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Manchester City and Tottenham go head-to-head in the WSL at the weekend, two teams separated by 15 points in last season’s final table but already 20 points apart so far in 2022/23.
City have come unstuck against Spurs before – losing this very fixture at the start of last season – but are on a run of 11 WSL games unbeaten and have eyes firmly fixed on a top three place that will mean Champions League qualification again.
Leicester’s burst of form in 2023 has seen Spurs slip to within three points of the foot of the table, such has been their woeful form throughout the winter.
City comfortably won the reverse of this game 3-0 earlier this season.
Man City team news
Esme Morgan could return for Manchester City after recovering from an Achilles problem that has kept her sidelined since January.
Demi Stokes and Kerstin Casparij are also back in contention for Gareth Taylor and City, but Alanna Kennedy and Hayley Ruso are out injured,
Man City predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Roebuck; Casparji, Houghton, Greenwood, Aleixandri; Hasegawa, Angeldal; Kelly, Coombs, Hemp, Shaw
The away side are without the suspended Eveliina Summanen. The 24-year-old was banned for two games by the FA after being found guilty of deceiving a match official during the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United – a red card was issued to Ella Toone at the time.
Beth England has five WSL goals so far this season and will lead the line once more.
Tottenham predicted lineup (3-4-3): Korpela; Turner, Bartrip, Zardorsky; Neville, James, Spence, Harrop; Bizet Ildhusoy, Iwabuchi, England
Even with Bethany England adding a goal threat since her club record January arrival, Spurs have been heading in one direction only in recent months – and that is down.
The Londoners have lost seven WSL games in a row since thrashing Brighton 8-0 in October and those kind of losing streaks are hard to break – regardless of the fact they were competitive against both Manchester United and Chelsea in February.
Manchester City should have the quality to take advantage of that, especially at home. Gareth Taylor’s side beat Arsenal in the WSL last month to go into the top three, albeit having also lost to the Gunners only three days earlier in the Conti Cup semi-finals. They have also enjoyed a number of very one-sided cup wins over lower league sides in 2023 to boost confidence.
