Leicester vs Man Utd - WSL preview: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
WSL leaders Manchester United travel to point-less Leicester this weekend looking to build on impressive early season momentum that has seen Marc Skinner's side win three games on the bounce, scoring 10 and not yet conceding.
A struggling Leicester have lost all four games they have played so far, with close defeats to Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton followed by a much more one-sided 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City last weekend.
Both meetings between these clubs in the WSL last season ended in United wins, although Leicester did at least cause problems during a Continental Cup tie in December, even claiming a bonus point after a 2-2 draw by winning a penalty shootout.
How to watch Leicester vs Man Utd on TV/live stream
When is kick off? Sunday 23 October, 15:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? King Power Stadium
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Referee? Neil Hair
Leicester team news
On-loan Carrie Jones has started all four of Leicester's WSL games this season but is ineligible to play against her parent club. Long-term absentee Jess Sigsworth is also denied a reunion with her former team because of ongoing ACL rehab.
Hannah Cain has been making progress in her ACL rehab, although remains a 'way off' returning to full contact training at this time. Goalkeeper Demi Lambourne is close to a return to the squad and will be the subject of a late assessment, which means Kirstie Levell is likely to still start.
Lydia Bedford may be tempted to revert to a back three after losing even more heavily against Manchester City last time out with a back four.
Leicester predicted lineup vs Man Utd
Leicester (3-5-2): Levell; Howard, Tierney, Plumptre; Simon, Whelan, Green, Pike, Purfield; Flint, O'Brien
Man Utd team news
Alessia Russo is still missing from this one, on course to return to the pitch in early November.
Ona Batlle is a doubt following a concussion in the closing stages of last week's win over Brighton and may not be risked against Leicester, which could lead to a reshuffle. Hannah Blundell is also a doubt after being subbed off as a precaution against the Seagulls but was starting to train again by Wednesday.
Summer signing Grace Clinton remains unavailable but is at least training on grass. Aoife Mannion, meanwhile, remains a long-term absentee and is set to be back on the pitch in January.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Leicester
Man Utd (4-3-3): Earps; Le Tissier, Tounkara, Turner, Blundell; Zelem, Ladd, Toone; Garcia, Parris, Galton
Leicester vs Man Utd score prediction
Manchester United are heavy favourites for this one given the contrasting way in which both clubs have started the 2022/23 season and they showed last time out against Brighton that they can still score goals without Alessia Russo.
Even though United have won only one of their last four WSL away games, that victory was this season when they faced West Ham and showed improvement from the same fixture in 2021/22. Leicester have also been poor at home, taking only one point from their last 11 home games.
The Foxes, whose only goal in their last nine WSL games was an own goal at the start of this season, have really struggled to pass the ball so far this season - the joint worst in the league when it comes to stringing together 10+ pass moves. That will severely limit ways in which they can hurt a United side that has obvious and very dangerous quality in attacking areas.
Leicester's best chance of an upset is if a forced defensive reshuffle upsets United's rhythm, but even that may well be just clutching at straws.
Prediction: Leicester 0-3 Man Utd