Birmingham Women Clash Up Next On Filbert Way
Lydia Bedford’s first home game as LCFC Women manager sees the Foxes welcome Darren Carter’s Blues to Filbert Way as the bottom two sides in the WSL go head-to-head for the first time in 2021/22.
A Leicester win would see them leapfrog Birmingham in the top-flight standings and, ahead of the game, here's a look at all the key information you need to know…
The Foxes camp
Lydia Bedford’s debut in charge of the Foxes ended in a 4-0 reverse at Arsenal on Sunday and City will be without Jemma Purfield for the visit of Man City following her red card at Meadow Park, while Abbie McManus, who missed the Gunners defeat due to injury, is a doubt for the weekend fixture.
Meanwhile, Leicester's scheduled midweek fixture against Manchester City in the Continental Tyres League Cup was postponed due to a number of COVID-19 cases in the visitors’ squad.
In the dugout
Former Birmingham City midfielder Darren Carter took the reins as interim head coach in November, following the departure of Scott Booth less than five months after his arrival. After retiring from playing at Solihull Moors earlier this year, the 37-year-old managed their youth academy and worked as a development coach, before becoming first team coach at West Bromwich Albion Women in the third tier.
The opposition
Birmingham City picked up their only point of the campaign against West Ham United in October, drawing 1-1 at Chigwell Construction Stadium courtesy of Louise Quinn’s leveller.
The Blues came close a first win under their new manager at the weekend, taking a 2-1 lead at home to Manchester City thanks to goals from Quinn and Christie Murray’s penalty, but the Citizens came from behind to claim a 3-2 victory.
Ones to watch
Former Leicester City forward Libby Smith signed for the Blues in the summer and has featured in seven of nine league fixtures so far this term. Coming through the ranks at LCFC Women’s Academy from the age of seven to 15, the 20-year-old then enjoyed a spell at Chelsea’s Academy before returning to the Foxes and spending two seasons in the first team. Although primarily a striker, the former England youth international can also be deployed as a full-back.
Birmingham are able to call upon several experienced figures this season, including captain Louise Quinn. The Republic of Ireland international spent last season in Italy with Fiorentina, after three years at Arsenal, winning the WSL and the League Cup during her time with the Gunners. The 31-year-old has played every minute of the Blues’ league campaign to date, scoring twice.
Last time out
The sides clashed in the Continental Tyres League Cup group stage last season, with Leicester, then a FA Women’s Championship team, winning on penalties at Damson Park following a 0-0 draw in normal time, to qualify for the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in the Club’s history.
Ticket news
Match tickets for the fixture on Filbert Way remain on general sale online, HERE, priced at £7 for over-18s, £3.50 for seniors (65+) and £3 for under-18s, while under-8s go free.
Parking at King Power Stadium must also be pre-booked, with spaces priced at £5 per car. Parking is available in Car Park C along with accessible spaces in the short stay car park. It will go off sale at 12pm on Saturday 18 December. More details and how to book are HERE.
All times GMT.