Match Preview: London City Lionesses vs. LCFC Women
- LCFC Women face London City Lionesses at Princes Park on Sunday (2pm kick-off)
- The Foxes are searching for a third straight FA Women's Championship victory after wins over Liverpool and Crystal Palace
- The Lionesses have won one of their first six league matches
- You can follow all of the action via LCFC Women's social media channels
Sunday sees the return of league action for LCFC Women, who face London City at Princes Park (2pm kick-off).
Seven points from the last three games, including back-to-back wins, has seen the Foxes rise to third in the table after five league fixtures.
The Londoners, meanwhile, sit 10th in the early standings, having lost four of their opening six matches.
Here's all the key information you need ahead of Sunday's encounter...
The Foxes camp
City will head into Sunday's fixture with confidence, backing up a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Durham by beating Crystal Palace (4-1) and Liverpool (2-1).
Goals from Remi Allen (2), Natasha Flint and Lachante Paul were enough to see off the Eagles, while it was Paul and Paige Bailey-Gayle on the scoresheet against the Reds.
The Foxes could go top of the Championship standings for the first time this season should Leicester win and other results go in their favour.
Ones to watch
Republic of Ireland international Alli Murphy joined the Lionesses in the summer of 2020 and made an instant impact, scoring in a 2-1 home win over London Bees. The 26-year-old midfielder, who signed after a spell playing for Icelandic outfit UMF Sefloss, previously spent time at Houston Dash and Washington Spirit in the NWSL. She also lists Swedish side Gustavs GolF and PEC Zwolle of the Netherlands as former clubs.
Ghanian-born former England Under-23s international Freda Ayisi signed for the Lionesses ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, after a one-season spell with the Foxes. Ayisi came through the ranks at Arsenal, before a three year stint at Birmingham City. Now an experienced midfielder, the 25-year-old played 10 times for the club last season, scoring once, and also netted in the opening game of 2020/21.
Talking points
LCFC Women Manager Jonathan Morgan said: "The position and the league results don't really have a bearing as anything can happen at this level. I think every team is good enough on their day to take three points, it's a very competitive league.
"So we're taking nothing for granted, we're underestimating nobody, and all we can do is play to the best of our ability and we're confident if we do that, we should come away with three points."
London City Lionesses head coach Melissa Phillips said: "For us, it's about having belief in our identity and doing that through clarifying our values and roles as a team. So, we’ve done a lot of small group individual functional sessions that have really helped us gasp what we’re trying to do.
"I think it has helped the players feel confident going into the next match but also just a bit of excitement. We've kept it fun, kept it competitive, raised the level and have made sure that everyone is engaged.”
Opposition form guide
The Lionesses were defeated 1-0 by Blackburn Rovers last time out, having picked up their first victory of the season over London Bees the previous week, thanks to goals from Alli Murphy and Harley Bennett.
London City also suffered league defeats against Sheffield United, Durham and Lewes, though they did pick up a point away at Crystal Palace, to stand on four points after six games.
Last time out
The two teams last met over a year ago, on 8 September, 2019, when the Lionesses took all three points at Princes Park. Goals from Ylenia Priest, Leanne Cowan and Evie Clarke had the hosts ahead, before Simran Jhamat's late consolation for the Foxes.
Team news
City are set to welcome back Holly Morgan, Sam Tierney and Freya Thomas for the encounter, after all three sat out the victory over Crystal Palace through injury. Hannah Cain, meanwhile, remains Leicester's only long-term absentee.
How to follow
You can keep up to date with the latest from Princes Park and access live updates by following LCFC Women on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, while there will be plenty of post-match content from the Foxes camp, including interviews and match highlights, available on LCFC TV after full-time.
A full match replay will also be available to watch on The FA Player from midday on Monday.
All times GMT.