Man Cityvs.Leicester

The hosts are sitting in second place in the Women's Super League table, while the visitors will head into matchday nine in 10th position.

Match preview

Man City made an unbeaten start to the 2024-25 season, recording 11 wins and one draw in 12 matches in all competitions.

However, their undefeated streak was brought to an end by a 2-0 defeat in last month's away clash against title rivals Chelsea.

Mayra Ramirez and Guro Reiten scored in the second half to condemn Man City to their first WSL defeat of the season.

Gareth Taylor's side quickly picked themselves up to claim a 2-1 victory over Hammarby in their final outing before the international break, sealing their passage to the Women's Champions League quarter-finals with two games to play.

Man City will return from the international period with hopes of closing the five-point gap to WSL leaders Chelsea as they look to win their first league title since 2016.

Sunday's hosts will fancy their chances of claiming all three points after winning each of their seven competitive home games this season, keeping clean sheets in six of those matches.

After taking just five points from eight matches, Leicester are battling to preserve their top-flight status, with goal difference keeping them above West Ham United and Crystal Palace.

The Foxes failed to take anything from their three league games in November, losing 1-0 in away games against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham, before they fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Manchester United.

Leicester may boast the fifth-best defensive record in the WSL, but their problems lie at the other end of the pitch, with two goals in eight games making them the lowest scorers in the top flight.

The Foxes failed to trouble the scorers in their final outing before the international break, playing out a goalless draw in their Women's League Cup meeting with Brighton, before winning the subsequent penalty shootout to collect a bonus point.

They will now turn their focus to Sunday's league difficult league fixture, with hopes of finding the net for the first time since Yuka Momiki scored in a 1-0 win over Everton on October 20.

Manchester City Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

W

W

W

L

Manchester City Women form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

L

W

Leicester City Women Women's Super League form:

L

D

W

L

L

L

Leicester City Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Man City remain without goalkeeper Sandy MacIver and defender Risa Shimizu, with the pair working on their rehabilitation from anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Lauren Hemp is unavailable for selection after undergoing knee surgery last month, while it remains to be seen whether Viviane Miedema will be ready to return from her own knee issue.

WSL top scorer Bunny Shaw will be looking to add to her seven-goal league tally when she leads the line at the Joie Stadium.

Meanwhile, the visitors are unable to call upon Jutta Rantala, Lena Petermann and Noemi Mouchon due to knee injuries.

Leicester boss Amandine Miquel is also expected to be without the services of Samantha Tierney and Shannon O'Brien.

Hannah Cain is set to be among the starters after scoring in Wales's qualifying playoff win over the Republic of Ireland to help her country reach next summer's European Championship.

Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:

Yamashita; Casparij, Kennedy, Greenwood, Ouahabi; Roord, Hasegawa, Park; Fowler, Fujino, Shaw

Leicester City Women possible starting lineup:

Leitzig; Bott, Howard, Kees, Nevin; Momiki, Mace; Cain, Chossenotte, Takarada; Cayman

We say: Manchester City Women X-Y Leicester City Women

Written by

Ben Sully

Previews by email