Today, October 17, 2024, FC Twente women will host Chelsea women in a highly anticipated UEFA Women's Champions League match at De Grolsch Veste in Enschede, Netherlands. This encounter marks the first competitive fixture between the two teams and is part of Matchday 2 of the group stage.
FC Twente, the nine-time Vrouwen Eredivisie champions, have made a strong return to the Women’s Champions League after progressing through three qualifying rounds. They kicked off their group stage campaign with a 2-0 victory over Celtic last week, thanks in part to a brace from attacking midfielder Kayleigh van Dooren. Twente will be without forward Liz Rijsbergen due to a long-term knee injury, but Nikee van Dijk is expected to lead the line after her impressive form since joining the club in the summer.
Chelsea, under the new management of Sonia Bompastor, have had a stellar start to the season. Following victories over Real Madrid and Arsenal in their last two outings, the Blues are hunting their sixth consecutive Women’s Super League title and their first Women’s Champions League crown. However, Chelsea are dealing with several injuries, including Sam Kerr, Sophie Ingle, Mia Fishel, Niamh Charles, and Aniek Nouwen. Despite these setbacks, Chelsea are expected to field a strong lineup, with Erin Cuthbert potentially returning to the midfield after recovering from a knock.
The match is anticipated to be competitive, with Twente looking to capitalize on their home advantage and Chelsea aiming to continue their winning streak. Predictions suggest that Chelsea’s superior quality and recent form might give them the edge, but Twente’s experience and determination could pose some challenges for the visitors.
