Preview: Leicester Women vs. Everton Ladies – prediction, team news, lineups

Leicester Women will attempt to claim their third victory of the Women’s Super League season when they play host to Everton Ladies on Sunday.

While the Foxes prop up the WSL table with two points separating them from safety, Everton are sitting in midtable with 19 points to their name from 13 matches.

Match preview

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After losing the opening nine games of the WSL season, Leicester have managed to win two of their last four league matches.

However, the Foxes will have to pick themselves up after being thumped 5-1 by league leaders Manchester United last weekend.

As a result of the heavy defeat, Leicester now have the second-worst defensive record in the top flight, having conceded 32 league goals this season.

They are also the lowest scorers in the division with seven goals in 13 league games, highlighting the improvements that still need to be made if they are to move off the foot of the table.

After losing 1-0 to Everton in September due to Demi Lambourne‘s 94th-minute own goal, Leicester will be looking for revenge on Sunday.

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Everton will attempt to bounce back against Leicester after their four-game unbeaten league run was ended by Aston Villa last weekend.

Kenza Dali‘s early opener and Megan Finnigan‘s own goal condemned Everton to a 2-0 home defeat, which represents their first loss in the WSL in 2023.

Everton remain in sixth position despite the defeat and after finishing in 10th place last season, a top-half finish would certainly represent progress in Brian Sorensen‘s first season in charge.

Their encouraging campaign has been built on a strong defence, which has conceded 14 league goals – only the top four have a better defensive record.

They have also been tough to beat on their travels, losing only one of their previous five away matches in the WSL, and with three of those games yielding a victory, they will be confident of claiming all three points on Sunday.

Leicester Women Women’s Super League form:

Leicester Women form (all competitons):

Everton Ladies Women’s Super League form:

Everton Ladies form (all competitions):

Team News

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The visitors are still unable to call upon the services of Jess Sigsworth, Abbie McManus and Lachante Paul, who are sidelined with injury issues.

Catherine Bott will miss a second match in a row due to a knock, while Ava Baker is unavailable after being called up to the England Under-17 squad.

Man United loanee Carrie Jones was ineligible to face her parent club last weekend, but she is expected to return to the starting lineup on Sunday.

Everton, meanwhile, are still without goalkeeper Emily Ramsey, who is sidelined with an ankle issue, ensuring Courtney Brosnan will keep her place in goal.

Sara Holmgaard is also expected to be unavailable after missing the last two games due to a hip injury.

After dropping down to the bench last weekend, Aurora Galli could be recalled to the starting XI for the trip to the King Power Stadium.

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:
Leitzig; Nevin, Howard, Plumptre, Purfield; Mace, Tierney; Jones, Whelan, Cain; Siemsen

Everton Ladies possible starting lineup:
Brosnan; Finnigan, Bjorn, Sevecke; Hope, Wheeler, Galli, George; Beever-Jones, Park, Snoeijs

We say: Leicester Women 1-1 Everton Ladies

The reverse fixture appeared to be heading towards a goalless draw until a stoppage-time own goal gifted Everton all three points.

Despite losing heavily last weekend, two wins from four league games suggests Leicester have improved in recent weeks, and we think they will battle hard to hold the Toffees to a point on Sunday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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