Manchester City host Arsenal in the pick of the WSL fixtures this weekend.
Arsenal blew City away in the reverse fixture earlier this season when they won 5-0 at Meadow Park, but the league leaders are no longer in that kind of form. City, meanwhile, are much improved with a squad that had been obliterated by injuries now coming back together.
It was contrasting fortunes for these two in midweek, with City progressing to the Continental Cup quarter-finals after beating Bristol City and Arsenal getting knocked out of the competition by Manchester United.
This is everything you need to know about Sunday’s game…
When is kick off? Sunday 23 January, 18:45 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Academy Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Football (UK), FA Player (international)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube, BBC Sport website, FA Player
Referee? Abigail Byrne
City are still without goalkeepers Ellie Roebuck and Karen Bardsley through injury, although both England internationals are getting closer to returns. Third choice stopper Karima Taieb also remains a doubt, however, so 17-year-old Khiara Keating could continue to deputise.
City have been boosted by players returning from injury so far this month. Caroline Weir and Khadija Shaw were the latest to get minutes under their belts in midweek, while Steph Houghton and Lucy Bronze were already back in action.
Australian internationals Alanna Kennedy and Hayely Raso are at the Asian Cup in India.
Arsenal were able to welcome Leah Williamson back from two-month layoff in midweek as she appeared from the bench against Manchester United. Tobin Heath also made her long awaited return, although whether either starts straightaway here remains to be seen.
Stina Blackstenius is set to make her WSL debut after coming off the bench on Wednesday, while Lia Walti and Lotte Wubben-Moy are in contention after being sidelined recently. New signing Rafaelle Souza could also be included in the squad but is lacking match fitness.
Vivianne Miedema hasn’t been herself of late and was surprisingly taken off with more than 20 minutes to play against Manchester United and with Arsenal needing a goal.
Australian trio Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Lydia Williams are at the Asian Cup.
Man City: Keating; Bronze, Houghton, Greenwood, Stokes; Stanway, Walsh, Weir; Beckie, White, Hemp
Arsenal: Zinsberger; Maritz, Williamson, Beattie, McCabe; Nobbs, Little, Maanum; Mead, Miedema, Blackstenius
This will not be the same game that took place in September when City were on the ropes and Arsenal were in rampant form. If anything, it is roles reversed.
City may still have to rely on a 17-year-old in goal, but the rest of the team looks strong and they have won four WSL games on the spin without conceding, scoring 17 goals in the process.
Arsenal have lost their early season momentum and are low on confidence thanks to the string of five recent defeats across the board in all competitions. An away trip to face a dangerous side in good form is not the fixture they need to arrest that current slump.
All signs point to a relatively comfortable City win, although Arsenal are always a goal threat.
Prediction: Man City 3-1 Arsenal
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