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

Wolfsburg are making their eighth appearance in a European semi-final, while the Gunners are appearing at the last-four stage for the seventh time.

Match preview

Wolfsburg secured their place in the last four for the second straight season with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals.

After losing to Barcelona at this stage of the competition last term, Wolfsburg will be hoping to reach the final for the first time since 2020.

The ultimate goal for the German club is to lift the Champions League trophy for the third time in their history, but first they must negotiate a quarter-final tie with Arsenal.

Tommy Stroot's charges warmed up for the first leg with a 3-0 league win over Duisburg, which moved them two points clear of second-placed Bayern Munich, who have a game in hand.

Wolfsburg have won the home leg in their last three two-legged European semi-final ties, which will provide them will a source of inspiration for Sunday's encounter.

Arsenal will have to pick themselves up following a tumultuous week, after their captain Leah Williamson suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Wednesday's league defeat to Manchester United.

The 1-0 also dented Arsenal's title aspirations, but they have little time to feel sorry for themselves as they prepare for their first European semi-final since 2013.

Ten years later, the Gunners are preparing to face the same team, but they will be hoping for a better showing than their 2012-13 semi-final tie with Wolfsburg, which ended in a 4-1 defeat.

Jonas Eidevall's side have already beaten German opposition this season, after eliminating Bayern Munich in the previous round with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

With their previous six away legs in the Champions League last four producing two draws and four defeats, Arsenal will have the chance to claim their first away win in a European semi-final on Sunday.

Wolfsburg Women Women's Champions League form:

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Wolfsburg Women form (all competitions):

Arsenal Women Women's Champions League form:

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Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

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Team News

After breaking her collarbone earlier this month, Lena Lattwein is unlikely to return in time for the first leg.

Alex Popp has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, and the Wolfsburg captain remains a doubt for Sunday's encounter.

Goalkeeper Merle Frohms did not feature in the matchday squad for the win over Duisburg, but the Germany international is expected to feature between the posts against Arsenal.

As for the visitors, Williamson will miss the rest of the season, and the Arsenal captain will join Kim Little, Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead on the sidelines.

After missing the defeat to Man United through injury, Caitlin Foord is a doubt for the trip to Germany.

Steph Catley returned from a spell on the sidelines to come off the bench at half time in midweek, and the 29-year-old is expected to be included in Sunday's starting lineup.

Wolfsburg Women possible starting lineup:

Frohms; Wilms, Hendrich, Janssen, Rauch; Oberdorf, Roord; Huth, Jonsdottir, Brand; Pajor

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

Zinsberger; Maritz, Wubben-Moy, Rafaelle, Catley; Maanum, Walti, McCabe; Pelova, Kuhl, Blackstenius

We say: Wolfsburg Women 2-1 Arsenal Women

Arsenal will head to Germany without a number of their key players, and after losing four of their last five competitive home games, we think claiming a positive result may prove difficult.

Although we think the Gunners will fall to a defeat in the first leg, we expect the deficit to be slender one, which would keep Arsenal in the tie ahead of the home leg on May 1.

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