Manchester United Women need to bounce back to winning ways in the Women's Super League if they are to avoid losing ground on Tottenham Hotspur, who currently sit third and two points ahead of the Red Devils.
Relegation-threatened Leicester Women are the visitors to Leigh Sports Village on Saturday, and the Foxes currently sit in 11th spot but a strong eight points clear of bottom place.
Match preview
Marc Skinner's side need to end a four-game winless run across all competitions, and they will be hurting after two consecutive defeats against rivals Manchester City.
Man United entered the international break on the back of a 1-0 loss against the Citizens in the WSL, and they then returned to action with a heavier 4-1 defeat against Gareth Taylor's side in the FA Cup.
Saturday's hosts will be boosted by the fact that they have netted 18 goals in just seven matches on home soil this season, suggesting that the Red Devils should produce an entertaining attacking performance.
Their last three WSL matches at Leigh Sports Village have seen Skinner's side score 13 goals without a reply from the opposition, further enhancing their chances of three points this weekend.
With eight games remaining for United, the race for a Champions League qualification spot is likely to go to the wire, so hitting a winning run at this point in the campaign is crucial for Skinner's team.
After a tough start to life in the top flight, Leicester have seemingly found their feet in the WSL, and before the international break, they recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this campaign.
A crucial three points in the fight for survival was secured by Lydia Bedford's side against Birmingham last month, and that was followed by an emphatic 3-0 win over West Ham United.
Goals from Natasha Flint, Ashleigh Plumptre and Freya Gregory sealed that victory last time out in the league, and now sitting eight points clear of the Blues, Leicester's top-flight status is close to being retained.
The Foxes do need to bounce back from a heavy 7-0 defeat against Chelsea in the FA Cup last weekend, but with full priority on their WSL position, they are expected to showcase a better performance this Saturday.
This will be the third meeting between these two teams this season, with Man United claiming all three points with a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture, while Leicester defeated Saturday's opponents on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the League Cup in December.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- L
- W
- W
- L
- D
- L
- L
- W
- L
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
Team News
Man United centre-back Millie Turner has remained an absentee for the last six games in all competitions, and she is expected to remain sidelined with Maria Thorisdottir and Diane Caldwell continuing in the heart of defence.
Signe Bruun dropped to the bench for their last outing against Man City in the FA Cup, but the Danish forward could come back into the starting 11, in place of Martha Thomas.
Katie Zelem and Hayley Ladd are expected to operate in the two midfield roles in front of the back four, while Vilde Boe Risa could have more licence to attack from a number 10 role.
Leicester have confirmed the signing of New Zealand international Catherine Bott, who will help strengthen the Foxes' defence, but she will not feature on Saturday having only arrived at the club on Thursday.
The visitors are expected to operate in a 3-4-2-1 formation, which could alter into a 5-4-1 out of possession, with Flint given the responsibility of helping her team move forward as she leads the line.
Both Gregory and Shannon O'Brien were involved in the goals against West Ham last time out in the league, and they will start behind Flint in an attacking-midfield role.
Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Blundell, Caldwell, Thorisdottir, Battle; Ladd, Zelem; Toone, Risa, Bruun; Russo
Leicester Women possible starting lineup:
Lambourne; Plumptre, McManus, Howard; Purfield, Pike, Tierney, De Graaf; Gregory, O'Brien; Flint
We say: Manchester United Women 2-0 Leicester Women
With a Champions League place at stake, Man United will be determined to get back to winning ways this weekend and they are strong favourites to do so on home soil.
Leicester have shown positive signs in the WSL in recent weeks, but facing a top-three chasing Man United side is not going to be an easy task and they are expected not to be able to stop United's fluent attack.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
