Table-topping City need just one point to dethrone their visitors - the reigning champions - on home soil, securing a first league title for Nick Cushing’s side.
City were pipped to the post in 2015 by the Londoners but have responded in scintillating fashion this year, winning 12 of their 14 games (drawing the other two) and conceding just three.
Oatley, impressed with the Blues’ display so far, believes the title will be heading to Manchester, but warns Emma Hayes’ side will not surrender their crown easily.
Either way, she’s eager to discover the outcome, as she told ManCity.com...
In Jacqui Oatley’s words...
“It’s a game I can’t wait to watch and it doesn’t get much bigger - the top two going head-to-head. It’s fascinating because everyone now is expecting City to go on and win the title and of course, they are highly likely to.
“They are seven points clear of Chelsea with two games to go, but Chelsea have a game in hand. We have to remind ourselves though of the events of a couple of years ago in 2014.
“Everybody expected Chelsea to win the title on the final day and Birmingham were also in the mix, and yet it was third-placed Liverpool who somehow finished top – and no-one was more surprised than them!
“It’s just not over yet. I can just imagine those Chelsea players having fire in their bellies, thinking ‘everybody’s writing us off – they think it’s in City’s possession.’
“Chelsea will see this as an opportunity – a chance to make a statement, because they’ll have been hurt by the fact they lost at home to City earlier in the season. That was pretty much what put them on the back foot in the title race.
“We know what both sides can do on the pitch – they both have the talent to win the game on the day. There’s very little between them in terms of ability.
“It’s very much in City’s hands and you would expect them to win it. What’s going against them perhaps is that City haven’t won it before, although some of the players have, but they’re in a fantastic position and the fact they’ve only conceded three goals in 14 games is phenomenal.
“City will of course go out to win the game but they will build on the platform of keeping a clean sheet; anything more than that will be a bonus. They know they have the firepower to score but I think the emphasis will be on keeping their concentration and keeping their incredible defensive record intact. Perhaps later in the game, they will open it up.
“The onus is on Chelsea to take the game to City because they have to win. It will be interesting. If there is an early goal, it will be a really entertaining game.
“The fans will be really important to City. If they are really noisy and loud and behind them from the start, it will help to settle the players and get them into the fine rhythm they’ve had all season.
“If they can start off calmly and assured, with the backing of their supporters, they can intimidate Chelsea and take it from there. The players know each other so well – they’re a very settled side – and you would expect City to get the point they need. I’m just saying it’s not a foregone conclusion!
“There are such good vibes coming from City at the moment. We had Izzy Christiansen on the Women’s Football Show the other day and she was so positive about the club and its professionalism, and the fact the squad are taking each game as it comes.
“There was no complacency at all - it was a very professional mindset. They know what they have to do and they’re not making any big statements – they’ll do it on the pitch.
“One thing is certain though: if City are going to win the league, Chelsea will want them to at least do it the hard way!”
Cheer City on to the Super League title against Chelsea on 25 September. Secure your seat in the title decider online at tickets.mancity.com.
The Blues are also in the final of the Continental Tyres Cup. Help them win the trophy for the second time. Book your place here.
