LEICESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Emile Heskey, Leicester City ambassador walks off the pitch after carrying the trophy into the presentation during the Barclays FA Women's Championship match between Leicester City and Charlton Athletic at The King Power Stadium on May 02, 2021 in Leicester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Naomi Baker - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
This Saturday, LCFC Women will host Birmingham City at Pirelli Stadium for an Adobe Women’s FA Cup fifth round clash.
Lena Petermann, Janice Cayman, and Deanne Rose all scored goals when Leicester defeated Derby County 4-0 at Don Amott Arena last month to secure a spot in the match on Saturday.
As we anticipate the competition’s fifth round match, here’s a thorough examination of both teams.
After losing to Manchester City 2-0 in the Barclays Women’s Super League, City enters the weekend on a bad note. Lauren Hemp gave the hosts the lead at Joie Stadium after 82 minutes, and Chloe Kelly doubled their lead shortly after.
If Leicester defeats Birmingham in Burton on Saturday, they will have a chance to advance to the competition’s quarterfinals for the first time since 2020. Birmingham plays in the Barclays Women’s Championship.
fresh hires While Emilia Pelgander and Asmita Ale will be vying for playing time, Saori Takarada and Yuka Momiki are still making an impression. The former was brought on late for her City debut last weekend.
After a promising start to the 2023/24 season, Birmingham currently sit fifth in the Championship with 26 points; winning eight of their 14 games, however only remain four points behind leaders Charlton Athletic with a game in hand.
The Blues have only lost once in their last six outings, coming last weekend on the road to Watford, as a brace from Michelle Agyemang confirmed defeat.
Birmingham beat Burnley in the fourth round away from home. Former Fox Libby Smith opened the scoring before a late equalising penalty from Millie Ravening sent the game to extra-time. Claudia Walker and Jade Ellis then netted the decisive goals at Lancashire FA County Ground.
Darren Carter will be in the away dugout this weekend, having signed a two-year deal with Birmingham as head coach in May 2022 as they aim for promotion back to the top-flight.
The former centre midfielder came through the ranks at Birmingham at the start of the millennium and won the 2002 Football League First Division Play-Off Final, beating Norwich City in 2002.
In their two prior meetings, which took place in the 2021–2022 WSL season, the Foxes defeated the Blues twice. Firstly, in December at King Power Stadium, when goals from Sam Tierney and Sophie Howard gave City three points.
That was followed in April by a 2-1 victory at St. Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium; Leicester’s lead was doubled by Jemma Purfield after a penalty kick by Jess Sigsworth at the half-hour mark. The 85th-minute goal by Louise Quinn was hardly a consolation.
