Match Preview: Crystal Palace Women vs. LCFC Women
- LCFC Women's Continental Tyres League Cup journey continues with a quarter-final tie against Crystal Palace
- The fixture will be played behind closed doors at Hayes Lane on Thursday night (8pm kick-off)
- City have reached this stage of the competition for the very first time after finishing top of Group E
- Live coverage is available on The FA Player, while LCFC Women's social channels will also provide regular updates
The Foxes travel to meet Palace at Hayes Lane on Thursday evening (8pm kick-off), for a cup clash that pits two FA Women's Championship sides together.
Vying for a place in the last four, LCFC.com looks at how the teams match-up, including the Eagles' squad, recent form and the key talking points.
The Foxes camp
Reaching this stage of the competition via a penalty shootout victory over Birmingham City and a 5-2 triumph against Blackburn Rovers, City topped the group to advance into the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, in the league, the team's winning run now stretches to six games following Sunday's 2-1 triumph over promotion-rivals Sheffield United. Natasha Flint scored the winner 13 minutes from time after Ashleigh Plumptre's opener - her first goal for the Club - was cancelled out by Katie Wilkinson's free-kick.
The result maintains City's position at the top of the standings and they now hold a three-point lead over Durham, who drew 1-1 with Lewes last time out. Next up, the Foxes visit Prenton Park to face Liverpool on Sunday 17 January, (2pm kick-off).
Ones to watch
Previously of Arsenal, QPR and, mostly recently Tottenham Hotspur, forward Bianca Baptiste has plenty of top-flight experience to her name. After netting 10 goals in 11 games (eight starts) in all competitions, she leads Palace's scoring charts by some distance and is fourth top scorer in the FA Women's Championship (6).
Goalkeeper Chloe Morgan arrived at Hayes Lane from Women's Super League side Tottenham in August 2020 following the expiration of her contract with the Women's Super League side and has added a wealth of experience to the Palace ranks. The shot-stopper has kept a clean sheet in each of her last two appearances either side of the Christmas break.
Another coup for the Eagles was the summer signing of midfielder Coral Jade Haines, also from Spurs, after three years with the north London club. A former England Under-23 international who has played in the Women's Champions League for Birmingham City, Haines has scored three goals so far this term - all coming in fixtures against London Bees.
Talking points
Manager Jonathan Morgan said: "We've got Crystal Palace on Thursday in the quarter-finals of the League Cup, then Liverpool next week in the league and obviously our aim is to win all the games. That doesn't necessarily mean it is going to happen.
"But I think starting off a big week with three points is a big, big positive, and I think it gives our girls all the potential now to show the best version of themselves and the positivity can keep growing within the camp."
Opposition form guide
Picking up four points from a possible six, Dean Davenport's side are currently on an upward trajectory, moving to eighth in the league table after Sunday's goalless draw away at London City Lionesses.
That result, earned despite playing the final 30 minutes with 10 players after Amber Stobbs' red card, backed up a 2-0 victory against Lewes in late December when top scorer Bianca Baptiste netted twice in the away win.
Palace also got the better of Lewes in the League Cup, winning 2-1 at The Dripping Pan, which, combined with a 6-1 thrashing of London Bees, sealed their progression from the group stage. The Eagles finished second in Group F behind Bristol City, who defeated them 4-2.
Last time out
Despite taking the lead via Cherelle Khassal's early strike, the south London side were beaten 4-1 the last time Leicester visited Hayes Lane. A quick-fire double from Remi Allen and Natasha Flint put the visitors in front before the break, before Lachante Paul and Allen's second of the afternoon wrapped up the three points.
How to follow
The FA Player will house live and free coverage of the fixture, while supporters can also stay updated via live updates on LCFC Women's official Twitter page, as well as plenty of matchday content on Facebook and Instagram. Post-match reaction from the Foxes camp will be available after full-time, including match highlights and interviews on LCFC TV.
All times GMT.