Preview: Leicester Women vs. West Ham United Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Leicester Women will be looking to claim consecutive Women's Super League victories when they face West Ham United Women.

The Hammers, who sit in seventh place, will be aiming to win their third successive game in all competitions on Sunday.

Match preview

© Reuters

Since replacing Jonathan Morgan as Leicester boss in December, Lydia Bedford has masterminded an upturn in fortunes that has seen Leicester slowly move away from the relegation danger.

Taking over a side that had yet to pick a point in the WSL this season, Bedford has overseen three wins in her six league games in charge, moving the Foxes five points clear of the drop zone.

They collected an important victory over relegation rivals Birmingham City last weekend, with the Foxes claiming a 2-1 away victory.

Birmingham were reduced to 10 players after Emily Ramsey was shown a straight red card in the 21st minute before goals from Jessica Sigsworth and Jemma Purfield gave Leicester a two-goal lead and although Louise Quinn scored a late goal for the hosts, the Foxes held firm to seal an important victory.

Having won two of their previous three home league games, Leicester will be hopeful that they can avenge the 4-0 defeat that they suffered against the Hammers in the reverse fixture in September.

© Reuters

West Ham enter Sunday's contest in confident mood after winning their last two games in all competitions.

After thrashing Sheffield United 4-1 in the FA Cup, the Hammers edged out Aston Villa last weekend to claim their second away league victory of the season.

Abbey-Leigh Stringer gave the Hammers an early lead against Aston Villa, but an Alisha Lehmann spot kick ensured that the teams went into half time level before Katerina Svitkova struck seven minutes after the restart to guide West Ham to a 2-1 victory.

Olli Harder's side will be on the road once again this weekend, and they will be confident of picking up a positive result having lost only twice in their previous nine away games in all competitions.

With five points separating themselves and a Champions League qualification spot, a win on Sunday would lift the Hammers into the battle for a European place.

Team News

© Reuters

Leicester will be without the services of long-term injury absentees Lachante Paul and Hannah Cain.

Kirstie Levell has returned to training after recovering from a knee injury and the goalkeeper could come into the starting lineup for Sunday's contest.

The change of goalkeeper could be the only alteration that Bedford makes to the side as Leicester look to build upon the victory that they picked up last weekend.

Meanwhile, West Ham are still missing Adriana Leon, Maisy Barker and Grace Garrad, who are all long-term absentees.

Despite scoring last weekend, Stringer will be suspended for Sunday's encounter after picking up her fifth yellow card of the season against Aston Villa.

Lisa Evans is also expected to miss out after injury forced her off at half time against Aston Villa.

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:

Levell; Howard, McManus, Plumptre; De Graaf, Pike, Tierney, Purfield; Sigsworth, O'Brien, Gregory

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:

Arnold; Flaherty, Fisk, Parker; Wyne, Filis, Snerle, Svitkova, Longhurst; Brynjarsdottir, Walker

We say: Leicester Women 1-2 West Ham United Women

Although Leicester have improved under Bedford's stewardship, we think that West Ham will have too much quality for the Foxes on Sunday, with the Hammers aiming to move into the top half of the WSL table.