Everton Women vs West Ham United: WSL Match Preview

West Ham United boss Rehanne Skinner believes her side are ready for the challenge of Everton Women, but insists she will be focusing on her team ahead of Sunday’s clash at Chigwell Construction Stadium.

The Blues head to London following a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at Walton Hall Park and know that their hosts are just two points and one place below them in the WSL.

Brian Sorensen was able to add five new faces to his squad and has also reported that Elise Stenevik is back on the pitch while Karen Holmgaard is ‘progressing really well.’

Whether either of those two make the squad remains to be seen, a fresh injection of talent certainly eases the pressure on the team, while giving Skinner more to ponder ahead of the clash,

But the Hammers chief remains focused on things that she can control.

“Obviously with the personnel they’ve brought in, there’s opportunities for formational changes and things like that,” she said.

“I think we’ve just got to take it as it comes really, and you can only prepare so much when there’s only been one game in a slightly different set-up.

Photo by Aston Villa/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images

“We’re ready for what they’re capable of, we know what their new players are like.

“I think from our side, we also have to focus on ourselves, and the things that we’ve done well, because that’s the only thing that we can really control to the best of our ability.”

The Opposition

West Ham will be riding high after securing a place in the last four of the Women’s League Cup with victory over Tottenham Hotspur, but know that it is the WSL where victories are needed.

With just two league wins all season, Skinner knows that Sunday’s fixture is just as important to both sides looking to climb the table.

While not as busy in the transfer marker as their visitors, the Hammers have been strengthened with the acquisition of Verena Hanshaw from AS Roma, as well as Finland international defender Eva Nyström, who has completed a move from Swedish Damallsvenskan side Hammarby IF.

Photo by AS Roma/AS Roma via Getty Images

Previous Meetings

It was back in October when a deflected Mel Lawley cross became not only Everton’s first goal of the season, but enough to ensure a share of the spoils at Walton Hall Park.

Fixtures between the two sides are usually cagey affairs, although last season was very much dominated by Everton, who secured a league double and a total shutout with a Karen Holmgaard strike downing the Hammers in the capital in December.

It was a an Italian double the following February when late goals from Martina Piemonte and an Aurora Galli stunner ensured that Skinner’s side would be heading South with no points.

And although both sides have strengthened, Everton and West Ham have two of the poorest defences in the WSL, so expect goals in this one as both teams may see their best chance of victory as outscoring the other.

Everton Women take on West Ham United on Sunday, 26 January at Chigwell Construction Stadium, with a Kick-off time 3pm.