West Ham United Women will have the chance to record a second straight victory when they play host to title-chasing Arsenal Women in Sunday's Women's Super League contest.
The Gunners, meanwhile, will be hoping to continue their impressive run of form after winning each of their last four competitive matches.
Match preview
© Reuters
After enduring a nine-game winless league run, West Ham were level on five points with basement side Bristol City ahead of last Sunday's clash between the two relegation rivals.
As it proved, the Hammers enjoyed a successful outing, edging out the Robins via a 2-1 scoreline thanks to goals from Honoka Hayashi and Viviane Asseyi.
Buoyed from their second league win of the season, West Ham will now turn their attention to Sunday's tricky fixture, where they will have the chance to claim consecutive WSL victories for the first time since October 2022.
While they will be dreaming of collecting all three points, they would certainly be content if they can hold the Gunners to a draw, especially as they have lost each of their last four home league games.
In fact, West Ham have failed to win any of their previous 12 WSL home matches (D4, L8) since beating Leicester City in November 2022.
© Reuters
Arsenal will carry significant momentum into Sunday's encounter after putting together a four-game winning run across all competitions.
The most recent of those victories took place last weekend when the Gunners secured a 2-0 away win over Liverpool following second-half efforts from Vivianne Miedema and Caitlin Foord.
Having won nine, drawn one and lost two of their 12 league matches, Arsenal head into the weekend in third place with three points separating them from leaders Chelsea.
They will want to keep the pressure on their title rivals by claiming a victory on Sunday, and they may fancy their chances of collecting maximum points after winning 11 of their 12 WSL games against West Ham.
However, Jonas Eidevall's side will be wary of the fact that they were held to a goalless draw in last season's away clash with the Hammers.
- L
- D
- L
- L
- L
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
West Ham boss Rehanne Skinner has revealed that Abbey-Leigh Stringer is set to miss the rest of the season after picking up an ankle injury.
Following their narrow victory over Bristol City last weekend, Skinner could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup for Sunday's encounter.
Marika Bergman Lundin could feature among the substitutes after completing a move from Swedish side BK Hacken on the final day of the transfer window.
As for the visitors, they can no longer call upon defender Jen Beattie, who has completed a move to Bay Football Club in the United States.
Laura Wienroither, Lina Hurtig and Teyah Goldie will miss out through injury, but goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi is expected to be in the squad following her arrival on a free transfer.
Foord will be looking to score in a fourth consecutive game in all competitions when she lines up on the left flank against the Hammers.
West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:
Arnold; Shimizu, Tysiak, Zadorsky, Smith; Hayashi, Gorry, Ziu; Harries, Asseyi, Ueki
Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:
Zinsberger; Fox, Ilestedt, Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Pelova, Walti; Mead, Miedema, Foord; Russo
We say: West Ham United Women 1-3 Arsenal Women
Having won each of their last four competitive matches, Arsenal will carry significant momentum into Sunday's contest, and we think that they will continue their fine run of form by beating a West Ham side that have suffered four consecutive home defeats.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
