Here is our preview for the decisive top of the table clash on FA WSL matchday 2 against Manchester City.

Opposition

Manchester City Women are title contenders and missed out last season because they had a poor pre-World Cup first half of the season. They will want to make sure they don’t repeat the same mistakes in 2016.

The only question mark about them is their lack of depth in the squad as they only have 15 quality senior outfield players and two goalkeepers.

They currently have four injuries and one lady on international duty in Serbia. It means their starting 11 picks itself up and they are likely to have youngsters on the bench, alongside back-up goalkeeper Marie Hourihan.

Match preview

This is a top of the table clash that comes a bit too early in the season as two of the title contenders going head to head on matchday two shows the usual lack of planning from the FA.

Arsenal should really try to take advantage of City’s current injury situation as the Citizens made no subs against Notts County on Wednesday and had three development team players on the bench.

Pedro Losa has the luxury of choice and can rotate at will in every position, so will have kept a few players fresh for this big game.  A point is a minimum to get from the trip and three points would keep the positive momentum going.

Opposition key players

Karen Bardsley

A clear weakness in the City team in the mould of calamity David James. Arsenal need to put her under pressure and she will makes mistakes on high balls and kicking. A great shot stopper nonetheless.

Lucy Bronze

The modern complete right-back.

Jill Scott

The box-to-box player who can do everything. Powerful, intelligent technically efficient.

Nikita Parris

A typical centre forward with power, pace but unstable at times which can help the opposition.

Who you would have?

Lucy Bronze is a world class right back and would fit well in the Arsenal team with her pace down the wing.

Predicted line-ups

Man City: Bardsley, Bronze, Houghton, McManus, Stokes, Corboz, Scott, Aslanni, Duggan, Ross, Parris

Arsenal: Van Veenendaal, Scott, Stoney, Rose, Mitchell, Janssen, Williams, Nobbs, Carter, Oghoala, Van De Donk

Playing both sides

Stephanie Houghton and Jennifer Beattie both played for the Arsenal and were very successful before leaving during the Shelley Kerr era.