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

The Robins, meanwhile, are still searching for their first points of the season after losing their opening three Women's Super League games.

Match preview

After spending two seasons in the second tier, Bristol City have found it tough going on their return to the top flight.

Lauren Smith's side began the campaign with a 4-2 defeat to Leicester City, before they were beaten 3-1 in their away meeting with Tottenham Hotspur.

They missed the chance to build confidence in the opening group game of the League Cup after they played out a 1-1 draw with second-tier side Southampton, before they lost the subsequent penalty shootout, ensuring the Saints took home the bonus point.

In their most recent outing, the Robins were blown away by potential title contenders Manchester City, who scored five goals in the first period to condemn Bristol City to a demoralising 5-0 defeat.

Saturday's hosts are one of two teams yet to pick up a WSL point this season, and they face another difficult challenge in their first meeting with Arsenal since April 2021.

The Gunners will head into Sunday's contest in a positive mood after they beat Aston Villa to record their first victory of the WSL season.

Jonas Eidevall's side experienced an underwhelming start to the campaign, losing at home to Liverpool, before requiring a late equaliser to draw with Manchester United.

Their wait for a win looked set to continue when Maz Pacheco gave Aston Villa the lead at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.

However, there was to be some late drama, as Katie McCabe pulled the Gunners level in stoppage-time before Alessia Russo found the net to snatch all three points after being teed up by Beth Mead, who was making her first appearance since November 2022.

After picking up maximum points against the Villans, seventh-placed Arsenal will attempt to clinch their first away win of the season when they make the trip to Ashton Gate.

Bristol City Women Women's Super League form:

L

L

L

Bristol City Women form (all competitions):

Arsenal Women Women's Super League form:

L

D

W

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

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Team News

Bristol City are expected to still be without the services of goalkeeper Fran Bentley and forward Abi Harrison due to injury.

There are also doubts surrounding the availability of Jess Simpson, who missed the heavy 5-0 defeat to Man City.

Smith could be tempted to make a couple of changes to her side, with Ffion Morgan and Ella Powell both in contention to start.

As for the visitors, Mead will appear on the bench again after making her first appearance last weekend since recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Vivianne Miedema could also make her return from an ACL injury, with the Netherlands international in contention to feature in the matchday squad.

However, Leah Williamson, Laura Wienroither and Teyah Goldie remain further behind in their recovery from the same injury.

Bristol City Women possible starting lineup:

Marckese; Powell, Aspin, Layzell, Mustaki; Napier, Morgan, Rodgers, Connolly, Jones; Thestrup

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

Zinsberger; Maritz, Ilestedt, Wubben-Moy, Catley; Little, Walti; McCabe, Pelova, Foord; Russo

We say: Bristol City Women 0-4 Arsenal Women

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