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

The hosts, meanwhile, will be looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat in the WSL after losing to Manchester City and Everton in their last two league games.

Match preview

Although West Ham have lost their opening two league games of 2023, they have enjoyed success in the cup competitions over the last couple of weeks.

They claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Liverpool in the League Cup to set up a semi-final tie with Chelsea, which takes place on Thursday.

Another victory followed last weekend as West Ham advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup, with a Dagny Brynjarsdottir strike and a Katie Johnson own goal guiding the Hammers to a 2-0 win over third-tier side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Hammers will be hoping to transfer their cup form into the league, as they bid to move into the top half of the table with one point separating them from the top six.

West Ham have experienced mixed fortunes at home this season, with their six home WSL matches split evenly between wins and defeats, and they will be aware that they will have their work cut out against a top-quality Arsenal side.

The Gunners have not played a league game since January 15 after their scheduled meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion was postponed, but they have been in cup action in the last 10 days.

Like Sunday's opponents, Arsenal will be involved in the League Cup semi-finals after cruising to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.

They were also in fine goalscoring form last weekend, racking up nine goals in their FA Cup tie against fourth-tier outfit Leeds United.

As a result of the 9-0 victory, Arsenal set up a fifth-round tie with Arsenal, but they will turn their attention back to league matters this weekend, with Jonas Eidevall's side currently sitting in third place.

Although Arsenal are three points adrift of Chelsea and Manchester United, they hold a game in hand over the top two, and after winning all four of their away league games this season, they will be confident that they can at least maintain that gap by picking up a victory on Sunday.

West Ham United Women Women's Super League form:

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West Ham United Women form (all competitions):

Arsenal Women Women's Super League form:

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Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

Team News

West Ham boss Paul Konchesky has indicated that he has no fresh injury issues ahead of Sunday's game, although Jess Ziu remained sidelined with a knee problem.

Amalie Thestrup and Shannon Cooke joined the club on transfer deadline day, and the two new additions are expected to be on the bench.

Brynjarsdottir will feature in midfield, and the Iceland international will be aiming to continue her fine goalscoring form after finding the net in West Ham's last two matches.

As for the Gunners, they are still without the services of long-term absentees Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, who are ruled out with anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Katie McCabe was reportedly subject to a bid from title rivals Chelsea, but the Gunners rejected the approach, and she is expected to feature in the starting XI on Sunday.

A number of first-team regulars dropped out of the side last weekend, but likes of Noelle Maritz, Rafaelle and Frida Maanum are expected to return to the starting lineup.

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:

Arnold; Smith, Cissoko, Fisk, Shimizu; Stringer, Brynjarsdottir, Hayashi; Snerle, Filis, Asseyi

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

D'Angelo; Maritz, Wubben-Moy, Rafaelle, McCabe; Little, Williamson, Maanum; Hurtig, Foord, Blackstenius

We say: West Ham United Women 1-3 Arsenal Women

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