Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Women’s Super League match between Liverpool Women and Manchester City Women, providing predictions, team news, and possible lineups.
Manchester City Women aim for a fifth consecutive victory when they visit Anfield for the clash with Liverpool Women. Currently sitting atop the Women’s Super League table, City will face a Liverpool side in fifth place.
Match Preview
Liverpool Women have yet to lose a WSL game this season, recording one win and two draws from three league matches. However, the Reds may feel frustrated after drawing 1-1 with both Leicester City and West Ham United, despite taking the lead in each match. Following a 2-0 loss to Manchester United in the Women’s League Cup, Liverpool found their first competitive win of the season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, where Marie Hobinger netted a last-minute penalty.
Liverpool has shown resilience, winning five and drawing two of their last seven WSL games. However, they are wary of a 4-1 loss to Man City during their last league encounter in March.
Manchester City enters the match in high spirits, having won five of their six competitive fixtures this season. The Citizens achieved two qualifying victories against Paris FC and drew 2-2 with Arsenal in the WSL. Following that, they secured wins against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United, culminating in a remarkable 2-0 win over reigning European champions Barcelona. After four consecutive home games, City looks to extend their unbeaten away league run to nine matches, having won eight of their last nine.
Team News
Liverpool midfielder Sofie Lundgaard faces a lengthy recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained against Tottenham. The Reds may also miss Teagan Micah, Grace Fisk, Faye Kirby, and Ceri Holland due to injuries. Sophie Roman Haug and Olivia Smith, each with one goal this season, will lead the attack against City.
Meanwhile, Manchester City is still without goalkeeper Sandy MacIver and Risa Shimizu, both sidelined with ACL injuries. Naomi Layzell will need assessment after limping off in the Champions League match against Barcelona. Head coach Gareth Taylor may rotate his squad, with players like Leila Ouahabi, Jill Roord, and Chloe Kelly ready to feature.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool Women: Laws; Evans, Bonner, Matthews; Parry, Hobinger, Nagano, Kapocs, Hinds; Smith, Haug.
Manchester City Women: Yamashita; Casparij, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Ouahabi; Park, Hasegawa, Roord; Kelly, Hemp, Shaw.
Liverpool possesses the talent to challenge City, but the visitors typically excel on the road, making them favorites to secure their ninth win in ten WSL away matches.
