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

The hosts are currently sitting in third place in the WSL table, while the Red Devils are four points adrift in fourth position.

Match preview

Arsenal saw their title hopes dented by a narrow 2-1 defeat against West Ham United earlier this month, which has left them six points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

The Gunners experienced more disappointment last weekend, as they fell to a narrow 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Following a couple of poor results, the Gunners bounced back with a comfortable 4-0 victory over London City Lionesses in the League Cup quarter-finals thanks to a Cloe Lacasse brace as well as goals from Kim Little and Alessia Russo.

They will now turn their attention to Saturday's league fixture, where they will have the opportunity to claim a sixth consecutive home victory in the WSL.

The Gunners will also be looking to beat Man United for the first time since November 2021, having failed to win any of their last five competitive meetings.

After finishing runners-up last season, Man United's hopes of mounting another title push have been dashed by their inability to find consistency this term.

Red Devils are currently 10 points adrift of top spot after winning seven, drawing three and losing three of their 13 league matches.

While their title hopes are all but over, they still have the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League for a second straight season, especially as they have the chance to move within one point of the Gunners with a victory on Saturday.

Man United will carry some momentum into the weekend after following consecutive league wins with a 3-1 away victory over second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round.

The Red Devils can also take confidence from the fact that they recorded a narrow 3-2 win on their most recent trip to the Emirates Stadium in November 2022.

Arsenal Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

L

W

W

L

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

Manchester United Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

L

L

W

W

Manchester United Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Arsenal are unable to call upon Lina Hurtig, Laura Wienroither and Teyah Goldie due to injury, while Emma Fox has joined up with the USA squad ahead of the Gold Cup.

Vivianne Miedema is in contention to return to the matchday squad after missing the last two matches with a slight knee irritation.

Eidevall revealed that Caitlin Foord was taken off in the midweek cup win as a precaution, and the Australia international is expected to be ready to take her place in the side for Saturday's contest.

As for the visitors, Marc Skinner has confirmed that Jayde Riviere will miss out for a second straight game after picking up a knock against Brighton earlier this month.

Geyse and Lucia Garcia were left out of the squad for last weekend's FA Cup tie, but the pair are set to come back into the starting lineup for Saturday's trip to the capital.

The in-form Nikita Parris is expected to lead the line against her former club, having scored seven goals in her last six competitive appearances.

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

Zinsberger; McCabe, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Catley; Pelova, Walti; Mead, Maanum, Foord; Russo

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:

Earps; Blundell, Le Tissier, Turner, Evans; Naalsund, Zelem; Geyse, Toone, Garcia; Parris

We say: Arsenal Women 2-2 Manchester United Women

Both teams will be desperate to claim all three points in their quest to secure a top-three place, but after playing out a draw in October's reverse fixture, we think that the two sides may have to settle for a share of the spoils once again.

Previews by email