Two sides level on 15 points in the Women's Super League table will face off on Sunday when Everton Ladies play host to West Ham United Women.
The Toffees claimed a 3-2 victory over Reading in their first match of 2023, while West Ham United were narrowly beaten by Manchester City last weekend.
Match preview
© Reuters
After beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 in their final league game of 2022, Everton began the new year with another three-goal haul.
Katja Snoeijs and Jess Park both found the net to give Everton a 2-0 lead at half time of their home meeting with Reading last weekend, before the Royals halved the deficit through Justine Vanhaevermaet on the hour mark.
Within a minute, Gabby George opened her account for the season to restore Everton's two-goal advantage, although Deanna Cooper reduced the deficit in the 68th minute, the Toffees held firm to secure a 3-2 win.
As a result of that victory, Brian Sorensen's side moved up to fifth position by virtue of their superior goal difference over West Ham, which represents a sign of progress for the Toffees, who finished last season in 10th place.
After winning their last two league games, Everton now have the chance to record three consecutive WSL victories for the first time since October 2020.
© Reuters
Following a 2-0 away win over Tottenham before the winter break, West Ham would have been looking to claim two straight wins when they faced Manchester City last weekend.
Unfortunately for the Hammers, they were edged out by the Citizens following Khadija Shaw's second-half strike, although Paul Konchesky would have taken confidence from his team's performance against a Man City side chasing Champions League qualification.
Unlike Sunday's opponents, West Ham were also in action in midweek, playing out a goalless League Cup draw against fellow WSL side Brighton & Hove Albion, who beat the Hammers on penalties to claim a bonus point.
West Ham still managed to finish top of their League Cup group, and they will now face Liverpool in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, but their current focus will be on Sunday's fixture, where a win would move them above Everton.
The visitors also have the chance to claim a league double over the Toffees after winning 1-0 in the reverse fixture on the opening weekend of the season.
- W
- L
- L
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
The hosts are expected to be without the services of Katrine Veje, who is sidelined for a least a few weeks with an injury issue.
Nathalie Bjorn had to be withdrawn at half time against Reading due to a hamstring problem, but she is expected to recover in time for Sunday's game.
After claiming a 3-2 victory over Reading last weekend, Sorensen may decide to name an unchanged lineup for the home meeting with West Ham.
As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon Jess Ziu, who is a long-term absentee with a knee injury.
Abbey-Leigh Stringer dropped out of the squad for the midweek cup win, but she could return to the starting lineup on Sunday.
With five goals to her name, Dagny Brynjarsdottir has top scored for West Ham in the WSL this season, and she will look to provide a goal threat from midfield.
Everton Ladies possible starting lineup:
Ramsey; Hope, Bjorn, Sevecke, George; Bennison, K Holmgaard, Galli; Sorensen, Park, Snoeijs
West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:
Arnold; Shimizu, Fisk, Cissoko, Smith; Brynjarsdottir, Stringer, Hayashi; Longhurst, Evans, Asseyi
We say: Everton Ladies 1-1 West Ham United Women
Although Everton are aiming to claim a third consecutive league victory, we think that they will have to settle for a point against a West Ham side who proved against Man City that they can compete with even the best teams in the WSL.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
