Arsenal and Chelsea resume Women’s Champions League campaigns

Familiar foe at Bayern

The Gunners go up against a Bayern outfit featuring England midfielder Georgia Stanway. After leaving Manchester City to join the Bundesliga club last summer, the 24-year-old scored three goals in their group-stage games, including two in a late brace that secured a 3-2 victory at Benfica.

Bayern, who finished second behind Barcelona in Group D but on the same amount of points (15), have twice before reached the Champions League semi-finals, in 2019 and 2021; last season they bowed out in the quarters with defeat over two legs to PSG.

They are second in the German top flight at the moment, two points behind Wolfsburg, and on a 12-match winning streak in all competitions which they are evens to extend by beating Arsenal.

Kerr on song for Blues

While Chelsea were defeated in the League Cup final, that was only their second loss of 2022-23 and first since September – otherwise, it has been pretty ruthless form from Emma Hayes’ side, who look well-placed to secure a fourth successive WSL title.

Australia forward Sam Kerr has again been at the forefront, scoring 22 goals for the Blues including 12 since the turn of the year. Among those earlier in the campaign were five in the group stage of this competition.

Hayes’ side topped their pool a year on from failing to make it to the last eight. The season before that, they had reached the final, losing 4-0 to Barcelona.

🏆 THIS WEEK IN THE UWCL 🤩

*chef’s kiss* #UWCL // #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/bamETxEIcO

— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) March 20, 2023

Lyon’s ranks strengthening

After being thrashed by Arsenal, Lyon’s recovery en route to taking second place in Group C included beating the Gunners 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Meanwhile, their defence of the French league title currently sees them a point clear of PSG at the top.

They have had a number of big names back in action in recent months after injuries, and Norway star Ada Hegerberg, who scored one goal and set up another in the 3-1 win over Barcelona in last season’s final, is currently nearing a return of her own.

Lyon are 23/20 favourites to win the first leg, while Chelsea are 15/8 to return from France with a lead and 8/15 to avoid defeat.

The road to Eindhoven

The second legs of these ties take place at the Emirates Stadium and Stamford Bridge next Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

If the English sides progress, Arsenal will then face either PSG or Wolfsburg in the semis in late April, while for Chelsea it will be Barca or Roma that would be vying for a place in the final that is scheduled for June 3 at PSV Eindhoven’s Philips Stadion.

View the latest Women’s Champions League betting

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication