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NederlandBoth Manchester City Women and Tottenham Hotspur Ladies are aiming to make it two wins out of two at the beginning of this new Women's Super League season, and they meet at the Academy Stadium in Manchester on Sunday.
Gareth Taylor's side need to continue their good start domestically, but will be looking to bounce back from disappointment in the Champions League this week, while Spurs have a tough test ahead to take any points home with them from one of the title contenders.
Match preview
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There were a few concerns ahead of Man City's opening day clash with Everton, as they were missing key players such as Lucy Bronze and Ellie Roebuck through injury, but there was no problem for the Citizens, who eased through at Goodison Park.
Vicky Losada netted her first goal for the club after 26 minutes, prompting the visitors into a flurry of goals, which then came from Janine Beckie and Khadija Shaw, heading into half time with a 3-0 lead.
Captain Steph Houghton finished the job in the second half with a strong strike from a free kick, placing Man City top of the WSL on goal difference after gameweek one.
Taylor's side welcomed Real Madrid to Manchester on Wednesday in the second leg of their final qualifier for the Champions League group stages, with the tie all square at 1-1 after the first leg.
However, the night ended in disappointment for Man City, who had no reply to Claudia Zornoza's 44th-minute strike which sent the Spanish outfit into the main stages of the European club competition.
The Man City boss admitted that he thinks the WSL is a strong enough division for the top two teams to qualify automatically, but his side now need to pick themselves up and focus on league action in the hunt to claim the title in May.
Tottenham began their campaign well last weekend with victory at home against Birmingham City, courtesy of a 40th-minute strike from Kit Graham, in a game which Spurs dominated.
Rehanne Skinner's side claimed 67% possession throughout the game and created 17 chances on Emily Ramsey's goal, and the manager was pleased with the three points but also that it was their first win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which they hope will be the first of many this season.
The only aspect Spurs will have wanted to improve on from that game against Birmingham is the fact that they should have scored more goals with the chances that they created - however, three points to start the season was the most important thing.
Manchester City will be looking to emulate their results against Spurs from last season, when Taylor's side won the first meeting 4-1 and came away with a 3-0 victory when they travelled to North London in April.
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Team News
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Bronze, Roebuck, and Keira Walsh continue to be absent for Man City as they recover from injuries, but Ellen White did make her return to the side from the bench on Wednesday evening.
Taylor only made one change from the side which beat Everton to the team that started against Real Madrid, with Lauren Hemp coming into the team in place of Beckie.
After a positive performance and result against Everton, Taylor could name the same lineup as the side which started last weekend, with Shaw keeping her place leading the line for the home team.
Four Spurs signings were handed their full debut last weekend, including Tinja-Riikka Korpela, Asmita Ale, Molly Bartrip and Maeva Clemaron, while Jiali Tang and Chioma Ubogagu made their debuts from the bench.
If Skinner opts for the same team to play against Man City, Ria Percival will lead the line with Jessica Naz and Graham alongside her in the attacking half of the pitch.
Spurs will line up in a 3-4-3 formation, with the backline consisting of Shelina Zadorsky, Bartrip and Ale, with Ashleigh Neville and Rachel Williams operating as wing-backs.
Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:
Benameur; Stokes, Greenwood, Houghton, Morgan; Weir, Losada, Coombs; Beckie, Shaw, Raso
Tottenham Hotspur Ladies possible starting lineup:
Korpela; Zadorsky, Bartrip, Ale; Neville, Green, Clemaron, Williams; Naz, Percival, Graham
We say: Manchester City Women 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur Ladies
Manchester City will be desperate to put Wednesday's disappointment behind them and Taylor will be pleased that they have a game so soon after that defeat, to try and lift spirits in the City camp.
After putting four past Everton, Tottenham will be wary of Man City's attacking threat but, with the quality of the home side's team, there may be little the Spurs defence can do to stop them.
