Arsenal Women vs Real Madrid Femenino: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Arsenal have a 2-0 deficit to make up when they host the return leg of their UWCL quarter-final against Real Madrid.

The Gunners entered last week's first leg in Madrid off the back of a five-game winning run in all competitions, but they struggled to cope with the wet conditions in the Spanish capital and an error-ridden performance saw them succumb to an unexpected defeat.

Linda Caicedo and Athenea Del Castillo were on the scoresheet for the hosts, who are aiming to reach the UWCL semi-finals for the very first time.

They'll be emboldened by their historic victory over Liga F's dominant force Barcelona at the weekend which kept the title race alive. Madrid claimed their first-ever win over Barca after 18 consecutive defeats thanks to a masterful counter-attacking performance which didn't require Alberto Toril's strongest XI.

Arsenal bounced back from their defeat last Tuesday by thumping Liverpool 4-0 in the Women's Super League on Saturday. Renee Slegers' side are second in the WSL but eight points behind runaway leaders Chelsea.

Here's 90min's preview of Wednesday's second leg in London.

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Arsenal team news

Victoria Pelova returned from a torn ACL at the weekend / Richard Pelham/GettyImages

The Gunners received a boost at the weekend as Victoria Pelova returned from a long-term knee injury and featured off the bench against Liverpool. Expect the midfielder to play a similar role for Slegers on Wednesday night.

While Pavlova is back, there are doubts over Kim Little's status after she picked up a knock on Saturday. Laia Codina is another doubt after she was absent at the weekend.

Arsenal are certainly without Lotte Wubben-Moy again. The defender missed the first leg and has been out for weeks through injury.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Real Madrid

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Madrid (4-2-3-1): Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Walti, Maanum; Kelly, Caldentey, Foord; Russo.

Real Madrid team news

Melanie Leupolz's season is over / Diego Souto/GettyImages

The visitors were dealt a significant blow in the first leg as midfielder Melanie Leupolz suffered a partial tear of the MCL in her right knee which has ended the German's season.

Leupolz joins Rocio Galvez and Teresa Abelleira on the long-term injury list.

Madrid were able to beat domestic rivals Barcelona at the weekend despite making a few changes from last Tuesday's starting XI. Sheila Garcia, Olga Carmona, Linda Caicedo and Caroline Weir are among the players expected to return to the visitors' starting lineup at the Emirates.

Madrid predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-3-3): Misa; Garcia, Lakrar, Mendez, Carmona; Angeldal, Toletti, Weir; Del Castillo, Caicedo, Redondo.

Arsenal vs Real Madrid score prediction

An Arsenal resurgence is expected on Wednesday with the Emirates pitch bound to be far slicker compared to what they were subject to in the Spanish capital last week.

The crisper surface will aid the hosts, no doubt, but Madrid enter this contest full of confidence. Not only were they impressively efficient in the first leg, but Toril's side then produced a heroic performance to beat Barcelona on Sunday. A similar blueprint should be followed on Wednesday, with the Gunners potentially struggling to contain their visitors on the breakaway.

The second leg has the makings of a chess match and the game state undoubtedly suits Madrid, who can soak up pressure and counter. Sustained Arsenal pressure may take its toll, but the Liga F outfit will do just enough to advance into the last four.