The Women's Super League kicks back into action this weekend with the London derby between joint-top Chelsea and fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
After beating Manchester United 3-1 before the international break, Chelsea are level on points with leaders Arsenal, but a much-anticipated return from manager Emma Hayes could be on the cards this weekend as the Blues bid to capitalise on their eight-game winning streak.
Meanwhile, a waterlogged pitch postponed Spurs' final league clash against Everton, meaning Rehanne Skinner's side were unable to build on a jaw-dropping 8-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion before the interval.
Below, football.london unpacks everything you need to know heading into Sunday.
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Blues boosted by potential Hayes' return as gear shift imminent
The Blues are rumoured to be welcoming Hayes back to the touchline in what would mark an incredible return by the 46-year-old just six weeks after undergoing an emergency hysterectomy.
The comeback could also prove the catalyst to shift Chelsea back into top gear. Despite a steady winning run under assistant managers Denise Reddy and Paul Green, the ruthless nature that has earned Chelsea five WSL titles in seven years hasn't been there for the whole of the season. While their victory over United kept them on pace with Arsenal in the table, the performance was far from vintage and littered with the sloppiness and wastefulness in front of goal that has crept into their game recently.
In fact, barring their 8-0 rout of Vllaznia in the Champions League, the Blues have failed to claim a victory margin larger than two goals.
Whether Hayes' conspicuous presence on the touchline can channel the Chelsea of old will be the ultimate question, and one that Tottenham will hope is not the case.
Spurs problematic lack of goals means defence is paramount
Chelsea have won all five of their WSL matches against Spurs, scoring 12 and conceding just two. The history hardly bodes well for Rehanne Skinner's side, but since the Dutch manager's arrival, Spurs have honed a resilience to their game that has frustrated plenty.
Goalscoring, however, remains problematic. Only second-from-bottom Reading (50) have managed fewer shots than Tottenham's 54 this season, according to Opta. The 8-0 thrashing of Brighton the last weekend of October saw Spurs outscore their goal tally for the current season.
Wingback Ashleigh Neville and former Chelsea player Drew Spence, who switched allegiances this summer, have proven the brightest attacking lights in Skinner's ranks, and when the side plays off Spence, the direct style certainly breeds moments of danger.
But goalscoring opportunities will prove a rarity at Stamford Bridge, particularly with England's Lauren James and Australia's Sam Kerr scything into goalscoring form.
James, in particular, has cut herself a lethal threat of late. The 21-year-old midfielder was involved in four goals in her last two appearances, as many as she had in her 22 appearances last season.
Spurs' defence will likely come to the fore, and it will be up to Chelsea to prove they still have the quality to prise open a stubborn block. And with Arsenal, top of the table on goal difference, set to face third-placed United on Saturday, Chelsea will be ravenous to do so. Whether Spurs can thwart that game plan remains the question.
The London derby kicks off at 1pm GMT from Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
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