Arsenal will be hoping to close the gap on London City Lionesses, as the fight for Champions League qualification continues
To say London City Lionesses have become the new disruptive force in the Women's Super League would be an understatement.
Owner Michelle Kang's investment has birthed what could become a genuine title challenging side over the next few seasons.
As part of the old guard, Arsenal will be keen to make a statement here, but should be cautious not to underestimate the new team on the block.
With a win feeling crucial for both sides ambitions this season, we should be in for a hotly contested game.
Arsenal vs London City Lionesses: Recent form and key stats
London City Lionesses have already started shaking up the table. They currently sit in 3rd place, only behind the title holders Manchester City, and historically dominant Chelsea FC.
With new elite additions to their squad this year, including three time Ballon D'or winner Alexia Putellas, their intentions are clear. They want to challenge the status quo.
Understandably, a lot of focus will be on the Spanish international, La Reina, but with experienced players throughout their squad including their current goal contribution leaders, Danielle Van De Donk and Kadidiatou Diani, there are attacking threats throughout this London City side.
With 24 goals scored in just 9 league games so far this season, it will be a real challenge for the Gunners to keep them at bay.
However, defending has arguably been Arsenals strongest asset so far this season, with the joint second least goals conceded across the entirety of the league.
Their issues have predominantly come in front of goal. They seem to consistently create opportunities to score, but are struggling to put those chances away.
They will need star striker and England international, Alessia Russo, to be on her best form, and she's had a mixed season thus far.
After initially struggling and only scoring her first goal in the 5th game of the WSL season, she's since picked up four goals and an assist in her last three league games.
Adding a Champions League hattrick against Benfica during that run too, she seems to be regaining form at the perfect time.
In general, Arsenal have had a turbulent start to the year, currently six points adrift of their weekend opponents with their frustrated fanbase already calling for change.
They started the season with hopes to challenge for the title, but being in 6th place and already 12 points behind the leaders Manchester City, their lofty ambitions might have to shift.
But as the title holders travel to Chelsea on Saturday afternoon, someone has to drop some points.
So this Sunday's game presents a real opportunity for both sides to close that gap, but who will rise to the occasion?
Arsenal vs London City Lionesses: Head-to-head record and prediction
History heavily favours the hosts, however this doesn't account for the new look London City side.
They've previously met five times, three times in cup competitions and twice in the league last season. Arsenal boast victories on all five occasions.
Opta's supercomputer also favours the home team despite the difference in league table positions and recent form, giving them a 64% chance of taking all three points.
In contrast, they've given the away side a 17% chance of victory, and the remaining 19% goes to the points being shared.
However, with Arsenal playing a hard fought 1-1 draw away to the Spanish giants FC Barcelona on Thursday night, starting arguably their strongest squad, the short two day recovery window could prove a real differential as London City Lionesses will enter the weekends game with a full 7 days rest.
Arsenal vs London City Lionesses: Predicted line-ups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Misa; Hinds, Catley, Williamson, Fox; Stanway, Little; Foord, Smith, Baum; Russo
London City Lionesses (4-2-3-1): Earps; Corrales, Leon, Perez, Fernandez; Arques, Geyoro; Van De Donk, Putellas, Diani; Goodwin
Striver's Prediction: Arsenal 1-3 London City Lionesses
This game goes one of two ways. A surprising but convincing London City Lionesses win, similar to their 6-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur earlier this season, or a narrow Arsenal victory.
The former feels most likely on this occasion.
London City Lionesses were unlucky to lose to Manchester City 2-1 having dominated the game, and they will be determined to avoid similar misfortunes.
To Arsenal's credit, they have rebounded after a difficult start to the season, but there's a lack of conviction that this run of form will stay consistent.
A bold prediction, but with both sides desperate to come out on top, London City's attacking prowess has trumped that of Arsenal's so far this year.
One thing's for certain, this match is set up to be one of the most exciting games of the Women's Suuper League season so far.
