Previewing Man City’s League Cup Visit
Three-time winners Manchester City are the visitors as both sides go head-to-head to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition for the second season running.
A Leicester win would see the Foxes finish second and remain in with a chance of going through to the knockout stages as the best runners-up, though this would require a nine-goal swing.
Ahead of the clash in Burton, here’s the key information you need to know…
The Foxes camp
Lydia Bedford’s charges were beaten 1-0 by Reading in last weekend's Barclays FA Women's Super League encounter at Select Car Leasing Stadium, their first fixture of 2022, despite Demi Lambourne's first half penalty save. The Foxes are back in WSL action on Sunday, hosting Brighton & Hove Albion at King Power Stadium.
Leicester earned two points from their previous League Cup encounter, meanwhile, beating Manchester United 4-3 on penalties at Leigh Sports Village. Sophie Howard and Natasha Flint found the net during a 2-2 draw in normal time before Lambourne made two saves in the resulting shootout.
The opposition
Manchester City sit second in Group B as things stand, with six points from their three fixtures to date, on course to qualify for the quarter-finals with a win in Burton. Beating Everton 5-1 in their opening game, Gareth Taylor’s side then defeated Durham 3-0 at home. Their only defeat came against city rivals Manchester United.
In the Women’s Super League, meanwhile, Wednesday’s opponents come into the game off the back of thrashing Brighton 6-0 at People Pension's Stadium three days earlier, a game that featured goals from Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp, Laura Coombs, Hayley Raso and Vicky Losada.
It was a third successive league victory for the upwardly mobile Citizens, following triumphs over Aston Villa and Birmingham City, and sees Man City rise to fifth in the standings as one of two sides on 16 points from 10 matches.
In the dugout
Taking over from Nick Cushing in May 2020, manager Gareth Taylor won his first trophy as manager six months later, lifting the FA Cup after a 3-1 victory over Everton in the final at Wembley Stadium. The Citizens narrowly missed out on the WSL title last season, though, finishing two points behind Chelsea.
Representing the likes of Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Wrexham and Manchester City during his playing career, the former Wales international boasts 575 appearances and 142 goals throughout his domestic career. Taylor’s coaching career at Man City began in 2011 and he became academy manager five year later.
Ones to watch
Netting in each of her last three WSL appearances, Georgia Stanway is one of England’s most promising and versatile young players. With 26 Lionesses caps to her name, the talented 23-year-old also represented Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics. The former Blackburn Rovers youngster won the 2019 PFA Young Player of the Year Award.
City were boosted by the return of full-back Lucy Bronze last weekend as the 2020 FIFA Best Women's Player of the Year started and came through 69 minutes, featuring for the first time this season after undergoing knee surgery. Fellow England international and City captain Steph Houghton also made a long awaited recovery from an ankle injury, introduced for the final 20 minutes against Brighton.
Scotland international Caroline Weir, who brought up a century of Man City appearances earlier this campaign, has four goals across all competitions in 2021/22. Unavailable for the win over Brighton, after netting City's winner against Birmingham in her last appearance, the Citizens will be hoping they can recall the midfielder on Wednesday.
Last time out
The teams met in the Women’s Super League last month, with the Citizens coming out on top by four goals to one at King Power Stadium. Jess Sigsworth had given the Foxes an early lead but strikes from Caroline Weir, Keira Walsh, Lauren Hemp and Laura Coombs handed the Manchester side victory.
Ticket news
Match tickets will be available to buy at the Pirelli Stadium Ticket Office from 5:30pm on Wednesday, priced at £7 for adults, £3.50 for seniors (65+) and £3 for under-18s, while under-8s go free. Please note that Fox Travel is no longer available to purchase for this fixture.
Limited pay-on-the-day car parking, meanwhile, is priced at £5 per space.