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

The visitors, meanwhile, are still searching for their first points of the season after losing their opening two Women's Super League games.

Match preview

After beginning the season with a 1-0 defeat to West Ham United, the Toffees made the short trip to Anfield with the objective of claiming the bragging rights over their local rivals.

Facing a Liverpool side that previously beat WSL champions Chelsea 2-1 on the opening weekend, Everton may have been cautious about their chances of victory.

Any concerns quickly dissipated when Megan Finnigan gave the Toffees the lead within nine minutes, while Jess Park demonstrated quality and composure to double her side's advantage before half time.

An 87th-minute strike from Hanna Bennison added further gloss to the scoreline as Everton thrashed their rivals 3-0 to clinch their first win of the season.

Having beaten Leicester in both of their previous two WSL meetings, Everton will be confident of claiming a second straight victory on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Leicester are one of three WSL teams still without a point this season after losing their opening two matches.

After losing 2-1 to Spurs on the opening weekend of the season, hopes of claiming a positive result in Sunday's meeting with Aston Villa were dealt a blow when Rachel Daly scored from the spot in the third minute.

Despite keeping the deficit at one for the majority of the contest, the Foxes were unable to find the elusive equaliser before Emily Gielnik wrapped up a 2-0 victory for Villa with an 86th-minute effort.

Leicester may have narrowly avoided the drop by two points last season, but consecutive defeats suggest another relegation fight could be in store this term.

If they are to move away from danger then the Foxes need to quickly end a nine-game winless run in the WSL, which includes eight defeats.

Everton Ladies Women's Super League form:

L

W

Leicester Women Women's Super League form:

L

L

Team News

Toni Duggan will miss the remainder of the season after the Everton forward announced that she is pregnant.

The hosts are also without the services of Clare Wheeler, who is sidelined with a knee problem, while Aggie Beever-Jones is a doubt after missing the Merseyside derby due to a knock.

Despite coming off the bench to score against Liverpool, Bennison may have to settle for a place amongst the substitutes, with Brian Sorensen set to name an unchanged lineup.

As for the visitors, injury issues are expected to prevent Demi Lambourne and Abbie McManus from featuring in Thursday's contest.

Lydia Bedford is also unable to call upon Hannah Cain, Jess Sigsworth and Lachante Paul, who are all long-term injury absentees.

Natasha Flint dropped down to the bench for the defeat to Aston Villa, but she could return to the side to feature in the forward line.

Everton Ladies possible starting lineup:

Brosnan; Finnigan, Sevecke, Veje; Graham, Bjorn, Galli, George; Snoeijs, Christiansen, Park

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:

Levell; Howard, Tierney, Plumptre; Simon, Whelan, Green, Pike, Purfield; Flint, Jones

We say: Everton Ladies 2-0 Leicester Women

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