On Sunday, second-placed Arsenal Women will look to keep pace with Women's Super League leaders Chelsea when they travel to Merseyside to face Everton Ladies.
The hosts, meanwhile, have endured an underwhelming campaign and after failing to win any of their last four league matches, they sit in a lowly 10th position.
Match preview
© Reuters
Everton were tipped by many pundits at the start of the season as having the potential to be a surprise package, but the Toffees have failed to live up to those expectations.
A poor campaign has resulted in the sacking of two managers, with Willie Kirk let go in October before Jean-Luc Vasseur was relieved of his duties in February.
Chris Roberts is now in interim charge, but his appointment has not resulted in a change in fortunes as Everton continue to struggle for victories.
With the Women's Super League returning from a three-week break this weekend, Roberts will be challenging his side to end the season on a positive note, but that may be easier said than done as the Toffees have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions.
Everton know that a defence that has failed to keep a home clean sheet in the league this season will come under intense scrutiny from title-chasing Arsenal.
© Reuters
Arsenal will be looking for a positive response after they lost 2-0 to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend, ending their dreams of claiming a domestic double.
The Gunners now have work to do if they are to finish the season with silverware as they enter the final four league matches one point adrift of Chelsea, who currently sit in pole position at the summit of the WSL.
In their final four matches, Jonas Eidevall's side will face Everton, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, with the Arsenal boss fully aware that if they are to stand any chance of lifting the league title then they will most likely have to win all four of those games.
The second-placed side have already demonstrated that they have the ability to collect the required victories, as they enter Sunday's contest off the back of a run of four consecutive league victories.
They can also take inspiration from the 3-0 victory that they picked up against Everton in the reverse fixture, with goals from Katie McCabe, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Frida Maanum guiding the Gunners to all three points on that occasion.
- W
- W
- L
- L
- L
- D
- W
- L
- L
- L
- L
- D
- D
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- L
- W
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Everton could be without Claire Emslie due to a minor injury issue, which may result in Hanna Bennison being presented with a starting place.
The Toffees are, however, boosted by the return of Anna Anvegard and Simone Magill, who are both likely to come into the starting lineup after recovering from their respective injury problems.
Roberts could opt for a back four, and if he does then Nathalie Bjorn and Megan Finnigan may get the nod to feature as the two centre-backs.
The Gunners, meanwhile, could be without Rafaelle for a seventh consecutive game, with the defender struggling due to an injury issue.
It was announced this week that Wubben-Moy has signed a new contract with Arsenal, and the defender will be involved on Sunday when she partners Leah Williamson in the centre of defence.
Noelle Maritz could come into the side after missing out on a starting place against Chelsea, which could allow McCabe to take up a more advanced position.
Everton Ladies possible starting lineup:
Maciver; Maier, Bjorn, Finnigan, Turner; Christiansen, Galli; Anvegard, Dali, Bennison; Magill
Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:
Zinsberger; Maritz, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Catley; Little, Miedema, Walti; Mead, McCabe, Blackstenius
We say: Everton Ladies 1-3 Arsenal Women
With Everton struggling to find any sort of form, we think that the Gunners will take advantage on Sunday to claim a fifth consecutive victory, which would keep their title hopes alive.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Arsenal Women win with a probability of 78.32%. A draw had a probability of 14% and a win for Everton Ladies had a probability of 7.72%.
The most likely scoreline for an Arsenal Women win was 0-2 with a probability of 12.23%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-3 (10.73%) and 0-1 (9.29%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (6.61%), while for a Everton Ladies win it was 1-0 (2.51%). The actual scoreline of 0-3 was predicted with a 10.7% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole and our data analysis both correctly predicted that Arsenal Women would win this match.
