Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Women’s Super League clash between Arsenal Women and Everton Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Arsenal Women will attempt to record a third consecutive victory in all competitions when they welcome Everton Women to Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Toffees will hope to pick up their first WSL points of the season after losing their opening two matches.
Match preview
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Arsenal have already played six competitive matches this season, having been involved in the Women’s Champions League from the first qualifying round.
The Gunners beat Rangers and Rosenborg in the first stage, before they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their second-round qualifying tie against Hacken.
After drawing 2-2 with Manchester City in their WSL opener, Jonas Eidevall‘s side overturned the first-leg deficit with a resounding 4-0 win in their home game against Hacken, sealing their place in the group stage.
Arsenal backed up that second-leg win with an away league victory against Leicester City, with Frida Maanum scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 win, extending the club’s unbeaten run in the WSL to eight matches.
The North London club will now look to claim a third consecutive win as they look to build momentum ahead of two crucial fixtures against Bayern Munich and Chelsea in the Champions League and WSL respectively.
Everton have experienced a difficult start to the WSL season, having lost their opening two league games without troubling the scorers.
The Toffees fell to a heavy 4-0 defeat in their away meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion, before they were edged out via a 1-0 scoreline in last Sunday’s league clash with Everton.
Brian Sorensen‘s side then had to settle for a draw in Wednesday’s Women’s League Cup clash against Championship side Newcastle United, with Emma Bissell scoring in the second half to cancel out Demi Stokes‘s opener.
While they would have been frustrated with the scoreline, Everton did at least prevail in the subsequent penalty shootout to take home a useful bonus point.
The Toffees will now turn their focus to Sunday’s difficult league fixture, and while they may have their work cut out against a potential title contender, they may be able to draw inspiration from the fact they drew 1-1 in their most recent game against Arsenal in April.
Arsenal Women Women’s Super League form:
Arsenal Women form (all competitions):
Everton Women Women’s Super League form:
Team News
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Arsenal are expected to be without the services of Steph Catley, Amanda Ilestedt, Victoria Pelova and Lina Hurtig.
Captain Leah Williamson remains a doubt for Sunday’s fixture after being forced to miss the last three matches due to injury.
Goalkeeper Daphe van Domselaar made her Arsenal debut against Leicester, and the summer signing will hope to retain her place for the home meeting with Everton.
Former Barcelona forward Mariona Caldentey could be considered for recalls after she dropped down to the bench last weekend.
As for the Toffees, they have suffered a major blow after it was confirmed that Inma Gabarro suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury against Man United.
Gabarro was stretchered off just one week after Aurora Galli suffered the same injury in Everton’s league opener against Brighton.
Melissa Lawley is also ruled out of Sunday’s away trip, while it seems unlikely that Karen Holmgaard will be passed fit for the weekend.
Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:
Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Codina, McCabe; Walti, Cooney-Cross; Mead, Maanum, Caldentey; Russo
Everton Women possible starting lineup:
Brosnan; Hope, Finnigan, Stenevik, S. Holmsgaard; Olesen, Hayashi, Vanhaevermaet, Wheeler, Sarri; Snoeijs
We say: Arsenal Women 2-0 Everton Women
Arsenal will be in a positive mood after winning their last two competitive matches, and we think they continue to build momentum by sweeping past an Everton side who may be low on confidence after losing their first two league matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.