Leicester Women are not quite safe from relegation after Birmingham City's win last weekend, meaning that the Foxes sit just four points above bottom spot, who have a game in hand to their advantage.

That means Sunday's hosts can mathematically secure their top-flight status when Reading visit the King Power Stadium this weekend, with the visitors currently sitting eighth.

Match preview

The Foxes enter this match on the back of six consecutive defeats in all competitions, during which time they have conceded 32 goals, but they have only played one team outside of the current top four teams in the WSL.

Last weekend, Lydia Bedford's side were in for another tough encounter as they travelled to the Academy Stadium to face an in-form Manchester City side, who defeated their visitors 4-0 in a comfortable match for the Citizens.

Leicester failed to make any mark on that game, seeing just 20% of the possession, which only gave them enough time to register three shots on goal.

After three wins from four league matches through January and into February, the Foxes managed to pull themselves away from bottom-placed Birmingham, but four points from their last two games has helped Darren Carter's side move to within touching distance of Leicester again.

Bedford's side will want to secure their safety in the WSL this weekend, needing a win to do so and hoping that Birmingham drop points against Chelsea, meaning that the pressure will be taken off the Foxes next weekend, when they travel to face Tottenham Hotspur on the final day.

Kelly Chambers's side are aiming to bounce back after consecutive defeats extended their winless run to nine games in all competitions, most recently losing out to West Ham last weekend.

The Royals created as many chances as their visitors at the Select Car Leasing Stadium last Sunday, but they lacked a clinical edge in the final third, which is something they will want to improve on this time around.

A notable factor as to why Reading do not find themselves higher in the WSL is that they have conceded more goals than any of the teams above them, and while lacking a cutting edge in front of goal, that mix does not bode well for getting good results.

Both of these sides have similar possession stats across the season, and do not tend to create many big chances in the attacking third, suggesting that Sunday's encounter will be a close affair.

In addition to that, the reverse fixture played in January saw the Royals come out as winners, but only by a narrow margin, thanks to a single strike from Natasha Dowie.

Team News

Bedford stated prior to this match that several players will require late fitness tests, but the manager did not disclose which players that statement referred to, although, she said that there are no major injury concerns.

Sam Tierney was replaced by Abbie McManus last time out, but the former is expected to return to the starting 11, playing in midfield alongside Molly Pike.

Natasha Flint could be joined by Shannon O'Brien as a striking duo to lead the line together, with the team operating in a 4-4-2 formation, with the width being provided by Freya Gregory and Missy Goodwin.

Meanwhile, the visitors are expected to play in a 3-4-3 formation, with Deanne Rose, Dowie and Amalie Eikeland making up that forward three with the responsibility of causing Leicester's defence some problems.

Sanne Troelsgaard will partner Justine Vanhaevermaet in midfield, with Lily Woodham and Faye Bryson proving Reading's width from their wing-back roles, which will see the wide duo support attacks also.

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

Reading Women possible starting lineup:
Moloney; Evans, Cooper, Harding; Woodham, Troelsgaard, Vanhaevermaet, Bryson; Rose, Dowie, Eikeland

We say: Leicester Women 1-1 Reading Women

Both teams are out of form, meaning that this will be a close encounter, with nothing likely to separate the two teams, who have struggled to find the back of the net this season.

Despite not scoring many goals this year, Leicester and Reading have been leaking goals freely which is why the hosts and visitors have a high chance of getting on the scoresheet themselves.

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