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Women's Super League | Gameweek 20
May 5, 2023 at 7.30pm UK
 

Arsenal Women
1 - 0
Leicester Women

Maanum (64')
Maanum (90+7')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Plumptre (48'), Bott (90+8')

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

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

Arsenal Women will have to pick themselves up from their Champions League semi-final exit when they welcome relegation-threatened Leicester Women to Meadow Park on Thursday.

The Gunners are currently sitting in fourth position in the Women's Super League table, while the Foxes will enter the contest in 10th.


Match preview

Stina Blackstenius celebrates scoring for Arsenal Women on May 1, 2023© Reuters

Despite being without a number of key players, Arsenal ran Wolfsburg close in the semi-finals of the Champions League, but they ultimately fell short in their quest to reach their second European final.

After coming from two goals down to draw the first leg, Arsenal took the early advantage at a packed-out Emirates Stadium on Monday thanks to Stina Blackstenius's opener, before strikes from Jill Roord and Alex Popp turned the contest in Wolfsburg's favour.

Jen Beattie restored parity to send the tie to extra time where Pauline Bremer found the winner in the 119th minute to quash Arsenal's European dreams.

Arsenal will now turn their attention back to league matters, and the fourth-placed side know that they need to finish with a positive run of results to finish in the top three and qualify for a place in next season's Champions League.

Having won their previous three WSL meetings with Leicester by a combined 13-0 scoreline, the Gunners will be confident of picking up all three points on Thursday.

Leicester City Women players in a huddle before the match on February 4, 2023© Reuters

After beating relegation rivals Reading 2-1 at the beginning of April, Leicester claimed a second straight victory in emphatic fashion when they played host to Liverpool on Saturday.

The Foxes took a two-goal lead into half time thanks to strikes from Josie Green and Carrie Jones, before Ashleigh Plumptre and Missy Goodwin put their names on the scoresheet in the second period to wrap up a commanding 4-0 victory.

The impressive result lifted the Foxes out of the sole relegation place and two points clear of Reading, who are now propping up the WSL table.

Leicester will know that they are far from safe, especially with two difficult away games against Arsenal and Chelsea coming up over the next seven days.

Having lost seven of their eight away games in the WSL this season, the Foxes will know that they will have their work cut out to pick up a positive result on Thursday.

Arsenal Women Women's Super League form:


Arsenal Women form (all competitions):


Leicester Women Women's Super League form:


Team News

Arsenal Women manager Jonas Eidevall reacts on May 1, 2023© Reuters

Arsenal are unable to call upon the services of Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Kim Little.

Laura Weinroither will be unavailable after being stretchered off against Wolfsburg in the second leg, while Caitlin Foord is a doubt after missing the last three matches.

After returning from a spell on the sidelines to feature as a substitute on Monday, Lina Hurtig could be presented with a starting opportunity.

As for the visitors, Willie Kirk has revealed that he has no fresh injury concerns, but he is still without long-term absentees Abbie McManus, Shannon O'Brien and Lachante Paul.

After missing Saturday's victory through suspension, Sam Tierney could return to the starting lineup for Thursday's encounter.

Despite coming off the bench to score against Liverpool, Goodwin may have to settle for a place among the substitutes once again.

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:
Zinsberger; Maritz, Wubben-Moy, Rafaelle, Catley; Walti, Maanum; Kuhl, Pelova, McCabe; Blackstenius

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:
Leitzig; Bott, Howard, Plumptre, Nevin; Tierney, Mace; Jones, Green, Whelan; Cain


SM words green background

We say: Arsenal Women 3-0 Leicester Women

Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 victory when the two sides met in November, and while Leicester have improved since that result, we think that the Gunners will prove too strong once again.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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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Game History

How you voted: Arsenal Women vs Leicester Women

Arsenal Women
81.8%
Draw
18.2%
Leicester Women
0.0%
11
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Arsenal Women manager Jonas Eidevall claps the fans with players on April 23, 2023
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