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

sportsmole.co.uk, 21 October 2022, 16:24
Manchester United will look to maintain their 100% record in the Women's Super League when they travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City on Sunday.

The Foxes, meanwhile, are still searching for their first points of the season after losing their opening four league games.

Match preview

Leicester narrowly avoided the drop last season, and another relegation battle seems to be in store for the 2022-23 campaign.

Although they have beaten Blackburn Rovers 3-0 in the League Cup, Leicester have lost their opening four league games, leaving them bottom of the WSL table.

The Foxes were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester City last weekend, as a result of the heavy defeat, they are now winless in their previous 11 league games.

Reading are the only side in the WSL who are still pointless this season, and Leicester will have to pull off an upset if they are to claim their first points of the season on Sunday.

After failing to score in their last three league games and conceding nine league goals this season, Lydia Bedford knows that her team need to improve at both ends of the pitch if they are to avoid relegation.

While Leicester are sitting at the bottom of the table, Manchester United are currently leading the pack thanks to their superior goal difference.

The Red Devils are one of two teams who are yet to drop points this season, while they are the league's highest scorers after scoring 10 goals across their three WSL games.

United began the season with wins over Reading and West Ham, before they drew 1-1 with Aston Villa in the League Cup, although they lost out on a bonus point following a penalty shootout defeat.

However, the Red Devils returned to winning ways last weekend as for the second straight home game they recorded a 4-0 victory.

An Ella Toone Brace as well as goals from Leah Galton and Adriana Leon guided United to a comfortable win over Brighton, and they will now attempt to claim a fourth consecutive victory on Sunday as they look to launch a serious title challenge.

Leicester Women Women's Super League form:

L

L

L

L

Leicester Women form (all competitions):

Manchester United Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

W

Manchester United Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Leicester are still unable to call upon the services of Hannah Cain and Lachante Paul, who are long-term absentees.

Demi Lambourne has not fixtured in a competitive game this season due to injury, but the goalkeeper could feature in the matchday squad, although Kirstie Levell is expected to retain her place between the posts.

After featuring as a second half substitute against Man City, Molly Pike could return to the starting lineup for Sunday's contest.

As for the visitors, they still expected to be without Alessia Russo for two to three weeks through injury, while Aoife Mannion and Grace Clinton will also be unavailable.

Hannah Blundell is expected to be fit for Sunday's game after being forced off at half time against Brighton, however, Ona Battle could miss out due to a concussion.

Nikita Parris came into the side last weekend, and the summer signing will look to score her first league goal for United on Sunday.

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:

Levell; Howard, Tierney, Plumptre; Purfield, Pike, Green, Whelan, Simon; Jones, O'Brien

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:

Earps; Le Tissier, Thorisdottir, Blundell, Turner; Zelem, Ladd; Garcia, Toone, Galton; Parris

We say: Leicester Women 0-4 Manchester United Women

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