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

sportsmole.co.uk, 17 February 2024, 00:17
Bristol City Women will attempt to end their eight-game winless league run when they travel to the King Power Stadium for Sunday's meeting with Leicester Women.

The Foxes are sitting in seventh place in the Women's Super League table, while the visitors are propping up the table with six points to their name.

Match preview

Having won three, drawn four and lost six of their last 13 league matches, Leicester are currently seven points better off than Sunday's opponents, leaving them well-placed to extend their top-flight status into a fourth consecutive season.

While they boast a sizeable gap to the relegation spot, the Foxes will be frustrated with the fact they have won just one of their last 11 WSL games.

That victory took place against Everton at the end of January, before Willie Kirk's side began February with a 2-0 defeat in their away meeting with Manchester City.

The Foxes bounced back with a commanding 6-2 FA Cup victory over second-tier Birmingham City thanks to a Shannon O'Brien as well as goals as strikes from Janice Cayman, Saori Takarada, Deanne Rose and Aileen Whelan.

Leicester will try to draw inspiration from their FA Cup result, as they look to end a five-game winless home run in the WSL.

After being knocked out of the FA Cup by Liverpool last month, Bristol City have had a couple of weeks to reflect on their 2-2 draw against Aston Villa

The Robins came from behind on two occasions in their league clash with the Villans, with Amalie Thestrup and Carrie Jones finding the net for Lauren Smith's side.

Although they managed to salvage a point, Bristol City have their work cut out to retain their top-flight status, having won just one of their 13 league games this term (D3, L9).

With wins proving hard to come by, the Robins will need to bridge a five-point gap to safety in the remaining nine fixtures of the WSL season.

The visits have at least proven to be a tough team to beat on their travels, having avoided defeat in four of their last five away games (W1, D3).

Leicester Women Women's Super League form:

L

D

D

L

W

L

Leicester Women form (all competitions):

Bristol City Women Women's Super League form:

L

D

L

L

L

D

Bristol City Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Leicester will definitely be without the services of Hannah Cain and Lena Petermann, while Missy Goodwin is a doubt due to illness.

If Goodwin is unable to feature against the Robins, Kirk could present Rose with the chance to make her second start of the WSL season.

After dropping down to the bench last weekend, goalkeeper Lize Kop and defender Julie Thibaud are expected to return to the starting lineup.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon Fran Bentley, Satara Murray and Rachel Furness due to injury.

Smith has also confirmed that Abi Harrison is ruled out with an ankle problem, while illness will prevent Sarah Stratigakis from featuring against the Foxes.

Chelsea loanee Brooke Aspin could be brought into the side after featuring as a half-time substitute in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:

Kop; Cayman, Howard, Thibaud, Nevin; Tierney, Rantala, Takarada; Momiki, O'Brien, Rose

Bristol City Women possible starting lineup:

Yanez; Powell, Layzell, Aspin, Napier; Rodgers, Connolly; Morgan, Jones, Evans; Thestrup

We say: Leicester Women 2-2 Bristol City Women

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