Two struggling sides will face off when Everton Ladies play host to newly-promoted Bristol City Women in Sunday's Women's Super League contest.
The visitors, who have mustered three points from six matches, are languishing at the foot of the Women's Super League table, while Everton are just one point better off in 10th position.
Match preview
Everton have struggled in the opening six weeks of the season, winning just one of their eight competitive games (D1, L6).
Since beating local rivals Liverpool in their one and only win of the campaign, the Toffees have gone on to lose three of their next four matches.
After being thrashed 5-0 by Manchester United, Everton salvaged a point in their away meeting with Spurs, but they were unable to build upon that result, as they fell to another heavy defeat to the Red Devils, losing 7-0 in their opening group game of the League Cup.
They experienced more disappointment in last Sunday's home clash with Chelsea, as goals from Jessie Fleming, Sam Kerr and Aggie Beever-Jones condemned the Toffees to a 3-0 defeat.
While Brian Sorensen will be concerned by the fact that his side have conceded 16 goals in their previous four matches, he will also be frustrated by their lack of attacking threat, having seen his team register just three league goals this season - no side has scored fewer goals in the WSL.
Bristol City have found it tough going in the opening stages of the season, having lost five of their six league matches.
The Robins were in 11th place ahead of last Sunday's meeting with Aston Villa, but a Megan Connolly own goal and an Ebony Salmon strike condemned Lauren Smith's side to a 2-0 defeat, which saw them drop below the Villans on goal difference.
They have now shipped at least two goals in each of their six league matches, and having conceded 18 times this season, they currently hold the worst defensive record in the top flight.
Despite struggling defensively, Bristol City do have the chance to claim consecutive away victories this weekend after beating West Ham United in their most recent away encounter.
However, their head-to-head record will not inspire too much optimism, as the Robins have lost their last four competitive meetings with Everton since recording a 1-0 victory in March 2019.
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- W
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- D
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Team News
Sorensen has confirmed that Everton remain without the services of defensive duo Elise Stenevik and Lucy Hope.
In positive news, Sweden international Nathalie Bjorn has recovered from a hamstring injury earlier than expected and is in contention to start against Bristol City.
Sorensen could be tempted to make a couple of changes in the final third, with Hanna Bennison and Katja Snoeijs pushing for starting places.
As for Bristol City, they are unable to call upon Fran Bentley and Satara Murray, who are both sidelined with knee issues.
Olivia Clarke could replace goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese, who was forced off last weekend following a collision with the post.
Jamie-Lee Napier is also a doubt for Sunday's away trip after missing the defeat to Aston Villa with an injury issue.
Everton Ladies possible starting lineup:
Brosnan; Bjorn, Finnigan, Veje; Payne, Galli, Vanhaevermaet, Wheeler; Bennison; Sorensen, Snoeijs
Bristol City Women possible starting lineup:
Clarke; Powell, Aspin, Connolly, Layzell, Harrison; Morgan, Furness, Rodgers, Jones; Thestrup
We say: Everton Ladies 2-1 Bristol City Women
Although Everton have lost all four of their home league games this term, three of those matches took place against teams that finished in the top four last season.
With the Toffees now set to play host to a newly-promoted Bristol City side, we think that they will utilise home advantage to claim a narrow victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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