goalscorer so far this season. Topping those charts is fellow England international Lauren James with 13 league goals, while also registering three assists. The 22-year-old ability to carry past players with ease will be a constant threat throughout the 90 minutes, averaging 2.1 dribbles per game. Hannah Hampton had to wait to make an impact at the club but, after making her debut in the 3-0 victory over Bristol City in December, she has featured in 10 games in the WSL, keeping six clean sheets in those and conceding eight goals. Norway international Guro Reiten would be high in confidence heading int the game after she scored four of the eight goals against Bristol City.

Manager – Emma Hayes

A legend of the Women’s game, Emma Hayes took over at Chelsea in 2012, at that time, the only female manager in the topflight of women's football in this country. Since then, she's won the lot, multiple times, racking up 14 major trophies, including six WSL titles - guiding the Blues to four on the trot and remains in the hunt for her fifth consecutive title - and five FA Cups. Voted Best FIFA Coach in 2021, Hayes has been awarded the MBE (2016) and the OBE (2022). Tonight’s game will be Hayes’ penultimate game for Chelsea as she announced, back in November 2023, that she would depart the club after 12 years and will become the Head Coach of the United States Women’s national team.

Last time we met

Our 2023/24 campaign kicked off with a visit to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the opening game and, despite a spirited second-half performance, we slipped to a 2-1 defeat. Mia Fishel put the hosts ahead before James doubled their advantage six minutes after the break, while Martha Thomas pulled a goal back – her first goal for the Club at the time – and we had opportunities to equalise, but failed to capitalise against the reigning champions.

How to follow

Wednesday evening’s match will be televised live on BBC Four. You can follow the game on our women's social channels - Instagram and X - and minute-by-minute text coverage via our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com. Match highlights and reaction will also be available via SPURSPLAY and tottenhamhotspur.com.