Manchester City Women will attempt to extend their unbeaten run to 12 games in the Women's Super League when they play host to Tottenham Hotspur Ladies on Sunday.
While the Citizens are sitting in third place, Spurs are languishing in ninth position after losing their last seven league matches.
Match preview
© Reuters
Prior to the international break, Man City bounced back from losing their League Cup semi-final to Arsenal by claiming a WSL victory over the Gunners just days later.
Goals from Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly guided the Citizens to a 2-1 win over Arsenal, moving the Citizens into third position - three points behind current leaders and their local rivals Man United.
Gareth Taylor's side returned from the international period in style last weekend, hammering second-tier Bristol City 8-1 in the FA Cup.
Khadija Shaw racked up four goals, Julie Blakstad registered a brace, while Filippa Angeldahl and Jemima Dahou also got on the scoresheet to help Man City set up a quarter-final tie with Aston Villa.
As they turn their attention to Sunday's league meeting with Spurs, the Citizens will be aiming to extend their 14-game unbeaten home league run - a streak which stretches back to November 2021.
© Reuters
In contrast to their hosts, Tottenham are experiencing a poor run of form, having failed to add to their points tally since thrashing Brighton & Hove Albion 8-0 in October.
A 2-1 loss to Man United before the international break condemned Spurs to a seventh consecutive defeat in the WSL, leaving Rehanne Skinner's side in ninth position and three points above the only relegation place.
Tottenham's woes continued last weekend as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Reading on penalties after playing out a goalless draw.
While games against relegation rivals Liverpool and Leicester City in the next two weeks may have a greater bearing on their WSL survival than Sunday's contest, Spurs will still be desperate to end their losing run this weekend.
Having conceded at least two goals in their last five league games, Tottenham will need to improve defensively if they are to trouble Man City on Sunday.
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- L
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Man City are expected to be without the services of Alanna Kennedy and Hayley Raso, although Kerstin Casparij is expected to return to the side after missing last weekend's cup win over Bristol City.
Esme Morgan has missed the last six games with an Achilles injury, but she could be fit enough to feature among the substitutes on Sunday.
Shaw has scored 21 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions this season, and the Jamaica international will be looking to continue her impressive form when she leads the line against Tottenham.
As for the visitors, Jess Naz will miss out through injury, while Eveliina Summanen is suspended after being given a retrospective FA ban for deceiving officials in Tottenham's defeat to Man United last month.
Cho So-hyun has been sidelined since the middle of January, but she is expected to be on the bench for Sunday's contest.
After missing the cup tie with Reading last weekend, Bethany England remains a doubt for the visitors, although Skinner is "hopeful" that the striker will be able to feature at the Academy Stadium.
Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:
Roebuck; Casparij, Houghton, Greenwood, Aleixandri; Hasegawa, Angeldahl; Kelly, Coombs, Hemp; Shaw
Tottenham Hotspur Ladies possible starting lineup:
Korpela; Ale, Bartrip, Turner; Harrop, James, Spence, Bizet; Neville, Iwabuchi, England
We say: Manchester City Women 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur Ladies
Man City have won seven of their last nine competitive home games, and we think that they will claim another home victory when they face a Tottenham side who are currently bereft of confidence following seven consecutive league defeats.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
