Leicester Women can leapfrog 10th-placed Everton Ladies on Saturday, when the two teams meet at Walton Hall Park in the Women's Super League.

The Toffees do have two games in hand on Leicester to their advantage, and are aiming to record three consecutive wins for the first time this season, while the Foxes need to bounce back from two heavy defeats.

Match preview

Everton are yet to permanently replace former manager Jean-Luc Vasseur, who departed the club at the beginning of February, but recently interim boss Chris Roberts has managed to secure his first wins in the dugout.

An 80th-minute strike from Aurora Galli sealed a much-needed 1-0 win against Aston Villa last time out in the WSL, and that followed a 2-0 win in the FA Cup against Championship outfit Charlton Athletic.

The Toffees have not managed to secure three consecutive wins all season, but this weekend presents a good opportunity to change that stat, but their home form has not helped them this year.

Roberts's side have won just once in the league at Walton Hall Park this campaign, compared to three victories on their travels, and with three of the current top four remaining to play in Merseyside, that record will be difficult to improve between now and May.

Lydia Bedford's side struggled to bounce back after a 7-0 defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup at the end of February, as they returned to WSL action with a 4-0 loss against Manchester United last weekend.

The Foxes never managed to get a foothold in that game, only managing two shots on target compared to the home side's eight at Demi Lambourne's goal.

With just six games left to play, it is likely that Leicester have done enough to retain their top-flight status this year, after a difficult start to life in the WSL.

They currently sit eight points clear of Birmingham City, who are on a poor run of form, and escaping from relegation should be viewed as a big success for the Foxes in their first season in the division.

These two teams last faced each other in November, when Everton just edged a 1-0 win courtesy of a 81st-minute winner from Simone Magill, and this encounter is likely to be just a closely fought.

Team News

Kenza Dali recovered from a slight injury during the international break and she has started both games since club action returned, with the 30-year-old expected to start on the right wing again this weekend.

Midfielder Lucy Graham has been limited this season due to injury, but she made her first start since December last time out, and could continue alongside Galli and Izzy Christiansen.

Toni Duggan's return to Everton has not quite worked out as she would have wished, having only netted once in 14 WSL appearances this season, but she will continue to lead the line for the Toffees.

Long-term absentees Hannah Cain, Lachante Paul and Kirstie Levell will continue to be sidelined for Leicester, while Tottenham Hotspur loanee Esther Morgan returned to her parent club last week due to injury.

There are no new injury or suspension concerns for Bedford to worry about, and Saturday's visitors have been boosted by the return of Nigeria international Ashleigh Plumptre, who missed their last two games.

Plumptre is expected to come back into the starting 11, in a defensive three also with Abbie McManus and Sophie Howard, while youngster Freya Gregory could retain her place in the side.

Everton Ladies possible starting lineup:
MacIver; Turner, George, Finnigan, Maier; Galli, Graham; Emslie, Christiansen, Dali; Duggan

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

We say: Everton Ladies 1-1 Leicester Women

Based off the last result, this encounter is likely to be a close affair and also taking into consideration their similar league positions, nothing is going to split the sides this weekend.

Everton will have been boosted by their last two results which is why they should be able to break Leicester's defence, but the visitors will view this as a good opportunity to bounce back after two poor results.

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