Chelsea Women v Tottenham: can Spurs end 13-game losing run?

Tottenham have lost all 13 of their Women’s Super League meetings with Chelsea. Ending that sequence on Sunday will require a convincing response to their heaviest setback of the season.

Martin Ho’s side visit Stamford Bridge after a 6-1 defeat by London City Lionesses interrupted an encouraging start. Chelsea present another demanding examination: Sonia Bompastor’s team have conceded just once in five league matches and return from the international break with their entire squad available.

Kick-off is at noon on Sunday 18 October. Chelsea begin the weekend two points behind Manchester City, while fourth-placed Spurs have an opportunity to demonstrate that their progress can withstand a difficult afternoon.

Chelsea Women v Tottenham: Ho’s biggest decision is how to escape the press

Ho has resisted treating the London City defeat as a reason to abandon the approach that brought Tottenham three wins and a draw from their opening four league games.

His pre-match comments nevertheless point towards an adjustment.

Chelsea’s pressure will test Spurs’ willingness to play out from the back. Ho wants his players to recognise when a more direct pass offers a better route forward, rather than allowing their commitment to possession to become predictable.

“We have to be better, we want to be more consistent,” he said in Tottenham’s pre-match press conference.

That makes the first pass beyond Chelsea’s press a key part of this contest. If Spurs can find their attacking players before Chelsea recover their defensive positions, they have a route to creating chances. Repeatedly losing possession close to their own penalty area would make an already difficult assignment considerably harder.

Ho’s challenge is to preserve his team’s attacking confidence while making them less vulnerable when their build-up breaks down.

Pelova gives Tottenham a reason to believe

Victoria Pelova’s form offers Spurs something more substantial than hope.

The midfielder scored five goals across their final three league games before the international break, including their consolation against London City. Even on an afternoon when Tottenham’s defensive problems dominated, she provided another reminder of her finishing ability.

The question is whether Spurs can involve her often enough in dangerous positions.

For Chelsea, controlling the space in front of their centre-backs matters as much as stopping the initial forward pass. Pelova’s scoring form makes her an obvious player to track when Tottenham move through midfield.

Chelsea have won the defensive argument so far this season. Sunday tests whether Spurs can disrupt that control without exposing themselves at the other end.

Chelsea team news: James available as Bompastor weighs her options

Bompastor has confirmed that all her players are available following international duty, including Lauren James.

James scored twice for England during the break, and her manager reported that she had returned in good physical condition. That gives Chelsea another creative option against a side seeking to restore its defensive confidence.

The selection question is therefore about combinations and workload, with Bompastor able to choose from a fully available squad.

Tottenham will be without Olga Ahtinen, who has a knock and also missed their previous league match. Ho said players returning from international duty on Friday would be assessed before the trip.

Predicted line-ups

These are Dave.Sport’s predicted teams, subject to the official team sheets.

Chelsea, 4-2-3-1: Hampton; Carpenter, Björn, Buurman, McCabe; Walsh, Nüsken; Hamano, James, Baltimore; Malard.

Tottenham, 4-2-3-1: Kop; Dijkstra, Koga, Amanda Nildén, Blakstad; Gaupset, Spence; Holdt, Pelova, Hanson; Tandberg.

James gets our nod in Chelsea’s attacking midfield, with Malard leading the line. For Tottenham, we favour giving the previous league starting XI an opportunity to respond, although Ho has scope to change his defence after the London City defeat.

What channel is Chelsea Women v Tottenham on?

The match kicks off at noon BST on Sunday 18 October at Stamford Bridge, with UK coverage on Sky Sports Football and Sky One.

Our Chelsea v Tottenham how-to-watch guide has the viewing details, while our football on TV guide covers the wider schedule.

Dave.Sport’s prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham

Chelsea’s defensive form and selection options make them our pick.

Spurs have enough attacking quality to create uncomfortable moments, particularly if Pelova receives the ball in advanced positions. The concern is whether they can sustain that threat while coping with Chelsea’s pressure and avoiding another damaging sequence of defensive mistakes.

Last season’s league meetings ended 1-0 and 2-0 to Chelsea. We expect another competitive match, with the hosts’ greater control proving decisive.