Matilda’s Abroad Preview: Aussies fight in England while the title race heats up in Sweden
A handful of Aussies will meet each other in this weekend’s action, with the race to see which club will be crowned champions in Sweden.
A clash between first-placed Rosengård and second-placed Häcken heats up the race to see who will be crowned Damallsvenskan champions, while first-placed Arsenal welcome third-placed Aston Villa in the FA WSL.
Sam Kerrs Chelsea are full of confidence after losing 6-1 to Manchester United last weekend and want to speed up their game against Brighton & Hove Albion. The sides are in fourth and fifth place respectively, with Albion’s first loss of the season coming against Aston Villa last weekend.
Kerr was twice against Manchester United, with a first goal for the Canadian Jessie Fleming who rounded the sixth for Chelsea. The forward combination of Fran Kirby, Sam Kerr and Pernile Harder looks dangerous and starts to find its trace after walking away.
The match starts on Saturday at 8: 30.00 (AEST).
After scoring his first goal for Aston Villa last weekend, Emily Gielnik‘s side receives the ladder leader, Arsenal. The Gunners have started a flying start in the WSL that beat Manchester City 5-0 last weekend and are currently undefeated.
Caitlin Foord was on the scoreboard twice throughout the week for Arsenal in their 5-1 victory in the middle of the week against Spurs in the ladies’ FA Cup, with both Steph Catley and Lydia Williams included in the game.
With a quick turnaround after their FA Cup match for women and a UWCL game next week against title holders FC Barcelona, the newly started Arsenal will need to call on all their weapons to maintain the top spot in the table.
The match starts on Sunday at 03:15 (AEST).
Tameka Yallop was the star of the show in West Ham’s 4-0 victory over Leicester City last weekend, and found two goals on debut against the newly promoted side.
Mackenzie Arnold has presented in goals for all Hammers games so far in the WSL and will face Manchester City’s firepower.
After Manchester City went down 5-0 to Arsenal last weekend, their side will try to prove themselves when they welcome West Ham. Gareth Taylor’s side has its fair share of injuries with a number starting from the side. Hayley Raso has missed City’s last two games with a shoulder injury.
Alanna Kennedy started for City in their 5-0 loss, City showed promising signs in their victory in the middle of the week with 6-0 over Leicester City in the ladies’ FA Cup.
The match starts on Monday at 12: 00 in the morning (AEST).
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Tottenham Hotspurs travel to face Leicester City to round out the WSL Aussie action for the weekend.
Kyah Simon has only made an appearance for his new club, which made his starting debut for Spurs with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City before the break, Simon suffered a hamstring injury in the victory.
Coach Rehanne Skinner spoke about Simon’s injury before the Spurs match last weekend,
“We have not got Kyah Simon to go into the weekend. She suffered a knee injury in the Man City game that will keep her out for a few more weeks. ”
The match starts on Monday at 00:00 (AEST).
In France, Ellie Carpenter’s Lyon want to do five to five when they travel to take on Bordeaux. Lyon have not conceded a goal in the last four matches and have scored 19 in the process.
Carpenter produced an assist in Lyons’ 4-0 victory over Guingamp and set up Melvine Malard for the opening in the 3rd minute.
Lyon’s game starts on Saturday at 5:00 (AEST).
Mary Fowler missed Montpellier’s 4-1 win over Stade Reims, out with an ankle injury, but hopes to make an appearance when they welcome Fleury 91.
The pages are in fifth and sixth place on the steps, so an interesting game for fans awaits.
The match starts on Saturday at 5:00 (AEST).
In Sweden, a handful of Commonwealth Bank Matildas continue their Damallsvenskan season, Clare Polkinghorne Vittsjö welcomes Linköping on Saturday at 23.00 (AEST).
A top in the table battle awaits when Häcken welcomes the ladder leader FC Rosengård, with Häcken striker Stina Blackstenius in dizzying form for club and country, Teagan Micah will certainly be challenged in goals.
Dylan Holmes scored two goals during Häcken’s Swedish Cup victory in the middle of the week, which made her first since moving to Sweden.
Charli Grant will get a chance to meet his former Adelaide United skipper in Holmes, Rosengård became a 2-0 winner when the sides met in June.
The match starts on Saturday at 23.00 (AEST).
Moving to Denmark, Jenna McCormicks AGF receives Farum for the second week in a row. McCormicks AGF hopes to turn the result around and goes down 3-1 to Farum last weekend.
The match starts on Saturday at 21:00 (AEST).
At the same time, Fortuna Hjørring has moved down to second place after two draws in a row. They look to regain the top position when they receive the current step leader HB Køge.
The sides met each other last weekend in a 2-2 draw, Angie Beard and Clare Wheeler started in the draw while India-Paige Riley came from the bench.
The match starts on Sunday at 23.00 (AEST).
In the Netherlands, Amy Harrisons PSV are in second place and have the chance to take the top of the table when they take the eighth place The Hague.
Harrison has appeared in two of PSV’s last three matches and comes off the bench in both matches.
The match starts on Saturday at 3:30 (AEST).
Our last destination takes us to Japan, with Alex Chidiacs JEF United is still looking for the first win of the season.
JEF welcomes fifth-placed Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza in search of their historic first victory of the new WE-League season. Chidiac made their first start for JEF in their 2-0 loss last weekend.
The match starts on Saturday at 14.00 (AEST).