Arsenal have scored a whopping 46 goals in their 11 league games so far this season (Chelsea, by contrast, have netted 18).

Chelsea's defence is the meanest in the WSL, having conceded only five goals in 12 matches - all in the 5-0 defeat to Arsenal in October.

So, on paper, this game should all be about Arsenal's attack and Chelsea's defence.

But it's not started that way and Chelsea again go close as Karen Carney's ball whistles across the face of Arsenal's six-yard box - but no one is there to tuck it home.

It's Chelsea who threaten first as Erin Cuthbert's clever ball finds Karen Carney in the area.

Carney has space but takes perhaps a fraction of a second too long and her close-range effort is blocked by a combination of Arsenal keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and defender Leah Williamson.

Both sides head into this title race six-pointer in, it's fair to say, jaw-dropping form.

Chelsea have won 10 games in a row in all competitions, without conceding a single goal.

Amazingly, the Blues have earned 12 consecutive clean sheets (11 wins, 1 draw) since October's 5-0 loss at home to Arsenal in the reverse fixture.

Table-topping Arsenal, meanwhile, have won every league and cup game they have played this season - except one.

And it's that one defeat - at Manchester City last month - that means despite having won 10 of their 11 games, Arsenal are still far from assured of being crowned WSL champions for the first time since 2002.

Image source, Rex Features

There's a delay in the game after that free-kick because Eriksson's effort flew out of the ground - and there were no spare balls on the sidelines.

Let's hope both teams are a bit better prepared than the officials...

Early free-kick for Chelsea on the edge of the area.

But Magdalena Eriksson balloons it a long way over the bar.

Chelsea get us under way at a very busy Meadow Park.

This lunchtime's London derby sees the league leaders take on the defending champions. Speaking ahead of today's match, Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro told BBC Sport:

"It's a huge game, not only for us and for Chelsea, but for the game itself. It's going to be an amazing showcase, in regards to the quality and the style of the game."

Asked if Chelsea - who are third in the table - are still title contenders, Montemurro added:

"100%. I never write off a fantastic team. We need to understand that they are still the reigning champions.

"They have a phenomenal squad and there's no way in the world I'll write them off. We need to be on song for the big test."

Arsenal lead the way ahead of today's fixtures, with opponents Chelsea five points adrift in third.

The Gunners have a game in hand on all of their title rivals, including second-placed Manchester City, who remain unbeaten and are away to West Ham United from 15:00 GMT.

Image source, Getty Images

Both these sides progressed to the semi-finals of the Continental Tyres League Cup with wins in the last eight on Wednesday.

Chelsea eased past Reading 4-0, while holders Arsenal came from behind to beat Birmingham City 2-1 late on.

Click here for a full recap.

The big news before kick-off is that Arsenal are without 10-goal Dutch midfielder Danielle van de Donk, who suffered a thigh injury in training this week.

Louise Quinn replaces van de Donk for the Gunners, who are otherwise unchanged from their 4-2 win at West Ham, but count Jordan Nobbs (knee) and Jessica Samuelsson among their long-term absentees.

There's a big milestone for Leah Williamson, who makes her 100th Gunners appearance today.

Chelsea, meanwhile, field the same starting line-up that began 2019 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Everton.

Arsenal XI: Peyraud-Magnin, Williamson, Quinn, Arnth, McCabe, Bloodworth, Walti, Little, Evans, Miedema, Mead.

Subs: van Veenendaal, Mitchell, Kuyken, Veje.

Chelsea XI: Lindahl, Blundell, Bright, Eriksson, Andersson, Spence, Ingle, Cuthbert, Ji, Carney, England.

Subs: Telford, Asante, Carter, Riley, Kirby, Cooper, Bachmann.

Image source, The FA

Good afternoon and welcome to our first Women's Super League live text coverage of 2019 - and it's a big one as the title race continues to come to the boil with leaders Arsenal hosting reigning champions Chelsea.

Arsenal's last home league game was another six-pointer against nearest challengers Manchester City in early December - a match Joe Montemurro's Gunners lost.

A victory for Emma Hayes' Chelsea at Meadow Park today would really throw the battle for the title wide open - and you can follow all the action with us here.