Opposition watch (WFA Cup) | Leicester City
We are back in action on Sunday afternoon after the international break and it’s the Adobe Women’s FA Cup semi-final against Leicester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (12pm UK).
Here’s a closer look at the Foxes…
Form
Similar to us, it will be the Foxes first appearance in the last four of the FA Cup after previously beating Liverpool in the quarter-final with a 2-0 victory at Prenton Park. Despite failing to find the back of the net in our meeting at Brisbane Road last month in the Barclays Women’s Super League, where we ran out 1-0 winners after Matilda Vinberg’s first goal for the Club, the Foxes have been in excellent goalscoring form in recent weeks, netting two or more goals in three of their last four games, but it has resulted in only one victory. They picked up a point last time out in the WSL after a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and saw them surpass their points tally from last season, having played four games less.
Players to watch
Finland international Jutta Rantala has played an important part in the Foxes’ FA Cup journey so far as her brace against Liverpool secured their spot in the semi-final and is the club’s leading goalscorer this season with nine goals in all competitions. Janice Cayman brought a wealth of experience, having had spells in America and France, when making the move to the King Power Stadium and has enjoyed a fantastic first season in England, scoring seven goals in all competitions.
CJ Bott put in a strong defensive performance when we met the Foxes last month, winning 75% of her ground duels and 100% of her aerial duels, and will be part of a backline consisting of experienced Scottish defender Sophie Howard and former Spur Josie Green. The Welsh international spent six years at the Club and captained the side in our second season in the WSL.
FA Cup story so far
The Foxes began their journey in the competition in the fourth round and a trip to face FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division side Derby County. Lena Petermann handed the visitors the lead before Cayman, Yuka Momiki and an own-goal from Charlotte Steggles secured a 4-0 win. In the next round, they welcomed FA Women’s Championship side Birmingham City to the Pirelli Stadium and ran out comfortable 6-2 winners, with Shannon O’Brien netting a brace. It was then a trip to Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park to face Liverpool in the quarter-final and in-form goalscorer Rantala scored in each half to book the Foxes place in the last four for the first time in their team’s history.
Last time out
We don’t need to look too far back since our last meeting with Leicester, only four weeks to be precise, as Vinberg netted her first goal for the Club inside the opening two minutes to secure a 1-0 victory at Brisbane Road in a Barclays Women’s Super League fixture. It was a lovely, flowing move from back to front, Becky Spencer played a low-driven pass into Celin Bizet, she picked out Drew Spence who then slide the ball into the path of Jess Naz and her cross was converted by the Sweden international.
How to follow
Sunday's match will be broadcast live on BBC. You can follow the game on our women's social channels - Instagram and X - and minute-by-minute text coverage via our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com. Match highlights and reaction will also be available via SPURSPLAY and tottenhamhotspur.com.