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

After a disappointing opening day defeat for West Ham, they earned a point against Aston Villa last time out before the international break, and the Hammers will want to claim their first victory on home soil this weekend.

Match preview

West Ham's 1-1 draw against Villa two weeks ago would have felt like defeat for Olli Harder's team, given that they took the lead thanks to Adriana Leon's 8th-minute strike and looked to have the three points claimed after 90 minutes had been played.

However, the Hammers could not hold onto that one-goal advantage and two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the second half, Remi Allen equalised for Villa and the spoils were shared.

Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has faced 11 shots on target in the opening two games and West Ham are likely to need to reduce the amount of chances they are allowing their opposition, especially considering that they are not creating many goal scoring opportunities themselves.

Last season, West Ham only picked up one point from their opening five WSL games, but this time around for Harder's first full campaign in charge, they will be looking to make it four points from their first three games with victory on Sunday.

The Hammers felt aggrieved about the red card which Hawa Cissoko was shown on the opening day, and they came close to three points last time out against Villa, so the home team could be confident against the Foxes and keen to build some momentum.

Leicester's start to life in the top flight has been difficult, with Jonathan Morgan's side losing their opening two fixtures against Aston Villa and Manchester United.

The Foxes were relatively pleased with their performance when they travelled to Birmingham to face Carla Ward's side but the 2-1 result did not go their way, and then in their last outing, potential title contenders Man United asserted their authority on the game.

Former Red Devils centre-back Abbie McManus had given the Foxes a route back into that game when she made the scoreline 2-1 in favour of the visitors, but Martha Thomas sealed the 3-1 win for Man United just 10 minutes later in the second half.

Morgan will want his side to start recording points on the board and may settle for a draw at West Ham just in order to break this losing run, nevertheless, the visitors are a confident group and will be sure of creating chances like they did in their last away outing.

West Ham United Women Women's Super League form:

Leicester Women Women's Super League form:

Team News

West Ham's Cissoko will be available for selection as her red card offence for handball was punished with a one-match ban, and she could come back into the starting 11 alongside Gilly Flaherty and Kate Longhurst in a back three.

Leon and Claudia Walker, who is looking for her first goal for the Hammers, will lead the line for the home side, as they have done for the opening two fixtures.

There was only one change to the midfield five in their last outing, with Dagny Brynjarsdottir replacing Yui Hasegawa and the Icelandic international is likely to keep her place in the team.

Morgan made five changes to the team which started against Villa to the side which lined up to face Man United, and winger Paige Bailey-Gayle was substituted just before the half-time whistle last time out.

The Foxes created many more chances on the opening day, therefore, the away side could name a similar lineup which will mean Natasha Flint and Jessica Sigsworth lead the line.

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:

Arnold; Longhurst, Flaherty, Cissoko; Wyne, Filis, Stringer, Brynjarsdottir, Evans; Walker, Leon

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:

Levell; Brougham, McManus, Tierney; Cain, Barker, Pike, Devlin; O'Brien; Flint, Sigsworth

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

Leicester have shown at times this season that they have what it takes to remain in the top flight this season, but they do need to convert their chances and start recording points on the table.

Sunday could be the day which kick starts their season, as West Ham have shown defensive frailties in their opening two games, and the Foxes should be confident in East London.