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

Arsenal Women will attempt to record an eighth consecutive victory in all competitions when they travel to the Midlands to face Leicester Women on Sunday.

The hosts, meanwhile, will look to get off to a positive start under their new manager Willie Kirk, who has taken over the reins from Lydia Bedford.

Match preview

Despite conducting the pre-match press conference, Bedford will not be in the dugout against Arsenal after she was sacked on Thursday.

Kirk will move from his role as Director of Football to take on a managerial role for the first time since leaving Everton in October 2021.

The new Leicester boss takes over a side that are bottom of the WSL table without a point to their name, while they are winless in 13 league matches.

Leicester have struggled at both ends of the pitch this season, conceding 12 goals and only scoring on two occasions in their opening six WSL games.

After losing by a combined 9-0 scoreline in their two meetings with Arsenal last term, the Foxes will at the very least be looking for a competitive performance on Sunday.

While Leicester are struggling at the bottom of the WSL, the Gunners are one of two teams in the WSL that still have a 100% record.

Including last season, Arsenal are unbeaten in their previous 17 WSL games, while they have won their last 13 league matches.

Last weekend, the Gunners came from behind to beat West Ham United 3-1 thanks to goals from Jordan Nobbs, Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum.

As a result of the victory, Jonas Eidevall's side are level on 15 points with Manchester United and Chelsea, although the Blues have played one game more.

With the Red Devils and Chelsea set to face off this weekend, Arsenal have the chance to gain ground on at least one of their title rivals.

Leicester Women Women's Super League form:

Leicester Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Leicester will be without the services of Josie Green for a few weeks, while Hannah Cain will also miss out, although she is progressing well in her recovery from injury.

In his first game in charge, Kirk may decide to stick with the back three of Sophie Howard, Sam Tierney and Ashleigh Plumptre.

After scoring against Reading last weekend, Natasha Flint is expected to retain her place in the side, and she could be joined in the frontline by Missy Goodwin.

As for the Gunners, they are still expected to be without the services of defenders Leah Williamson and Rafaelle.

Kim Little is also ruled out due to an injury issue, while Arsenal have given Vivianne Miedema a leave of absence.

After coming off the bench to score Arsenal's opening goal in the win over West Ham, Nobbs could be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup.

Levell; Howard, Tierney, Plumptre; Simon, Whelan, Pike, C. Jones, Purfield; Flint, Goodwin

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

We say: Leicester Women 0-4 Arsenal Women

Arsenal have begun the season in fine form, and we think that they will have little trouble beating a Leicester side that are still searching for their first points of the season.