Manchester City Women will look to maintain their 100% home record when they welcome Leicester City Women to the Joie Stadium on Sunday.
The hosts are sitting in second place in the Women's Super League table, while the visitors will head into matchday nine in 10th position.
Match preview
Manchester City Women's Khadija Shaw celebrates after scoring on November 21, 2024© Imago
Man City made an unbeaten start to the 2024-25 season, recording 11 wins and one draw in 12 matches in all competitions.
However, their undefeated streak was brought to an end by a 2-0 defeat in last month's away clash against title rivals Chelsea.
Mayra Ramirez and Guro Reiten scored in the second half to condemn Man City to their first WSL defeat of the season.
Gareth Taylor's side quickly picked themselves up to claim a 2-1 victory over Hammarby in their final outing before the international break, sealing their passage to the Women's Champions League quarter-finals with two games to play.
Man City will return from the international period with hopes of closing the five-point gap to WSL leaders Chelsea as they look to win their first league title since 2016.
Sunday's hosts will fancy their chances of claiming all three points after winning each of their seven competitive home games this season, keeping clean sheets in six of those matches.
Leicester City Women's Jutta Rantala on September 22, 2024© Imago
After taking just five points from eight matches, Leicester are battling to preserve their top-flight status, with goal difference keeping them above West Ham United and Crystal Palace.
The Foxes failed to take anything from their three league games in November, losing 1-0 in away games against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham, before they fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Manchester United.
Leicester may boast the fifth-best defensive record in the WSL, but their problems lie at the other end of the pitch, with two goals in eight games making them the lowest scorers in the top flight.
The Foxes failed to trouble the scorers in their final outing before the international break, playing out a goalless draw in their Women's League Cup meeting with Brighton, before winning the subsequent penalty shootout to collect a bonus point.
They will now turn their focus to Sunday's league difficult league fixture, with hopes of finding the net for the first time since Yuka Momiki scored in a 1-0 win over Everton on October 20.
Manchester City Women Women's Super League form:
Manchester City Women form (all competitions):
Leicester City Women Women's Super League form:
Leicester City Women form (all competitions):
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Team News
Manchester City Women's Lauren Hemp in action on November 8, 2024© Imago
Man City remain without goalkeeper Sandy MacIver and defender Risa Shimizu, with the pair working on their rehabilitation from anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
Lauren Hemp and Viviane Miedema are set to miss out with knee issues, while Chloe Kelly is unavailable after she sustained a concussion on international duty.
Defender Laia Aleixandri is in contention to start, having recovered from an injury which has kept her out of the last five matches.
WSL top scorer Bunny Shaw will be looking to add to her seven-goal league tally when she leads the line at the Joie Stadium.
Meanwhile, the visitors are unable to call upon Jutta Rantala, Lena Petermann and Noemi Mouchon due to knee injuries.
Leicester boss Amandine Miquel is also expected to be without the services of Samantha Tierney and Shannon O'Brien.
Hannah Cain is set to be among the starters after scoring in Wales's qualifying playoff win over the Republic of Ireland to help her country reach next summer's European Championship.
Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:
Yamashita; Casparij, Kennedy, Greenwood, Ouahabi; Roord, Hasegawa, Park; Fowler, Fujino, Shaw
Leicester City Women possible starting lineup:
Leitzig; Bott, Howard, Kees, Nevin; Momiki, Mace; Cain, Chossenotte, Takarada; Cayman
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We say: Manchester City Women 3-0 Leicester City Women
Man City have won all seven of their competitive home matches this season, and we think they will maintain their perfect home record by sweeping past a Leicester side that have lost their last two away league games without conceding.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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