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

Gareth Taylor's side have been struck with many injuries to key players at the beginning of this campaign, and currently sit three points behind the Gunners, who are second to Brighton & Hove Albion on goal difference.

Match preview

Jonas Eidevall has had the perfect start to life as Arsenal manager, with two league wins out of two, including victory over rivals Chelsea.

The Gunners followed up their 3-2 win against the reigning champions with a comfortable 4-0 victory when they travelled across the M4 to face Reading before the international break.

Arsenal held a three-goal advantage at half time in that game, thanks to goals from Jennifer Beattie, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, who completed the job for her side with a fourth goal just after the restart.

After facing Chelsea on the opening day, meeting Man City on Sunday will mean that Arsenal have played two of the title contenders in their first three games, and victory against Taylor's team will likely make Eidevall's side favourites for the WSL crown.

However, Arsenal's recent record against Man City is not favourable for the North London club, who have lost by the scoreline of 2-1 in each of the last four meetings between these two sides.

Man City's last victory against the Gunners came in gameweek 14 last season back in February, when Ellen White and Lauren Hemp sealed an away triumph.

Taylor has had to deal with many injury absentees at the beginning of this campaign, but his side were not fazed on the opening day, running out as comfortable 4-0 winners at Goodison Park against Everton.

However, last time out before the international break, Tottenham Hotspur secured an unlikely three points at the Academy Stadium, despite a controversial winning goal which came in the 86th minute.

Hemp had given the home side an early lead but Spurs grew into the game and completed their turnaround courtesy of an own goal from goalkeeper Karima Benameur, but there was seemingly a handball by Rosella Ayane in the build up.

Based on form and current squad depth, Arsenal are arguably favourites for Sunday's clash, but Taylor will want his side to be more clinical in front of goal than the display they showed against Spurs.

Arsenal Women Women's Super League form:

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

Manchester City Women Women's Super League form:

Manchester City Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Arsenal remain without midfielder Jordan Nobbs, who is expected to be sidelined with injury until next month, but Eidevall has no new absentee concerns ahead of Sunday's game.

Katie McCabe played in a more advanced role against Reading, after operating as a left-back on the opening day against Chelsea, and with two assists to her name already this season, she continues proving to be a creative asset for the Gunners.

Centre-back Leah Williamson enjoyed a successful international week with England, as she captained the senior side for the first time, and she is certain to start this weekend, alongside Beattie at the heart of Arsenal's defence.

Steph Houghton picked up a knock while on international duty, and she joins a whole host of players in the physio room at Man City, including Lucy Bronze, Esme Morgan, Karen Bardsley, Chloe Kelly, Hayley Raso, Ellie Roebuck, Keira Walsh and Caroline Weir.

Taking into consideration Man City's absentees, Taylor could include youngster Ruby Mace, formerly of Arsenal, in the starting lineup and Benameur is going to continue between the posts for the away side.

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

Zinsberger; Catley, Beattie, Williamson, Maritz; Maanum, Little, Walti; McCabe, Miedema, Mead

Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:

Benameur; Stokes, Greenwood, Kennedy, Mace; Stanway, Coombs, Losada; Hemp, White, Beckie

We say: Arsenal Women 2-1 Manchester City Women

Sunday's test for Manchester City posed a big challenge before any injury absentees, so adding that factor to the fixture suggests that it will be a difficult day at the office for the away side.

Arsenal are in fantastic form and will be confident of securing three points, which they should achieve given the current strength and depth of their squad.