Evertonvs.Arsenal

The Eagles are in third place in the Women's Super League table, while the Toffees are currently sitting in eighth position.

Match preview

Everton will head into Friday's fixture in a positive mood after they recorded their first WSL away victory of the season in their most recent outing against Aston Villa on March 2.

Maren Mjelde scored her first goal for the club to open the scoring, before Honoka Hayashi found the net to wrap up a 2-0 victory at Villa Park.

Brian Sorensen's side have now collected 16 points from 15 WSL matches, leaving them two points adrift of the top half ahead of Friday's fixture.

After beating Villa last time out, Everton now have the chance to claim consecutive WSL victories for the first time since November/December.

While Arsenal may be a difficult opponent, the Toffees can take confidence from the fact they have won three of their previous four home league matches (D1), including a dominant 4-1 win over Leicester in their most recent WSL home game.

Arsenal hopes of winning a trophy this season were dealt a blow in last Sunday's Women's FA Cup quarter-final clash against Liverpool.

Daphne van Domselaar's 78th-minute own goal proved enough to condemn the Gunners to a narrow 1-0 defeat, ending their hopes of winning the FA Cup for the first time since 2016.

With Arsenal 11 points adrift of leaders Chelsea in the WSL, the Women's Champions League represents their only viable path to claiming silverware this season.

The Gunners will travel to Spain for Tuesday's quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid, but first, they will look to claim a third consecutive WSL victory as they look to extend their one-point buffer to fourth-placed Manchester City.

Arsenal have not lost a WSL match against Everton since losing 3-1 in July 2011, however, they will be mindful of dropping points after drawing their last two head-to-head meetings, including a goalless affair in October's reverse fixture.

Everton Women Women's Super League form:

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D

L

W

L

W

Everton Women form (all competitions:

Arsenal Women Women's Super League form:

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W

L

W

W

W

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Everton are still without long-term absentees Megan Finnigan, Inma Gabbaro, Aurora Galli and Kenzie Weir, with the quartet all working on their rehabilitation from anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Australia international Clare Wheeler is unlikely to feature after missing the last three matches with an injury issue.

Sorensen could be tempted to select the same side that started the 2-0 win over Aston Villa, especially as his team have had around two weeks to rest and prepare for Friday's fixture.

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Renee Slegers is expected to be without defender Lotte Wubben-Moy and forward Lina Hurtig for Friday's trip to Walton Hall Park.

Manchester loanee Chloe Kelly could return to the starting lineup after being cup-tied for the recent 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final.

Alessia Russo will continue to lead the line for the visitors, with the striker looking to add to the eight league goals she has scored this season.

Everton Women possible starting lineup:

Brosnan; Mjelde, Fernandez, Stenevik, S. Holmgaard; H. Payne, Ladd, Hayashi, Gago; T. Payne; Snoeijs

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Cooney-Cross, Little, Caldentey; Foord, Kelly, Russo

We say: Everton Women 1-2 Arsenal Women

Everton could provide Arsenal with a stern test in Friday's fixture, especially as they have dropped just two points in their last four home league games.

Written by

Ben Sully

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