The Football Faithful
·16. November 2024
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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·16. November 2024
It’s an absolutely massive weekend in the Women’s Super League as Spurs hosts Arsenal in one of Saturday’s marquee fixtures.
With the Premier League on pause for the international break, the WSL have set up some mouthwatering ties, with Chelsea entertaining Manchester City later today, while Liverpool make the short trip to Everton on Sunday.
The North London Derby is sure to serve up an intriguing encounter, even if the rivalry has been a one-sided affair over the years. Tottenham have only ever beaten the Gunners once in 13 meetings, losing nine and drawing the other three. That one victory did come just 11 months ago, though.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of kickoff.
Spurs: LLLWL
It’s been a rough start to the campaign for Robert Vilahamn’s side, who have won just two of their opening seven matches, leaving them seventh in the table on seven points. That’s a lot of sevens.
Spurs did beat London rivals West Ham a fortnight ago, but they have been more accustomed to heavy beatings of late. Last week Man City brushed them aside to win 4-0, while last month Chelsea beat them 5-2 and Man United won 3-0. They also came out the wrong side of a five-goal thriller against Liverpool, losing 3-2 at home.
Arsenal: WWDWW
Arsenal endured an underwhelming opening few weeks to the new season, which saw them win just one of their opening four WSL matches and ultimately cost Jonas Eidevall his job as head coach.
The team’s form has stabilised under interim boss Renee Slegers, who is unbeaten in five games in all competitions. They sit fourth in the standings on 12 points.
The Gunners come into the derby off the back of convincing wins over Juventus (4-0) away in the Champions League and Brighton (5-0) at home.
Arsenal 1-0 Spurs, 3rd March 2024, WSL
Alessia Russo scored the only goal of the game at a sellout Emirates Stadium earlier this year. The England forward smashed the ball home from close range after Beth Mead and Kim Little combined to create the opportunity.
Spurs are likely to be without Maite Oroz as she recovers from a quad injury, while Kit Graham is out for the season with an ACL injury. Amanda Nildén, though, will be back in contention to play.
Mariona Caldentey could start for Arsenal after recovering from an injury she sustained on international duty with Spain. Daphne van Domselaar was handed the gloves ahead of Manuela Zinsberger for the win over Juventus and may well find herself in the starting lineup again.
Spurs XI (4-4-2): Spencer; Morris, Buhler, Hunt, Neville; Bartrip, Summanen, Vinberg, England; Naz, Spence.
Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Walti, Little; Foord, Maanum, Caldentey; Russo.
Emily Heaslip will officiate Saturday’s North London Derby. She will be assisted by Sian Massey-Ellis and Emily Carney, with Ryan Atkin as the fourth official.
UK-based viewers can watch the match on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport website. Coverage begins at 1.15pm GMT. International viewers can find their local broadcaster here.
Spurs and Arsenal will kick off at 1.45pm UK time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, 16 November.
Spurs: 11/1
Draw: 5/1
Arsenal: 2/7
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