Arsenal Women vs Leicester: Preview, prediction & lineups

This fixture may seem like an inconvenience, coming in the middle of two huge European fixtures, but it is still vitally important that Arsenal pick up three precious WSL points. Last Sunday, the Gunners fought back from a goal down to beat Lyon 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Mariona Caldentey's free-kick went straight through Lyon goalkeeper Claudia Endler, before Olivia Smith pounced on a poor back pass by Lindsey Heaps to slot home the crucial second. With the return clash at Parc Olympique Lyonnais to come on Saturday, Renée Slegers' side do boast the slight advantage, albeit OL Lyonnes can never be written off.

Before traveling to France, Arsenal have some catching up to do in the WSL, given that they have three games in hand on those above them. The Gunners are currently fourth, but victory here will see them climb into a Champions League spot, above Manchester United, and just two points behind second-placed Chelsea. Well, Slegers' team have been in exceptional form in the WSL, unbeaten in 12, winning each of their last five, scoring 15 goals and conceding only two. Thus, those in attendance at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday will expect to witness a resounding home win.

On the flip side, Leicester City arrive in North London in horrendous form, rock-bottom of the table and surely bereft of any confidence. Rick Passmoor's team have lost each of their last eight matches, most-recently demolished 5-1 by London City Lionesses on Sunday, despite taking the lead at Hayes Lane. The Foxes have picked up just nine points all season, but may be not ultimately be relegated.

That's because, fom next season, the top-flight is expanded from 12 to 14 clubs. So, when Leicester do inevitably finish bottom, they will face a play-off against the third-place team from WSL2 away from home, traveling to one of Charlton, Birmingham or Crystal Palace on 23 May. The way they are playing though, Leicester's five-years stay in the top division could very much be coming to an end.

Thus, this is the ideal fixture to have in-between two clashes with Olympique Lyonnais Féminin for Arsenal. The Gunners have won all nine previous meetings with Leicester by an aggregate score of 33 goals to 4, with a very resounding home win forecast here.

Arsenal vs Leicester City: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

What time does Arsenal vs Leicester City kick off?

Arsenal vs Leicester City kicks off on Wednesday 29 April at 19:00 (BST).

• When is kick off? Wednesday 29 April 2026
• What time is kick off? 19:00 (BST)
• Where is it played? Emirates Stadium
• Referee: Lisa Benn

Arsenal & Leicester City last 5 WSL results

Arsenal vs Leicester City head-to-head record

• Arsenal Wins: 9. Draws: 0. Leicester City Wins: 0.

• Arsenal goals: 33. Leicester City goals: 4.

Arsenal vs Leicester City last five meetings

How to watch Arsenal vs Leicester City

Arsenal team news

Without taking anything for granted, Renée Slegers will surely heavily rotate here, knowing that her back-up players should swat Leicester aside, while saving her stars for Saturday's visit to Lyon. Fit again Leah Williamson, back in the side last weekend following a spell on the sidelines, is a prime candidate to be wrapped in proverbial bubble wrap.

Anneke Borbe could get the nod in goal, with Smilla Holmberg and Taylor Hinds at full-back. Steph Catley is injured and fellow Aussie Kyra Cooney-Cross is unavailable, but Beth Mead could return, after missing the weekend win due to personal reasons. Alessia Russo has 19 goals to her name this season, as well as netting during three of her four previous meetings with Leicester for the club.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Leicester City: Borbe; Holmberg, Codina, Wubben-Moy, Hinds; Maanum, Pelova Caldentey; Smith, Kelly, Russo.

Leicester City team news

Rick Passmoor remains without Celeste Boureille and Jutta Rantala, while Heather Payne returned from injury off the bench in South London on Sunday. Defender Chantelle Swaby came off with an injury against London City Lionesses, replaced by Alisha Lehmann during the game, but another defender is likely to be added to the lineup this time. Shannon O'Brien is the Foxes' leading scorer this season with only four goals.

Predicted Leicester City lineup vs Arsenal: Clark; Mayling, Thibaud, Kess, Payne, Neville; McLoughlin, Tierney, Jansson; Mouchon, O'Brien.

Arsenal vs Leicester City score prediction

We cannot see any other outcome than an emphatic Arsenal victory. The Gunners have scored four or more goals during six of their previous nine encounters with Leicester, including fighting back from 2-0 down to prevail 6-2 at the King Power in November 2023.

The Foxes have shipped three or more goals on eight occasions this season, including when the Gunners visited the East Midlands in the reverse fixture. Renée Slegers' side on the other hand have scored three or more goals 11 times this season, bagging five during both of their last two WSL fixtures against West Ham and Spurs, all trends that we're forecasting will continue at the Emirates.

Prediction: Arsenal 4-0 Leicester City

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