Manchester City Women are still looking to improve on their poor start to this campaign, as they currently sit ninth in the Women's Super League and 11 points off leaders Arsenal.

Leicester Women have also found the beginning of this season particularly difficult, failing to earn a single point in the first five games of their inaugural top-flight campaign.

Match preview

Not only have Leicester lost all five league games so far this season, they have not managed to break their losing streak across all competitions, which has now been extended to seven straight defeats.

Before the international break, the Foxes faced a tough test when they travelled to London where they took on reigning champions Chelsea, but despite the Blues being strong favourites for that clash, Jonathan Morgan's side put in a resilient performance.

Leicester did come away from Kingsmeadow with a 2-0 defeat to their name, but after some of the thrashings Emma Hayes's side have given to other WSL teams this season, it was not a bad effort from the newcomers.

The Foxes managed to get a game under their belt after the long break before Sunday's encounter, welcoming Jean-Luc Vasseur with his new Everton side to the Midlands in the League Cup.

However, the Toffees came out on top in that game defeating the home side 3-1, and it is unlikely that Leicester are looking forward to this weekend's game having already faced Man City in the FA Cup this season.

The last meeting between these two teams came at the end of September and Gareth Taylor's side tore Leicester apart, progressing into the FA Cup semi-final with a 6-0 win.

The away side will be looking to emulate that result this time around, and they will be confident in doing so after triumph in the League Cup on Thursday.

Filippa Angeldal, Caroline Weir and Janine Beckie ensured Man City picked up three points in Group B with a 3-0 win over Championship leaders Durham.

That victory in midweek was important for Man City, who had to bounce back after a 3-0 defeat against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend, but Sunday presents an opportunity for Man City to go two consecutive games unbeaten in the WSL for the first time this season.

Team News

The Foxes will line up in a 4-4-2 formation and they will need to be disciplined in their shape as Man City are expected to dominate possession of the ball.

Goalkeeper Kirstie Levell is likely to need to be on top form as Man City will create chances on her goal, but she will need the help of her back four including Jemma Purfield, Ashleigh Plumptre, Abbie McManus and Georgia Brougham.

Jessica Sigsworth and Natasha Flint will lead the line for the home side, and the attacking duo will play a big role in helping their side make their way up the pitch into their own attacking third.

Man City will remain without a whole host of key players, including Lucy Bronze and captain Steph Houghton, who Taylor says are both making good progress on their injuries and have entered the next stage of rehab.

Khadija Shaw missed the game against Durham on Thursday due to injury, and she will not be able to start on Sunday, but may be fit enough for a place on the bench.

Georgia Stanway received a straight red card for a challenge early on in the Manchester derby last month, but she will be available again after serving her suspension throughout the League Cup fixtures since then.

Lauren Hemp is sure to start for the visitors and will provide one of the biggest attacking threats to Leicester, with her pace she will be looking to get down the left wing and provide crosses for Ellen White.

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

Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:
Benameur; Stokes, Greenwood, Scott, Mace; Weir, Walsh, Angeldal; Hemp, White, Beckie

We say: Leicester Women 1-2 Manchester City Women

With Manchester City's poor start to the season by their standards, that could give the Foxes an opportunity to get on the scoresheet this weekend.

However, Man City are expected to still be too strong for their hosts, and if they are to have a chance of securing a top-three finish come the end of the season, this is a must-win fixture for the visitors.

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