Arsenal Women v Manchester City Women: Prediction, Tips and Odds

A blockbuster meeting on Sunday in the Women's Super League sees Manchester City, who finished second last season, visit an Arsenal side still reeling from midweek disappointment.

The Gunners need to pick themselves up after a UEFA Champions League loss to BK Hacken in midweek and welcome back former striker Vivianne Miedema, who joined City over the summer.

Arsenal Women v Manchester City Women betting tips and predictions

Manchester City Women to win - 8/5

With Chelsea beginning their quest for a sixth straight Women’s Super League title with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Friday, both Arsenal and Manchester City will be anxious to get their campaign off to a winning start when they meet at the Emirates on Sunday.

Emma Hayes’ departure from the Blues may have opened the door for one of the other WSL big guns to forge a title challenge and City were unfortunate not to have ended the Londoners’ monopoly last season when they were pipped on goal difference.

These two look the most likely teams to be battling it out for trophies this season, but it could be that Gareth Taylor’s visitors are the side who take the points from this one.

City possessed the tightest defence in the league last season, conceding just 15 goals in their 22 matches, but they have greatly reinforced their striking options with the free-transfer acquisition of Vivianne Miedema, the former Gunners star who is the highest goalscorer in WSL history.

The Dutch forward could just be the missing part of the jigsaw and she opened her City account with a goal in their 5-0 win over Paris in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, a result that was gained without the prolific Jamaica forward Khadija Shaw, who missed the trip due to a visa issue.

The Gunners defence will be strengthened by the potential inclusion of Lionesses skipper Leah Williamson, but Jonas Eidevall’s side could have their hands full and need to pick themselves up from a European defeat against BK Hacken on Wednesday.

Over 2.5 goals - 9/10

A victory in this game would be a shot in the arm for either team even at this early stage of the season and that should ensure both teams go on the front foot.

City have won their last eight WSL away games - the last one they didn’t was a 2-1 loss at Arsenal last season - so they will be confident and it would be a surprise if the Gunners sat back too, having beaten Taylor’s side 2-1 in both of their meetings last season.

There have been at least three goals on eight of the last nine occasions these teams have locked horns and it would not be a surprise if this opening encounter followed that particular pattern.

Khadija Shaw to score at any time - 5/4

All eyes will be on Miedema as she makes a swift return to the Emirates after a glittering spell for the Gunners, but Shaw probably remains the bigger goal threat and can be a thorn in Arsenal’s side.

The Jamaican will be looking to make up for lost time having missed out on City’s impressive midweek UEFA Champions League success and she finished last season in phenomenal fashion, scoring 15 goals in her final ten league appearances.

She is a handful for any defence in women’s football and it would not be a shock if she hit the ground running on Sunday.

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Arsenal Women v Manchester City Women odds

Arsenal Women - 8/5
Draw - 23/10
Manchester City Women - 8/5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.