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

While the Gunners have already booked their place in the quarter-finals, Zurich have been eliminated after losing all five of their group games.

Match preview

Zurich may have eased their way through qualifying, but they have struggled to adapt to the step up in quality during the main draw.

In their five group matches, they have conceded 17 goals and only found the net on one occasion, and Zurich's largest defeat of their Champions League campaign took place against Juventus last week.

Cristiana Girelli racked up four goals on her way to guiding Juventus to a 5-0 victory that leaves the Swiss side bottom of the group without a point to their name.

Zurich will now face Arsenal in their final European game of the season, and although they have lost their last three Champions League matches by a margin of three goals or more, they may be able to take some inspiration from their performance at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite losing 3-1, Seraina Piubel managed to score Zurich's only goal of the group stage during the away meeting with the Gunners, and they will at the very least be looking to find the net for a second time when they face Arsenal on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Arsenal sealed their place in the Champions League knockout rounds last week, even though they were beaten 1-0 by defending champions Lyon at the Emirates Stadium.

A Frida Maanum own goal condemned Arsenal to a narrow defeat in a game which was overshadowed by Vivianne Miedema being stretchered off, and it has since been confirmed that the Netherlands international has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Although the Gunners have booked their spot in the quarter-final draw, there is still work to do if they wish to keep hold of top spot.

Jonas Eidevall's side are currently level on points with Lyon, but they sit in pole position due to their head-to-head record, and they are also two points clear of third-placed Juventus.

After winning six of their seven competitive away matches this season, Arsenal will be confident that they can claim a victory that would seal first place, while a draw would be enough if Lyon drop points against Juventus in their final group game.

Zurich Women Women's Champions League form:

Zurich Women (all competitions) form:

Arsenal Women Women's Champions League form:

W

W

W

D

W

L

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

L

D

W

W

W

L

Team News

After being sent off against Juventus, Irina Pando is suspended for Zurich's final group game, and she is expected to be replaced in the lineup by Naomi Megroz.

Marie Hobinger returned to the matchday squad last week following a spell on the sidelines, and after being an unused substitute, she will hope to feature in some capacity against Arsenal.

Although Fabienne Humm has failed to find the net in the group stage, she registered four goals in the qualifying rounds, and she will be looking to score add to the one goal that Zurich have scored in the main draw when she starts up front on Wednesday.

As for the visitors, Miedema is set to undergo surgery following the announcement that she sustained a serious knee injury against Juventus.

Like Miedema, Beth Mead is also a long-term absentee due to an ACL injury, although Kim Little and Lina Hurtig have recently returned from their respective spells on the sidelines.

Little was an unused substitute last week, while Hurtig came off the bench late on, and they will be keen to get some minutes under their belt against Zurich.

Zurich Women possible starting lineup:

Friedli; Riesen, Stierli, Vetterlein, Megroz; Pinther, Wos, Rey, Piubel; Humm, Pilgrim

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

Zinsberger; Wienroither, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Catley; Walti, Maanum, Nobbs; Foord, McCabe, Blackstenius

We say: Zurich Women 0-3 Arsenal Women

Although the Gunners are unable to call upon the likes of Miedema and Mead, we think that they will have too much quality for Zurich, and as a result, we expect Arsenal to cruise to a comfortable victory.

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