Chelsea have won 21 of their last 23 WSL games, scoring a whopping 71 goals and only conceding a miserly 17 goals.

The last team to keep a clean sheet against the Blues in the league was Arsenal back in February 2022.

Emma Hayes’ side scoring in each of those 23 games since then.

Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, goes the meteological idiom.

For Chelsea, the month came in like a lamb and could go out like a lion.

The Blues have bounced back impressively from losing to Arsenal in the Continental League Cup final, with four consecutive wins across three competitions and looking to move back ahead in the WSL title race today.

"Motivation is not an issue in my dressing room," says Chelsea boss Emma Hayes.

"We’re human beings and sometimes we’re not always at our very best, but I have a dressing room that finds ways. Equally, we have to respect the opponents that are getting better year on year.

"We can’t have everything all of the time so my task is just to keep finding the little margins everyday, and my staff and I certainly work hard on doing that."

Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have had a heck of a fortnight.

Since beating Manchester United to move top of the WSL, the Blues have reached the FA Cup semi-finals and earned an impressive win at holders Lyon in the first leg of their Women's Champions League quarter-final.

But an old maxim is being drummed into the Chelsea squad by manager Emma Hayes.

"It’s just take one game at a time," Hayes said before today's match.

"It’s the same every week,. I always say this to people in general, does your work week change based on a happy week versus a not so happy week?

"Yes, maybe, and wins help but consistency in behaviours is something we have driven for a long period of time.

‘For us, the expectations are high to perform but ultimately I know we have a stable dressing room that are very much up to the task of competing on all fronts.

"We’re in a good position but we have nothing to show for it at this stage."

Gareth Taylor says this is a "must-win match" for Manchester City but Chelsea haven't been a good match-up for them...

City are winless in their last 11 WSL meetings with Chelsea - drawing six and losing five - with their last victory coming in May 2017 under Nick Cushing.

Image source, Getty Images

More from Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor: “We know the importance of the game, we worked so hard to get ourselves into this position. We know it’s a tough opponent in front of us and an opponent that has had a good result away at the European Champions in midweek so we understand the challenges in front of us but we are confident in what we can do and in terms of imposing ourselves in the game.

“We know it’s really important to take maximum points in this game and we always go out to play and win. We know it’s an important one for us to win to continue in our challenge this season.

“A draw is not a disaster but it can feel like that in this league with the makeup of it and sometimes a draw can cost you a league title."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor wants to see "the fire" in his players' eyes when they host Chelsea in a game he has called a "must-win" for their title chances.

Leaders Chelsea have a game in hand and are two points clear of third-placed City, in a four-way title race.

And Taylor knows that a defeat or draw on Sunday could spell the end of City's hopes of a first title since 2016.

"We need to win at the weekend. It's as simple as that," said Taylor.

"What an opportunity for us. I want to see the fire in the players' eyes that I am seeing at the moment and the bit between our teeth ready to take on the challenge."

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With kick-off little over 10 minutes away, let's drill down into the big match and hear from both camps...

Cue Match of the Day theme tune... there are few comforting sounds than that on a weekend.

BBC One

You know it's a big game when it's being shown on BBC One.

Flick on the telly to watch the game from Manchester or click the tab on this page.

Former England defender Alex Scott is fronting the coverage, with expert analysis from Fara Williams and Anita Asante.

If you're not in a position to watch, you can also listen along to BBC Radio 5 Live's commentary.

Options, options. We've got you covered.

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes speaking ahead of the game to BBC about Millie Bright's absence: "Millie will be alright, she just misses out today but she'll be back next week."

On the rivalry between the teams: "I think there is a good healthy rivalry between the two teams, both sets of fans create a good atmosphere and let's hope they make it another one today."

Skipper Millie Bright missing out for Chelsea is the headline team news from City Academy Stadium.

Here's what Blues boss Emma Hayes has to say about it...

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Academy Stadium

Before the players started going through their paces, the club mascots were getting warm with some dancing to the pre-game music.

Stamford and Bridget, the Chelsea Lions, were especially getting in the groove.

Image source, Emma Smith

Image source, Emma Smith

Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City may have seemed unlikely title contenders when they lost their first two WSL matches and also were eliminated from the Champions League at the qualifying stage by Real Madrid.

However, Gareth Taylor's side have not lost a game inside 90 minutes since defeat by Chelsea on 25 September and are unbeaten in 13 WSL games - including 11 wins.

"If you define the season on two games, you're a little bit silly," says City defender Alex Greenwood.

"Football is played over a season, teams take points off each other. Was I worried? No.

"We don't want to start the season with two defeats, but that's football and it's how you react to it.

"Within the dressing room the reaction was brilliant, we know internally how we operate and what we expect from each other. Now you're seeing the best of us."

How it started...

Image source, BBC Sport

How it's going...

Image source, AMA

But how will it finish?

Going into the weekend, just two points separate Chelsea at the top of the table from Manchester United and Manchester City.

Today, City can go joint top with neighbours United if they beat previous leaders Chelsea.

"I can't think of a time where the title race has been this close," former City and England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It's so great to look at this table and think anyone could pip it at the end."

This trio of games is the second half of the WSL action this weekend. After the Merseyside derby kept everyone - whether a blue or a red - relatively happy, before Arsenal and Manchester United cranked up the pressure on Manchester City and Chelsea...

Friday:

Everton 1-1 Liverpool

Saturday:

Tottenham 1-5 Arsenal

Manchester United 4-0 West Ham

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Academy Stadium

The scene around two hours before kick-off at Academy Stadium - by kick-off, this place should be full.

While there may be some disappointment City are not playing over the road at Etihad Stadiun this Women's Football Weekend, hosting their game at their regular venue has allowed for a sell out.

It should make for a buzzing atmosphere.

Image source, Emma Smith

Well, some interesting team news there. Thoughts, people?

How do you see today's games panning out? And what about the WSL title race/relegation battle?

The floor is yours.

Tweet #bbcfootball.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Academy Stadium

Gareth Taylor makes two changes to the Manchester City side which won 2-1 at Brighton in their last WSL match a fortnight ago.

Ellie Roebuck returns in net, with Sandy McIver dropping to the bench, while Esme Morgan replaces Leila Ouahabi.

Khadija Shaw, who has scored all five of Man City's goals in their last two games, leads the line.

Man City XI: Roebuck; Morgan, Houghton, Greenwood, Alexandri; Hasegawa, Angeldahl; Kelly, Coombs, Hemp; Shaw.

Subs: MacIver, Casparij, Stokes, Fowler, Castellanos, Raso, Ouahabi, Kennedy, Blakstad

Millie Bright is absent for Chelsea after going off injured against Lyon on Wednesday, in a big blow for Emma Hayes' side.

Kadeisha Buchanan partners captain Magda Eriksson in central defence for the Blues.

Sam Kerr leads the line as she seeks her 50th WSL goal today.

Chelsea XI: Berger; Mjelde, Buchanan, Eriksson, Carter; Leupolz, Ingle; James, Cuthbert, Reiten; Kerr.

Subs: Musovic, Perisset, Fleming, Kaneryd, Charles, Abdullina, Cankovic

The first course today is undoubtedly the most tasty. But will it live up to expectations?

Manchester City host Chelsea in a top-of-the-table clash which could have huge implications in the WSL title race.

Let's head straight to east Manchester for the team news...

Image source, Getty Images