Arsenal will be looking to go back to the top of league with their home game against an improving Brighton Women’s team managed by the former England manager Hope Powell.
The Gunners are currently level on points with Everton and Manchester City but behind those two teams on goal difference. With the top two teams playing each other at the same time as Arsenal, a win could mean going top on Sunday afternoon.
This is the sixth game played by the team this month and, so far, it has been a very successful 5 out 5 wins with squad rotation has an important part of the process with only three players starting all five games (Mead, Roord and Williamson).
Overall, 17 players have started the games and 19 players have been used, with only the injured Carter, Kemme and Veje not used so far along with the two youngsters, Flores, and Stenson, who is on loan with Blackburn Rovers.
The last two games have allowed Joe Montemurro to give time to players like Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Emma Mitchell as well as enabling Jordan Nobbs and Lia Walti to carry on their return to the side without a heavy load of work. I don’t think the Swiss midfielder is ready to start a league game yet, but you would expect her to be involved at some point during the match.
In goal, Zinsberger should return following the two cup games played by Peyraud-Magnin although it is probably the first time this season where Montemurro really has a choice to make for the goalie spot.
In defence, Louise Quinn and Katrin Veje are still unavailable, the regular back four should start with Maier, Williamson, Beattie and McCabe unless Williamson is moved to the DM spot and, in that case, Schnaderbeck will carry on at centre-back.
In midfield, you would expect Little and Nobbs to start as both got a rest in one of the last two games. Rood has played all five games so far and could be the one to miss out if Williamson is moved to the number 6 position.
In attack, there are four players available for three places with Mead, Evans, Miedema and van de Donk. Considering Miedema and Mead are undroppable, unless they are tired, the right-wing place should go to the more creative player i.m.o. in van de Donk.
Expected 11: Zinsberger; Maier, Williamson, Beattie, McCabe; Little, Nobbs, Roord; Van De Donk, Miedema, Mead
Subs: Peyraud-Magnin, Schnaderbeck, Mitchell, Walti, Evans, Grant, Filis
Brighton recruited cleverly during the summer to improve a squad that managse to stay up last season relatively comfortably. They signed a World Cup runner-up, a top quality goalkeeper, and a French playmaker who is helping them becoming a more creative side.
They have certainly evolved from the very defensive unit they were last season and we have to remember that they took the lead last season at Borehamwood thanks to their powerful striker Umotong.
It will not be an easy game against a very solid and reliable defence that can also be a threat, not only on counter-attacks, but also in classic ball possession play.
It might end up as one of those tight games won by a single goal margin as seen in many results this season in the League.