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

Manchester United Women will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they welcome Arsenal Women to Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.

The hosts are currently sitting in third place in the Women's Super League table, while the Gunners are two points further back in fifth spot.

Match preview

After having to settle for a fifth-placed finish last term, Man United have made a promising start to the new WSL season, having taken 10 points from their first five matches.

The Red Devils began the campaign with four consecutive victories without conceding, beating West Ham United, Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

However, their winning run was ultimately brought to an end by a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break, as Grace Clinton saw her opener cancelled out by Nikita Parris.

As a result of that draw, Man United went into the international break in third place and three points adrift of Manchester City, who have played a game more.

Having won both of their home league games, Man United will be looking to maintain their 100% home record when they go up against Arsenal on Sunday.

After failing to win either of their head-to-head matches last season (D1, L1), the Red Devils are hoping to beat the Gunners for the first time since April 2023.

Arsenal are still searching for a permanent manager after sacking Jonas Eidevall following a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on October 12.

Interim boss Renee Slegers has made a positive start to her temporary tenure, having claimed back-to-back victories over Valerenga and West Ham United respectively.

The Gunners swept past Valerenga via a 4-1 scoreline to claim their first win of the 2024-25 Women's Champions League group stage, before they produced a strong finish to beat West Ham United in the WSL.

Mariona Caldentey broke the deadlock with a 71st-minute penalty, before Rosa Kafaji doubled the advantage to wrap up Arsenal's second win of the WSL season.

Having made an inconsistent start to the WSL season, Arsenal will head into the weekend in fifth position with five points separating them from the top of the table.

The Gunners can move above Man United if they claim all three points on Sunday, and they may be able to take confidence from the fact that they claimed a 3-1 victory when they last faced off in February.

Manchester United Women Women's Super League form:

Manchester United Women form (all competitions):

Arsenal Women Women's Super League form:

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Anna Sandberg and Evie Rabjohn are working their way back from knee issues and will have to be assessed ahead of Sunday's fixture.

Skinner has confirmed that Melvine Malard is available for selection after returning to training following a two-game injury absence.

Jayde Riviere is also set to make her return from injury, with the right-back set to feature in the backline alongside Maya Le Tissier, Millie Turner and Gabrielle George.

As for the visitors, they are without the injured duo of Laura Wienroither and Victoria Pelova, while Amanda Ilestedt is currently on maternity leave.

England recently revealed that Lotte Wubben-Moy suffered a setback in her bid to come through concussion protocol, and after missing both international friendlies against Germany and South Africa, the Arsenal defender appears to be a doubt for Sunday's WSL meeting with Man United.

Alessia Russo is set to lead the line against her former club, with the striker looking to open her account for the WSL season.

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, George; Janssen, Naalsund; Bizet, Toone, Clinton; Terland

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup: Van Domselaar; Fox, Codina, Williamson, McCabe; Little, Walti; Mead, Maanum, Foord; Russo

We say: Manchester United Women 2-1 Arsenal Women

Man United will be in a confident mood following their encouraging start to the campaign, and after winning both of their home league games this season, we think that the Red Devils will produce another strong home performance to edge out Arsenal and maintain their 100% record in the top flight.

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