Preview: Leicester Women vs. Chelsea Women - prediction, team news, lineups

The Foxes, meanwhile, will be hoping to spring a surprise and claim a third consecutive victory in all competitions.

Match preview

Leicester showcased their firepower in their final two games before the international break, claiming a commanding 6-2 victory over Birmingham City in the FA Cup, before easing to a 5-2 win against Bristol City.

Yuka Momiki, Saori Takarada, Janice Cayman, Jutta Rantala and Denny Draper all got on the scoresheet to beat basement side Bristol City and move 10 points clear of the sole relegation spot.

The Foxes may be set to extend their top-flight stay into a fourth straight season, but they will still be looking to maximise their potential in the final eight fixtures, with just three points separating them from the top half of the table.

Although Leicester may head into the weekend in a positive mood, they will have their work cut out to take anything off the reigning champions, having lost all five of their WSL meetings with Chelsea.

Leicester's first aim will be to produce a strong defensive performance after conceding 28 goals across the last four head-to-head meetings in the top flight.

The Blues went into the international period off the back of a narrow 1-0 loss to title rivals Man City at Kingsmeadow.

Bunny Shaw's 14th-minute effort proved enough to condemn Chelsea to their first home league defeat since February 2021, bringing an end to their 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

That result saw Man City move level on 34 points with the Blues, who still sit top of the table due to the fact they have scored more goals than their title rivals.

The league's highest scorers have racked up 41 goals this season, while they also boast the second-best defensive record after letting in just 13 goals across the WSL campaign.

Chelsea have also proven to be a tough team to break down in their recent away matches, having kept three clean sheets across their last four competitive away victories.

Leicester Women Women's Super League form:

D

D

L

W

L

W

Leicester Women form (all competitions):

Chelsea Women Women's Super League form:

L

W

W

W

W

L

Chelsea Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Leicester boss Willie Kirk will be unable to call upon German goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, who is set to be out for an extended period of time with a shoulder problem.

Shannon O'Brien and Missy Goodwin are also set to miss out after they both picked up injuries while on international duty with the England Under-23 side.

Meanwhile, Canada forward Deanne Rose is currently away with her country preparing for the knockout stages of the Gold Cup.

As for the reigning champions, USA forward Mia Fishel will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury while on international duty.

Millie Bright, Sam Kerr and Aniek Nouwen will also be absent due to injury, while Maren Mjelde and Fran Kirby are both doubts.

Lauren James will serve a one-match suspension after she picked up her fifth yellow card of the WSL season before the international break.

Chelsea are also without the services of Kadiesha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence, who are both with the Canada squad at the Gold Cup in the USA.

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:

Kop; Bott, Green, Thibaud, Howard, Nevin; Rantala, Takarada, Tierney, Cayman; Momiki

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:

Hampton; Perisset, Carter, Bjorn, Charles; Leupolz, Cuthbert; Kaneryd, Nusken, Reiten; Ramirez

We say: Leicester Women 0-3 Chelsea Women

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