MX23RW : Sunday, December 19 08:55:48| >> :120:51917:51917:
Dec 12, 2021 at 6.45pm UK
Arsenal WomenArsenal Women
4-0
Leicester WomenLeicester Women
Nobbs (22'), Miedema (34'), Maanum (81', 83')
Nobbs (90+3')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Sigsworth (3'), O'Brien (6'), Tierney (82'), Plumptre (86')
Purfield (43')

Preview: Arsenal Women vs. Leicester Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Women's Super League clash between Arsenal Women and Leicester Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

After suffering two consecutive defeats, Arsenal Women will look to get back to winning ways, when they host Leicester Women on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Foxes are rooted to the bottom of the Women's Super League after losing all eight league games this season, and their task does not get any easier with a trip to the league leaders at the weekend.


Match preview

Katie McCabe in action for Arsenal Women in October 2021© Reuters

Arsenal are looking to end a disappointing week on a positive note after suffering defeats in the FA Cup Final and Champions League group stage in the last seven days.

After losing to Chelsea in the final last weekend, the Gunners had the difficult task of facing Barcelona on Thursday, and it proved to be a tough evening for the English side as the reigning European champions sauntered to a 4-0 victory.

On Sunday, Jonas Eidevall's side will turn their attention back to the WSL, where a thrilling title race is unfolding between Arsenal and the defending champions Chelsea.

The Gunners sit a point clear of their rivals, and are yet to taste defeat in the league this season, winning seven of their eight league matches.

A formidable defence has seen Arsenal only concede three goals this season, while Chelsea are the only side to have scored more than the Gunners, and Eidevall will be confident that his side can maintain their lead at the top when they face Leicester on Sunday.

Jonas Eidevall, now in charge of Arsenal Women, pictured in 2019© Reuters

It has been an uphill struggle for Leicester this season, and their woes this term resulted in Jonathan Morgan being relieved of his managerial duties after their league defeat to Everton.

The Foxes have appointed England Under-17s head coach Lydia Bedford as their new manager until the end of the season, and Bedford will take charge of her first game as Leicester boss on Sunday.

She will take over a side that received a confident boost in midweek, when goals from Sophie Howard and Natasha Flint helped Leicester to a 2-2 draw against Manchester United in the League Cup, and they claimed an extra point by winning the subsequent penalty shootout.

Bedford and her side will focus on the relegation battle that is unfolding between themselves and Birmingham City, with the Blues just a point clear of the Foxes.

After conceding 19 league goals this term, Leicester will be hoping that they can keep out the dangerous Arsenal front line on Sunday.

Arsenal Women Women's Super League form:
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L

Leicester Women Women's Super League form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L

Leicester Women form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W



Team News

Arsenal's Kim Little celebrates scoring their first goal against Aston Villa in the Women's Super League on October 3, 2021© Reuters

Arsenal are still without the services of England international Leah Williamson, with the defender unavailable due to injury.

After being dropped to the bench for the Barcelona encounter, Carlotte Wubben-Moy could come back into the backline.

Vivianne Miedema will also return to the starting lineup as she looks to add to the six league goals she has scored in the league this season.

As for Leicester, they are missing Connie Schofield and Lachante Paul due to injury issues.

Goalkeeper Kirstie Levell is still out injured and is expected to be absent for an extended period.

Following their impressive performance in midweek, Bedford could name an unchanged side for the Arsenal encounter.

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:
Zinsberger; Martiz, Wubben-Moy, Beattie, Catley; Walti, Maanum, Little; Mead, McCabe, Miedema

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:
Lambourne; Brougham, McManus, Plumptre, Howard; Purfield, Tierney, O'Brien, De Graaf; Flint, Sigsworth


SM words green background

We say: Arsenal Women 3-0 Leicester Women

Bedford would have hoped for a slightly more easier opponent for her first game in charge, and we think that her opener will end in defeat with Arsenal possessing too much firepower for the Foxes.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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How you voted: Arsenal Women vs Leicester Women

Arsenal Women
33.3%
Draw
0.0%
Leicester Women
66.7%
9
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Chelsea's Magdalena Eriksson celebrates scoring their fourth goal against Manchester City on November 14, 2021
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