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

While the hosts are propping up the WSL table, the Foxes are currently sitting in eighth place with nine points to their name.

Match preview

After taking seven points from their opening three matches, Leicester have only added two points to their tally in their last six league matches.

The Foxes would have been disappointed to miss out on a victory last weekend when they took a two-goal lead in their away meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion thanks to efforts from Lena Petermann and Jutta Rantala.

However, Willie Kirk's side were unable to resist a late Brighton fight-back, with Elisabeth Terland netting a brace in the final 10 minutes to prolong Leicester's wait for a first league win since October 8.

Unfortunately for the Foxes, they experienced more disappointment in midweek, losing 3-1 to Manchester United in the League Cup to leave them in third place in the group and dent their chances of reaching the knockout rounds.

Having seen his side concede at least two goals in six of their last seven competitive matches, Kirk will be challenging his side to produce a strong defensive display this weekend, as they look to claim their second clean sheet of the season.

Like their hosts, West Ham are also in need of maximum points after failing to win a league game since beating Brighton & Hove Albion on October 8.

They have gone on to lose six of their seven games since that result, leaving them bottom of the standings and one point adrift of safety.

West Ham fell to a fifth consecutive league defeat last weekend, with their clash against Everton decided by Karen Holmgaard's second-half effort.

As a result of that 1-0 defeat, Rehanne Skinner's side have now failed to score in five of their nine WSL matches, highlighting a key area for improvement if they are to move off the foot of the table.

With West Ham in need of a confidence boost, they might be able to draw inspiration from the fact they completed a league double over Leicester last season, winning 1-0 in the home meeting before recording a 2-1 victory in May's reverse fixture.

Leicester Women Women's Super League form:

L

L

L

D

L

D

Leicester Women form (all competitions):

West Ham United Women Women's Super League form:

D

L

L

L

L

L

West Ham United form (all competitions):

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Team News

Leicester will be unable to call upon the services of CJ Bott, who sustained a calf injury in last Sunday's draw with Brighton.

While Bott joins Deanne Rose and Shannon O'Brien on the sidelines, Aimee Palmer will return to the squad after missing Thursday's League Cup game through suspension.

After scoring her third league goal of the season last weekend, Petermann will look to add to her tally when she features in the Leicester forward line.

As for the visitors, they will have to cope without Belgium international Amber Tysiak due to concussion protocols.

With Tysiak set to miss out, Shannon Cooke could come into the side to feature in a back three alongside Risa Shimizu and Hawa Cissoko.

West Ham also have doubts over the availability of first-choice goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, who has missed the last two league matches with an injury issue.

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:

Leitzig; Green, Howard, Thibaud; Nevin, Palmer, Tierney, Cayman; Whelan, Rantala; Petermann

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:

Walsh; Shimizu, Tysiak, Cissoko; Evans, Hayashi, Stringer, Smith; Ziu, Asseyi; Ueki

We say: Leicester Women 2-1 West Ham United Women

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