League leaders Manchester United Women take on third-place Arsenal Women at Leigh Sports Village in another mouth-watering battle for the WSL title this season.
MUN-W vs ARS-W Match Details
Date: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
Time: 19:15 (BST) / 23:45 (IST)
Venue: Leigh Sports Village, Manchester
MUN-W vs ARS-W Match Preview
Manchester United were involved in a thrilling FA Cup semi-final clash that ended 3-2 in their favor against Brighton Women right after the international break. Substitute Rachel Williams came up with the all-important winner in the 89th minute to set a final with Chelsea Women at Wembley next month. The Red Devils trailed at half-time after Mary Earps turned a cross into her own net although Leah Galton scored within two minutes into the second half to bring her side level. Alessia Russo seemed to have put Manchester United on their way to Wembley with a thumping finish but had to work hard for the winner once Danielle Carter made it 2-2 for the Seagulls capitalizing on an error by Millie Turner at the back. Following the thrilling game, Marc Skinner's side will now face Arsenal Women at home in an intense race for the WSL title separated only by three points. With second-placed Chelsea breathing on their shoulders only a point off with a game in hand, United know the significance of a victory here. Winning six of their last eight home games and losing twice to the Blues in the entire campaign so far should build up confidence for the crucial clash. Also, they are unbeaten against Arsenal in the last three meetings in all competitions winning the reverse fixture in the league 3-2.
Arsenal head into the midweek clash directly on the conclusion of pre-World Cup friendlies having beaten Bayern Munich Women to progress to the semifinals of the Women’s Champions League final and defeating Manchester City Women 2-1 in the WSL to rekindle their league title hope this season. They will meet Wolfsburg Women after this to keep their dreams of triumphing in Europe as well alive but first, league duties need to be sorted out. Having played one less game than Manchester United, the Gunners will feel the win will help them gain a lot of ground in the title race as they go level on points with the table toppers. They have London rivals Chelsea to face in the remaining six games while United will face City in the Manchester derby so there is so much to play for and the result on Wednesday evening will certainly not decide everything. Still, Arsenal will be determined to win the battle having won six of their last seven games in all competition conceding just four times in that period and scoring 18. A victory will also help the North Londoners to move ahead in the head-to-head battle in the WSL having won the same amount of games in this meeting with United with three.
Recent Form (all competitions)
MUN-W: WWWWL
ARS-W: WWWLW
Recent Form (league)
MUN-W: WWLWW
ARS-W: WWWWL
MUN-W vs ARS-W Team News
Manchester United were dealt with a blow when centre-back Maria Thorisdottir suffered a season-ending foot injury last month. The Norwegian joins fellow international Lisa Naalsund on the sidelines. Despite scoring the late winner in the FA Cup win over Brighton, Rachel Williams will have to reprise her substitute role again. Alessia Russo continues to lead the line having scored a stunning winner in the 3-2 victory in the reverse fixture. Changes are expected in the starting eleven after the energy drawing win at the weekend.
Arsenal announced midfielder Kim Little will play no further part this campaign after tearing her hamstring in the Women’s Champions League quarterfinal win over Bayern Munich last month. Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead and Steph Catley are also out for the long term. However, Caitlin Foord will be back in the mix having recovered from an injury scare in the last game against Manchester City. Barring any fresh injury issues, Coach Jonas Eidevall expected to retain the side that won the match against the Citizens before the international break.
MUN-W vs ARS-W Head to Head
MUN-W won - 3
Drawn - 1
ARS-W won - 3
MUN-W vs ARS-W Predicted Lineups
MUN-W: Mary Earps; Ona Batlle, Le Tissier, Millie Turner, Hannah Blundell; Hayley Ladd, Katie Zelem; Lucia Garcia, Ella Toone, Leah Galton; Alessia Russo
ARS-W: D'Angelo; Noelle Maritz, Wubben-Moy, Rafaelle, Katie McCabe; Leah Williamson, Lia Walti; Victoria Pelova, Frida Maanum, Caitlin Foord; Stina Blackstenius
MUN-W vs ARS-W Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Earps (8)
DEF: Battle (8.5), McCabe (8), Blundell (8)
MID: Galton (9), Maanum (9), Zelem (9), Foord (8.5)
FW: Garcia (7.5), Russo (9), Blackstenius (7)
Vice-captain: Frida Maanum or Katie Zelem
Captain: Alessia Russo
