Chelsea Women entertain Manchester City Women at Kingsmeadow on Sunday. I believe there's some value to be found in backing the home team to win.
Chelsea Women
The Blues from southwest London won the league on points per game last season and have started this season in a positive way as well gaining 7 points from the first 3 games. Manager Emma Hayes have been in charge for several years now and have the largest squad in the Women's Super League at her disposal. Chelsea have strengthened the team with Denmark international striker Pernille Harder joining from VfL Wolfsburg and England international striker Fran Kirby returning from long term injury will pretty much count as a new signing as well.
Statistics and form
Chelsea started the season on September 6 with a 1-1 draw at Manchester United, Chelsea winning the shots 11-16 and shots on target 3-5.
In the first home game of the season on September 13, Chelsea beat Bristol City 9-0 (wrapping up the shots 39-1 and shots on target 21-0).
In the third and most recent league game Chelsea beat a staunch Birmingham City on the road 0-1 after winning the shots 2-19 and shots on target 0-5.
When facing top half teams at home last season, Chelsea displayed the best shots on target difference in the Women's Super League:
Chelsea continued building good momentum, the latest result being 4-1 against rivals Arsenal in the Continental League Cup on Wednesday evening.
Manchester City Women
The Blues from North West England finished as runners-up on points per game last season and have started this season on a similar note gaining 7 points from the first 3 games.
Manchester City have seen a few changes however that might have an impact this time around. Gareth Taylor i still finding his feet in his first season as manager and there are some question marks over the squad selection.
Shirt no 1 Karen Bardsley missed last season due to injury but made her first competitive appearance since the 2019 World Cup in the mid-week Continental Cup clash with Everton.
The spine of the team has been remodelled with the arrival of new signings US international midfielder Samantha Mewis and England international striker Chloe Kelly.
Marquee signings Rose Lavelle and Lucy Bronze are yet to make an impact as well: the US international midfielder have just seen 29 minutes of Women's Super League action since joining on loan from OL Reign and the England international defender have just played every second game since joining from Olympique Lyonnais.
Statistics and form
Manchester City started the season on September 5 with a 0-2 win away to promoted Aston Villa (City winning the shots 8-18 and shots on target 4-6).
In the first home game of the season, Manchester City were held to a 0-0 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, City commanding the shots 17-7 and shots on target 4-2.
In the third and most recent league game, Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 at home, landing the shots 23-3 and shots on target 6-2.
When facing top half teams on the road last season in the Women's Super League, Manchester City displayed a negative shots on target difference:
The revamped Manchester City haven't really clicked yet and the performances against relatively undemanding opposition haven't been that great so far this season.
Check out more stats on English games here!
Conclusion & Betting Tips
Chelsea parade the same manager and a boosted version of the squad from last season and have kicked off the new season in an impressive way. When facing top half teams at home last season, Chelsea displayed the best shots on target difference in the Women's Super League.
Manchester City have a new manager and have seen quite a few changes to the squad this season. The performances have not been that great so far and when facing top half teams on the road last season in the Women's Super League, Manchester City displayed a negative shots on target difference.
Chelsea won the corresponding game last season 2-1, also winning the shots 17-8 and the shots on target 10-4.
In the FA Community Shield on August 29, Chelsea beat Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley Stadium (Chelsea commanding the shots 14-7 and shots on target 5-3).
My Betting Tip is Chelsea Women to Win.
Stake at 5/10 units.
