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

sportsmole.co.uk, 3 March 2023, 14:50
The Women's Super League leaders Manchester United Women will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions when they play host to Leicester Women on Sunday.

The visitors, meanwhile, have the chance to claim consecutive victories in the WSL for the first time this season.

Match preview

Man United returned from the international break with a commanding 5-0 victory over second-tier Durham in the FA Cup last weekend.

Vilde Boe Risa's opened the scoring with a superb free kick in the 42nd minute, before Leah Galton, Hannah Blundell, Alessia Russo and Nikita Parris all found the net in the second half to secure Man United's place in the quarter-finals, where they will travel to Championship side Lewes.

Marc Skinner's side will now turn their attention back to league matters, as they continue to dream of lifting their first WSL title in the club's history.

The Red Devils are currently one point clear of Chelsea, who have a game in hand, and with Man United set to face the defending champions next weekend, they will be guaranteed to enter that top-of-the-table clash as the league leaders if they claim all three points on Sunday.

Man United have won all three of their previous WSL meetings with Leicester, including a narrow 1-0 win over the Foxes in October.

Leicester, meanwhile, will return to competitive action following a three-week interval due to the international break and their early elimination from the FA Cup.

After losing their opening nine matches of the WSL season, Leicester have begun to turn their season around with two wins from their last three league matches.

A comfortable 3-0 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion was followed by a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, but Leicester entered the international period in a buoyant mood after claiming a narrow win over Liverpool.

Hannah Cain's eighth-minute strike proved to be decisive as Leicester defeated the Reds to record their first away victory of the WSL season.

Although Leicester remain in the one and only relegation place, they will move off the foot of the table if they can clinch all three points against the Red Devils.

Manchester United Women Women's Super League form:

W

D

W

W

D

W

Manchester United Women form (all competitions):

Leicester Women Women's Super League form:

L

L

L

W

L

W

Leicester Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Man United are still unable to call upon January signing Jayde Riviere, who is yet to make her debut due to an injury issue.

Riviere's fellow winter arrival Lisa Naalsund has participated in full training this week, and the Norway international is expected to be on the bench on Sunday, as she eagerly anticipates her first appearance for the club.

After being presented with The Best FIFA Goalkeeper award in Paris on Monday, Mary Earps will be looking to round off a memorable week with a clean sheet.

As for the visitors, they are still expected to be without Abbie McManus, Jess Sigsworth and Lachante Paul.

Leicester boss Willie Kirk will also have to cope without the services of Man United loanee Carrie Jones, who is ineligible to face her parent club.

Remy Siemsen has been sidelined since joining the Foxes in January, but the Australia international is expected to be involved in some capacity.

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:

Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Zelem, Ladd; Parris, Toone, Galton; Russo

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:

Leitzig; Bott, Howard, Plumptre, Nevin; Tierney, Mace; Whelan, Pike, Goodwin; Cain

We say: Manchester United Women 2-0 Leicester Women

Although Leicester have undoubtedly improved in their recent WSL outings, we think that they will be unable to match the quality possessed by a Man United side that are unbeaten in seven league games, and as a result, we believe the hosts will claim all three points without much fuss on Sunday.

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