Preview: Manchester City Women vs. West Ham United Women - prediction, team news, lineups

The Hammers, meanwhile, will be hoping to return to winning ways after picking just two points from their last seven league games.

Match preview

Man City's 14-game unbeaten run was brought to an end when they travelled to Meadow Park to face Arsenal earlier this month.

Khadija Shaw gave the Citizens the lead after five minutes, but second-half strikes from Frida Maanum and Katie McCabe condemned Gareth Taylor's side to a 2-1 defeat.

With Man City sitting outside the top three on goal difference, their main priority will be securing Champions League football, but a win against West Ham would reignite their title hopes and move them to within three points of their local rivals and current league leaders Manchester United.

Home advantage could prove to be a deciding factor on Sunday, as the Citizens are unbeaten in 16 home league games since losing 4-0 to Chelsea in November 2021.

After claiming maximum points in their last three matches at the Academy Stadium, the hosts will be looking to record a fourth consecutive home league victory on Sunday.

West Ham are still searching for their first WSL victory of 2023 after failing to win any of their seven league games that have taken place since the turn of the year.

The Hammers at least managed to avoid a fourth consecutive WSL defeat in their most recent fixture, as they played out a goalless draw with Liverpool.

With seven points separating them from the top half of the table, matching last season's sixth-place finish looks to be out of reach for the Hammers.

Paul Konchesky will be keen for his side to finish the season with a positive run of results and hold onto seventh position, which would still represent a respectable campaign.

Although the Hammers have their work cut out to claim all three points on Sunday, they may be able to draw inspiration from the fact that they won 2-0 in their last away meeting with Man City, which took place in October 2021.

Manchester City Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

W

W

W

L

Manchester City Women form (all competitions):

West Ham United Women Women's Super League form:

L

D

L

L

L

D

Team News

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Taylor revealed that Man City duo Sandy MacIver and Laia Aleixandri will miss the rest of the season through injury.

Alanna Kennedy and Demi Stokes are also sidelined for the hosts, but Taylor is hopeful the pair will return before the end of the campaign.

The Man City boss also confirmed that Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp have recovered from knocks they picked up on international duty, and the pair are both expected to start against West Ham.

As for the visitors, Konchesky will have the majority of his squad available for Sunday's encounter, although long-term absentee Jess Ziu remains sidelined.

Emma Snerle dropped out of the lineup for the goalless draw with Liverpool, but the Danish international could be in line for a recall.

Amalie Thestrup will continue to lead the line, and the January arrival will be aiming to open her goalscoring account for the Hammers.

Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:

Roebuck; Morgan, Houghton, Greenwood, Ouahabi; Hasegawa, Angeldahl; Kelly, Coombs, Hemp; Shaw

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:

Arnold; Shimizu, Parker, Fisk, Smith; Snerle, Filis, Brynjarsdottir, Asseyi; Hayashi, Thestrup

We say: Manchester City Women 3-0 West Ham United Women

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