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

While the Hammers sit in eighth position, the visitors are currently bottom of the table after losing all seven of their league games this season.

Match preview

Paul Konchesky would have been content with the start to his reign as West Ham boss as his side began the season with three wins from five league games.

However, they have failed to pick up a point from their last two games after losing to Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion.

In an entertaining game against the Seagulls, Lisa Evans scored the opening goal for West Ham in the third minute, but three goals before the 20th-minute mark helped Brighton took a 3-1 lead into half time.

The Hammers halved the deficit due to a Victoria Williams own goal before Brighton found the net on a couple of occasions, and although Viviane Asseyi scored two goals in as many minutes, West Ham could not find an equaliser ensuring the Seagulls claimed a 5-4 victory.

Konchesky's side head into the weekend level on nine points with three other sides, and a victory on Sunday, could lift them into the top half of the table, depending on results elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Leicester are the only side in the WSL who are yet to pick up a point this term, and as a result, the Foxes are currently three points adrift of safety.

Before the club's home meeting with Arsenal, the decision was made to sack Lydia Bedford as Leicester manager and replace her with Willie Kirk, who moved from his role as Director of Football.

Unfortunately for the new boss, his tenure began with a demoralising 4-0 defeat after Frida Maanum, Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Stina Blackstenius all found the net for the Gunners.

While Kirk would have been concerned with his side's defensive display against Arsenal, he will also be frustrated with Leicester's struggles in the final third, as the Foxes have only scored two league goals this season, making them the lowest scorers in the WSL.

Although confidence may be at a premium in the Leicester squad, they may be able to take inspiration from the 3-0 victory they recorded against West Ham in February, which was the last time the Foxes claimed all three points in a WSL game.

West Ham United Women Women's Super League form:

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West Ham United Women form (all competitions):

Leicester Women Women's Super League form:

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Leicester Women form (all competitions):

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Lucy Parker, Jess Ziu and Maisy Barker, while Hawa Cissoko will serve the fourth match of a five-game suspension.

Melisa Filis could be presented with a place in the starting lineup after coming off the bench at half time against Brighton.

Asseyi has scored five goals in her last four games for club and country, and the France international will look to continue her impressive form when she leads the line on Sunday.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Jess Sigsworth, Hannah Cain, Josie Green and Lachante Paul due to injury issues.

Molly Pike and Carrie Jones both dropped out of the starting lineup for the defeat to Arsenal, but the pair could be brought back into the side for Sunday's contest.

With one of Leicester's two strikes this season being a Drew Spence own goal, Natasha Flint is the only Leicester player to score a league goal for the Foxes this term, and she will have the chance to find the net when she appears up front against West Ham.

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:

Hillyerd; Shimizu, Fisk, Longhurst, Smith; Brynjarsdottir, Stringer, Filis; Evans, Kyvag, Asseyi

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:

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

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

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