Blackburn Trip Previewed Ahead Of Cup Opener
With focus for now away from the Barclays Women's Super League, Sunday's group stage opener sees the Foxes travel to The Sir Tom Finney Stadium for a 2pm BST kick-off.
Ahead of the game in Bamber Bridge, here's a look all you need to know...
The format explained
Both sides were drawn in a five-team pool, with the team finishing top automatically progressing into the quarter-finals and second place also in with a shout of qualifying as one of the best-placed runners-up.
In Group B they are joined by Liverpool, Manchester City and Sunderland, with each team to play each other once.
Should any group game finish in a draw after 90 minutes, both teams will earn one point and there will be a penalty shootout to claim an extra bonus point.
The Foxes camp
A late 1-0 reverse at Everton on Thursday evening was City's third defeat from three in the WSL, but they could count themselves unfortunate to come away from Walton Hall Park with nothing to show for their efforts.
Natasha Flint will face her former side if selected to play on Sunday, and has six goals in her last three fixtures versus Rovers, but having come on as a substitute against the Toffees, limped off injured in stoppage time and could be a doubt for the clash.
Talking points
Foxes manager Lydia Bedford revealed she may use the game to switch up the team: “We’ve got a few that weren’t able to feature (against Everton), so it’ll be really important for us going into Sunday that we can freshen the group up and give opportunities to different players.”
Midfielder Josie Green told LCFC TV: “Points on the board for us are really important but it starts with winning games as soon as you step onto the pitch. Sunday is going to be important for us. We can showcase what we’re about again and we can really start our season with that win.”
The opposition
Now entering a fourth season in the Barclays Women's Championship, Blackburn Rovers placed 7th, 9th and 10th in their previous three campaigns at that level.
Currently sitting 10th this term, the Lancashire side beat Sheffield United 1-0 at Ewood Park on the opening day before successive defeats to Bristol City, Durham and Crystal Palace.
Experienced forward Saffron Jordan has scored all three of Rovers' goals so far in 2022/23.
In the dugout
Rovers manager Gemma Donnelly is one of the longest serving coaches in women's football, having taken charge of the Blues in 2014 and subsequently presided over their ascent to the second tier, winning the quadruple in 2018/19.
Now joined by head coach Matt Bee, formerly manager at Burnley Women, the pair are aiming to improve on last season's position.
Last time out
It was a five-goal thriller the last time these two teams met at The Sir Tom Finney Stadium in December 2020. Two goals from Natasha Flint and Kayleigh McDonald's own goal eventually secured a 3-2 victory for the visiting Foxes, with Georgia Walters' brace not enough for the hosts. It ensured Leicester were top of the table at Christmas, on the way to promotion into the top flight.
The pair also faced off in the League Cup group stage a month before the aforementioned league clash, with a 5-2 home victory seeing City progress into the knockout stages.
Ticket and coverage info
For details on how to be at Saturday's game, or to follow from home, click HERE.