Preview: Tottenham Hotspur Ladies vs. Arsenal Women - prediction, team news, lineups

For the second time in just a matter of days, Tottenham Hotspur Ladies will go up against their North London rivals Arsenal Women.

After the Gunners won a penalty shootout to claim a bonus point in the midweek League Cup fixture, Spurs will be looking for revenge when they meet in Saturday's Women's Super League fixture.

Match preview

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Tottenham are looking to claim their first league win since October 21 after taking just three points from their last five league games.

They played out three consecutive WSL draws, before they suffered a demoralising 7-0 loss to Manchester City and a heavy 4-0 defeat to Manchester United last weekend, leaving them in sixth position with 12 points to their name.

Spurs had the chance to respond in Wednesday's meeting with Arsenal in the League Cup group stage, as they took the lead on three different occasions thanks to Martha Thomas's opener and a Jessica Naz brace.

However, Tottenham were unable to keep their local rivals at bay, conceding three equalisers to draw 3-3 before losing 4-3 in the subsequent penalty shootout, ensuring that the Gunners took home the bonus point.

While Robert Vilahamn may have been encouraged by his side's performance, he will be concerned by the fact that his team have conceded 14 goals across their last three competitive games, highlighting a weakness that needs resolving if they are to claim their first-ever win over the Gunners.

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Arsenal head into the weekend level on points with leaders Chelsea after they claimed a statement 4-1 victory over the reigning WSL champions last weekend.

Although Beth Mead saw her eighth-minute opener cancelled out by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, an Amanda Ilestedt goal and an Alessia Russo brace guided the Gunners to a seventh consecutive league victory and condemned Chelsea to a heavy defeat.

After being involved in the League Cup in midweek, Arsenal will now focus on their final game of 2023, and they will have the chance to briefly take an outright lead at the top of the WSL table with Chelsea set to face newly-promoted Bristol City on Sunday.

With the Gunners set to face a leaky Tottenham defence for the second game running, they will be looking to showcase their firepower once again after scoring at least two goals in each of their previous 11 matches across all competitions.

Since being held to a draw by Spurs in November 11, Arsenal have won the last three head-to-head meetings in the WSL, which includes a commanding 5-1 victory in their most recent away clash in March earlier this year.

Team News

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Vilahamn has confirmed that Olga Ahtinen, Eveliina Summanen and Drew Spence remain sidelined due to their respective injury issues.

Having missed the last four games, Ellie Brazil is expected to be fit to take her place on the Tottenham bench for Saturday's derby clash.

After making a number of changes in midweek, Vilahamn could recall Becky Spencer, Amy Turner, Shelina Zadorsky, Ria Percival and Bethany England.

As for Tottenham's North London rival, Jonas Eidevall is still unable to call upon Leah Williamson, Laura Wienroither, Teyah Goldie and Lina Hurtig.

Kim Little was absent for the midweek cup match after picking up a knock against Chelsea, and the Scottish midfielder will have to be assessed ahead of the weekend's fixture.

Having scored three goals in her last two WSL games, Mead will look to continue her fine form since returning from a long injury layoff.

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies possible starting lineup:

Spencer; Neville, Turner, Bartrip, Zadorsky; Percival, James, Clinton; Naz, Thomas, England

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

Zinsberger; McCabe, Ilestedt, Wubben-Moy, Catley; Pelova, Walti; Mead, Maanum, Foord; Russo

We say: Tottenham Hotspur Ladies 1-3 Arsenal Women

Despite playing out a draw in regulation time in midweek, we think that Arsenal will showcase the quality at their disposal to beat their local rivals and claim an eighth consecutive league victory.

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