Arsenal Womenvs.Bristol Women

The Gunners are sitting in third position, while the Robins are languishing at the foot of the table with just six points to their name.

Match preview

Arsenal went into the international period in a celebratory mood after they edged out Chelsea in extra-time to retain the League Cup trophy.

The final appeared to be heading towards penalties until Stina Blackstenius produced the decisive strike in the 116th minute, securing the record winners a seventh League Cup.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, they will almost certainly have to settle for one piece of silverware this season, with the Gunners currently sitting nine points adrift of WSL leaders Manchester City with a game in hand.

While the title may be out of reach, Jonas Eidevall's side are at least on course to qualify for the Champions League, having established a six-point advantage over fourth-placed Manchester United.

Arsenal will be looking to continue their impressive home form this weekend after recording nine consecutive home league victories since losing to Liverpool in October.

Having won just one of their 17 league matches, Bristol City will have to pull off a great escape if they are to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.

With five matches left to play, Lauren Smith's side are seven points behind 11th-placed West Ham United, who have played one game more.

Bristol City suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur before the international break, extending their losing run to four matches since playing out a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at the beginning of February.

Although they have failed to score in their last two matches, Bristol City's biggest weakness lies at the opposite end of the pitch, having conceded 48 league goals to leave them with the worst defensive record in the top flight.

The Robins will be obvious underdogs for Sunday's away fixture, especially as they have lost each of their previous nine head-to-head matches against Arsenal.

Arsenal Women Women's Super League form:

W

L

W

W

L

W

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

Bristol City Women Women's Super League form:

L

D

L

L

L

L

Team News

Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum is progressing well after collapsing on the pitch in last month's League Cup final against Chelsea, but the Norwegian will not be ready to feature in Sunday's league fixture.

The Gunners are also expected to be without Lia Walti, Viviane Miedema, Amanda, Lina Hurtig and Teyah Goldie.

Laia Codina will have to be assessed after she withdrew from the Spain squad ahead of Tuesday's Euro 2025 qualifiers against the Czech Republic due to a muscle issue.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be unable to call upon Shania Hayles, who picked up an injury in the defeat to Tottenham before the international break.

Chloe Mustaki, Satara Murray and Carrie Jones are also set to miss out due to injury, but Smith is hopeful Rachel Furness and Naomi Layzell be passed fit to feature in Sunday's squad.

Jamie-Lee Napier has served her one-match suspension and is now pushing to start against the Gunners this weekend.

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

Zinsberger; Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Pelova, Little; Mead, Blackstenius, Lacasse, Russo

Bristol City Women possible starting lineup:

Bentley; Powell, Aspin, Connolly, Ward, Napier; Morgan, Rodgers, Syme, Harrison; Thestrup

We say: Arsenal Women 3-0 Bristol City Women

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