The Liquidator rings out around Stamford Bridge as the players make their way out onto the pitch.

It's the Blues v the Blues, but the visitors are helpfully playing in yellow to make things easier.

I'll do my best to avoid referring to either side as 'the Blues' this afternoon, and if any slip through, this your invitation to give us a ticking off via the 'Get Involved' button.

That's where we would love you to send your thoughts and opinions on either of this afternoon's game, by the way.

Kick-off is moments away in West London.

Now London City break forward and Isobel Goodwin times her run into space, but her shot is blocked by a last-ditch intervention.

Charlton aren't happy - they think Daniela Arques fouled Gloria Siber in the build-up. The Charlton midfielder is down receiving treatment.

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor reveals that Lauren James picked up a small knock in training on Friday and she didn't want to take the risk by playing her this afternoon.

She tells Sky Sports her squad has the quality to rotate a bit, and the team have three games in the coming week.

James will be a big miss for Chelsea. She has taken a Women's Super League record 19 shots in the first two games of the season.

Gilly Flaherty
Former WSL defender on BBC Two at Emirates Stadium

I though Hutton might have lost it on that first hit. I don't think London expected her to keep on pushing. Just gone straight through the London City back line there.

Charlton's Jodie Hutton creates an opening for herself with the help of a few fortunate deflections off London City defenders, but her strike is deflected behind for a corner, which is cleared.

Gilly Flaherty
Former WSL defender on BBC Two at Emirates Stadium

That's an absolutely brilliant save there from Whitehouse. She has so much hang time to try and claw it out.

Sophie Whitehouse somehow manages to claw away Jana Fernandez's inventive flick from a corner - great athleticism from the Charlton goalkeeper. That looked like it was looping over her and into the corner of the goal.

Birmingham City

Some fighting talk from Birmingham City manager Amy Merricks, observing Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor's choice to rest Katie McCabe and Lauren James, perhaps with an eye on Wednesday's Champions League game against Austria Wien.

"Great, underestimate us, we're going to go after the game," she tells Sky Sports.

Merricks reveals City's plan against "arguably the best team in the league" is to be explosive on the break.

London City left-back Poppy Pattinson gets in behind the defence but he ball across the penalty area in search of Isobel Goodwin is well cut out.

Gilly Flaherty
Former WSL defender on BBC Two at Emirates Stadium

Charlton are a side that are used to not having the ball. You can see how they drop defensively.

As you might expect, London City Lionesses have been on the front foot in the opening stages.

Jana Fernandez whips in a cross from the right flank, but Danielle van de Donk's header drifts way off target.

London City Lionesses

London City Lionesses boss Eder Maestre speaking to BBC Two before kick-off: "It's a long term competition, it's about having consistency. As staff, we want to put the players in the best position to win. We are here to demonstrate how dominant we can be."

Charlton get the match under way.

Charlton Athletic

Charlton Athletic boss Karen Hills speaking to BBC Two: "It's a fantastic test, one that we're relishing and enjoying the opportunity. They have some fantastic players but if you look at our performance from last week, it was night and day compared to our opening game. The players are relishing the opportunity. We have to focus on ourselves and match our performance from last week."

Image source, Getty Images

At all WSL and WSL 2 matches this weekend, fans are being encouraged to applaud in the 13th minute in tribute to former Liverpool manager Matt Beard, who died on 20 September, 2025.

There will also be a minute of applause before Chelsea v Birmingham City gets under way at Stamford Bridge.

Under Beard's management Liverpool won back-to-back Women's Super League titles in 2013 and 2014, before securing promotion back to the WSL in 2022 by winning the FA Women's Championship title.

Beard was twice named WSL manager of the season, and inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Anita Asante
Former Arsenal and England defender on BBC Two

Charlton have conceded five goals across two matches. The are bottom in the league of every component which means every decision they make, every action they make has to be spot on. In this league, if you make mistakes you will be punished.

Here's a reminder of what we've got coming up today.

Anita Asante
Former Arsenal and England defender on BBC Two

We know that London City Lionesses are a team that want to attack, they've got stardust all over the pitch. They like to play an aggressive high line where they are ready for counter-attack situations. But, that leaves so much space behind them.

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on BBC Two

London City Lionesses have to get the balance right between when they do counter-attack and when need to fill the gaps. They got it a bit wrong against West ham and were punished.

Chelsea

Today Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor will manage of the 200th match of her career.

The Frenchwoman managed Lyon for 118 games before taking charge of the Blues in 2024, and this afternoon's game against newly-promoted Birmingham City is her 82nd as Chelsea manager.

As manager, Bompastor has never lost against a promoted side, drawing twice and winning the rest in 16 league encounters.