Tottenham Hotspur Women vs Arsenal Women preview, predictions & possible XIs
After a brief hiatus due to Continental Cup action and the international break, the FA Women’s Super League returns this weekend with a big North London Derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
Defending champions Arsenal are currently second in the table after their 1-0 win over Manchester City at the end of October and have looked just as impressive as they did last season.
Their north London rivals Tottenham are enjoying a first-ever WSL season, sitting in sixth after five games, proving they can be regulars in England’s top flight after some initial doubts.
Although the pair faced off in a pre-season friendly, this is the first time Tottenham and Arsenal have met in the top flight of women’s football.
Read on for Tottenham Women vs Arsenal Women preview, predictions team news, TV info and more.
When is Tottenham Women vs Arsenal Women and where can I watch live?
Competition: FA Women’s Super League
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Date: Sunday, 17 November 2019
Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): BT Sport 1
Recent form
Tottenham Women
03 November 2019: Crystal Palace 0-3 Tottenham (Continental League Cup)
27 October 2019: Bristol City 1-2 Tottenham (Women’s Super League)
20 October 2019: West Ham 2-2 Tottenham (Continental League Cup)
13 October 2019: Tottenham 0-3 Manchester United (Women’s Super League)
29 September 2019: West Ham 0-2 Tottenham (Women’s Super League)
Arsenal Women
03 November 2019: Brighton 0-0 Arsenal (Continental League Cup)
31 October 2019: Arsenal 8-0 Slavia Prague (Women’s Champions League)
27 October 2019: Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City (Women’s Super League)
20 October 2019: Arsenal 4-0 Charlton (Continental League Cup)
16 October 2019: Slavia Prague 2-5 Arsenal (Women’s Champions League)
Ones to watch
Tottenham Women: Kit Graham
Tottenham haven’t been great in attack this season, scoring five goals in their five WSL games so far and this is something they need to sort out if they are to get anything from Sunday’s North London Derby.
As a result, the performance of Kit Graham will be key. The 24-year-old forward has started every league game for Tottenham so far this season, scoring twice. No other Tottenham player has more than one while there are only three players above her in the WSL scoring chart.
Key stat: Kit Graham has scored 40% of Tottenham’s goals in the WSL this season.
Arsenal Women: Vivianne Miedema
When you hear Vivianne Miedema, you immediately think goals, with the 23-year-old already her country’s all-time top goalscorer having also finished with last season’s WSL Golden Boot.
But while the Dutch striker has a wonderful eye for goal, she is also a selfless team player. Having recorded 11 assists last season, Miedema has added another three so far in the 2019/20 campaign.
Miedema’s game allows the likes of Danielle van de Donk more opportunities to devastate in attack, though the 23-year-old has still had time to score twice herself.
Key stat: No player has been directly involved in more WSL goals than Vivianne Miedema (5) this season.
Team news
Tottenham Women
Tottenham made eight changes for their Continental Cup game before the international break, but joint-head coaches Karen Hills and Juan Amoros could name a team similar to the one that started against Bristol City in their last WSL game – with Graham and Lucy Quinn joining Rianna Dean in the attack.
The north London side do remain without Gemma Davison, however, with the forward injuring her ankle at the start of October.
Predicted XI: Spencer; Percival, Silbey, Godfrey, Worm; Peplow, Green, Furness; Graham, Dean, Quinn.
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Arsenal Women
Like Tottenham, Arsenal made numerous changes for their penalty shootout defeat to Brighton in the Continental Cup due to their commitments across three competitions. But we should see the Gunners returning to full strength for the North London Derby, with Miedema leading the line.
There should also be a start for Leah Williamson in defence, with the 22-year-old fresh from scoring in England’s 3-2 win over Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Predicted XI: Zinsberger; Evans, Williamson, Beattie, McCabe; Little, Walti; Van de Donk, Nobbs, Mead; Miedema.
Squawka prediction
Although Tottenham can be proud of their start to life in the WSL, they will be in for a tough afternoon on Sunday.
Arsenal will see the North London Derby as a chance to remind everyone just how dominant they can be in England and may be hoping to return to the top of the table should other results go their way.
Expect Miedema, Van de Donk and co. to eventually run out winners after being given a tough opening at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Scoreline prediction: Tottenham Women 0-2 Arsenal Women
