A massive game in the quest for survival in the Women's Super League takes place on Sunday, when bottom side Birmingham City Women welcome 11th-placed Leicester Women to St Andrew's.

There is currently only two points separating the two teams, with both the Blues and the Foxes entering this relegation clash on the back of victories in the FA Cup.

Match preview

Darren Carter's side were forced into extra time last weekend against Sunderland, who equalised just five minutes before the 90-minute final whistle, but Lucy Whipp rescued the hosts to send the top-flight outfit into the next round.

Birmingham would have been mightily disappointed that they did not secure at least one point last time out in the WSL, having put themselves 2-0 up against Reading, courtesy of goals from Gemma Lawley and Jade Pennock.

The Royals turned that game around and sent Birmingham to a 3-2 defeat, also meaning that Carter's side have conceded eight goals in their last two WSL matches.

They began 2022 in the best way possible, producing a shock 2-0 win against table toppers Arsenal after the winter break, but they need to capitalise on those three points this weekend having lost their two domestic outings since then.

That victory against the Gunners was Birmingham's last game on home soil in the league, and that will give them confidence heading into Sunday's encounter, looking to build a good run on their own patch in the second part of this campaign.

Leicester also progressed in the FA Cup last weekend, defeating fellow WSL outfit Tottenham Hotspur 3-1, having also taken the game to extra time, this time with the Foxes striking late after they went 1-0 down in the 61st minute.

Lydia Bedford's side will feel that they cannot miss the opportunity to go five points clear of Birmingham and the relegation zone, in what has been a tough first season in the top flight.

Late heartbreak inflicted by Aston Villa's Alisha Lehmann two weeks ago denied the Foxes another point on the board, falling to a 2-1 defeat against the ninth-placed side.

Both Leicester and Birmingham have been low scorers in the division this season, finding the back of the net on just seven and eight occasions respectively, but Sunday could bring goals with their defensive records also amongst the worst in the league.

The Blues will be out for revenge, after Leicester sealed a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture in December, thanks to goals from Sophie Howard and Sam Tierney.

Team News

Birmingham defender Arabella Suttie remains sidelined due to a long-term injury, which will see her sit out the remainder of this season also, but there are no new injury concerns for Carter.

The hosts could name the same side that faced Reading two weeks ago, with Carter aiming for his players to make a good start again as they did in that game, looking to Pennock and Libby Smith to create an attacking threat.

Lucy Quinn has provided three assists in the WSL this season, and along with Christie Murray and Veatriki Sarri, the midfield trio will look to get forward as well.

Leicester goalkeeper Kirstie Levell remains sidelined due to injury, and she is not expected to make a return until next month, while Lachante Paul, who has not featured since September, also continues to be absent.

Shannon O'Brien is likely to lead the line for the Foxes, and she will be supported by Jessica Sigsworth and Natasha Flint in an attacking front three set up by Bedford.

Birmingham City Women possible starting lineup:
Ramsey; Scott, Louise Quinn, Lawley; Holloway, Sarri, Murray, Lucy Quinn, Finn; Pennock, Smith

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:
Lambourne; Plumptre, McManus, Howard; Purfield, Pike, Tierney, De Graaf; Flint, O'Brien, Sigsworth

We say: Birmingham City Women 2-1 Leicester Women

Home advantage could play a major role in the final result of this encounter, and Birmingham should be confident having recently beaten Arsenal in front of their own crowd.

Leicester are likely to cause Birmingham problems which is why the visitors should get on the scoresheet, but Birmingham will just edge this one on their own patch.

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