Manchester City will be hoping to continue to haul themselves back into the Barclays FA Women’s Super League title race when they take on Arsenal at The Academy Stadium on Sunday.
A stuttering start to the season has left Gareth Taylor’s side with work to do if they are to reach the league summit but they can move to within a point of Arsenal, a side who were the early-season pacesetters, if they beat The Gunners tomorrow.
Manchester City go into the match on the back of a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Goteborg on Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League round of 32 tie. Full-back Demi Stokes and forward Lauren Hemp were absent from the squad which faced the Swedish champions in midweek but both players are thought to be in contention to face Arsenal.
City head coach Taylor is expected to again be without long-term absentee Aoife Mannion along with defender Megan Campbell and midfielder Rose Lavelle who are carrying knocks.
Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro could opt to hand starts to Jordan Nobbs and Lisa Evans against City with the pair having come off the bench against Birmingham City last weekend, making their comebacks following recent injuries. Defender Steph Catley is also building up her fitness and is expected to travel.
The North Londoners will be without Swiss international Noelle Maritz who is sidelined until after the New Year while Austrian midfielder Viktoria Schnaderbeck is thought to be doubtful. Swiss captain Lia Walti missed last weekend’s fixture against Birmingham City with concussion and it is not currently known whether the player will be fit to face City.
Manchester City’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture against Arsenal is scheduled to kick-off at 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon and will be screened live on BT Sport 1.