by Sylvain Jamet

The FA WSL matchday eight will see the Arsenal Ladies travel to a well known opponent, Birmingham City Ladies, in a televised game to be played on Sunday the 19th of July at 6pm on BT Sport.

On the back of their surprising home defeat to Liverpool, Arsenal Ladies will need to get the three points against a struggling Birmingham side that has only scored once in seven games. Chelsea Ladies currently have a five-point-lead and the battle for the second champions league place is tight with five teams involved in it. With the game being played Sunday at 6pm, both sides will already know the results of the three other games played on Saturday.

Oppo preview

Birmingham City Ladies are having a nightmare season with three draws and four defeats. They cannot seem to buy a goal at the moment and have had their main forwards unfit for most of the first half campaign. Karen Carney is not really match fit as during the World Cup but can create a lot in the short time she is on the pitch.

Blues are in a two horses races with Bristol Academy to avoid relegation and it might go to the wire as both sides are still looking for their first win in the competition.

Who would you have

Melissa Lawley and Kirsty Linnett can play on the right wing where Arsenal still does not have a specialist right winger for two seasons now.

Kerys Harrop is a left footed center back and it is always interesting for the team’s balance to have a left footed player there.

Oppo key players

Karen Carney: the England playmaker is a creative player than can unlock defense like no one else in England

Jade Moore & Jo Potter: their central midfield partnership is key for Blues. They dictate play and are the midfield hub

Rebecca Spencer: with the forwards firing blanks she has to be efficient to keep clean sheets and save points for her team

Predicted line-ups

Birmingham: Spencer, Sargeant Mannion Harrop Carter, Moore Potter Allen, Carney Linnett Lawley

Arsenal: Byrne, Scott Stoney Rose Janssen or Corredera, Bailey Losada Williamson, Carter Natalia Ubogagu or Corredera

Playing both sides

Karen Carney, Jo Potter, Melissa Lawley, Kirsty Linnett, Rebecca Spencer, Freda Ayisi, Alex Scott, Rachel Yankey, Meaghan Sargent, Sian Rogers, Taome Olliver (center of excellent level)

Coaches Marcus Bignot who was assistant under Tony Gervaise and also married to Arsenal goalkeeper Emma Byrne.

Last 5

31/08/14 Birmingham 1 Arsenal 2 FA WSL

21/05/14/ Arsenal 0 Birmingham 2 FA WSL

04/05/14 Birmingham 1 Arsenal 2 FA Cup

30/03/14 Arsenal 0 Birmingham 2 UEFA WCL

24/03/14 Birmingham 1 Arsenal 0 UEFA WCL