Inside track on Leicester | Zoe Mcgrady

King Power Stadium is calling as we travel to Leicester City on Sunday afternoon (2pm UK) in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

The Foxes have been rejuvenated during the second half of the campaign, winning nine of their 15 points since the turn of year, while we’re looking to return to winning ways in the WSL ahead of the April international break.

As we make the trip to Leicester this weekend, we caught with Zoe McGrady once again to see how Leicester City have performed since the turn of the year…

Since our meeting in January, how has Leicester City’s form fared in recent months?

Zoe: “Well, this feels like a bad time for any team to face Leicester City at home. Since they faced Spurs in January, they have gone on to pick up three wins, with all the wins coming on home turf. They secured three back-to-back home wins for the first time in their WSL history last time out, so they will absolutely be riding the momentum of that and the big win against a good Brighton side. They have recently got a few attacking players back such as Shannon O'Brien and Hannah Cain who have had a huge impact going forward for the Foxes. 

“They have struggled on the road though, with Amandine Miquel yet to pick up on a win away from home yet this season. The injury to Ruby Mace will also no doubt impact them having been such a big player for them this season, however, this is a team that are more than used to having to adapt without players now.”

Who have been the standout players this campaign?

Zoe: “The standout players in recent games, in terms of going forward, has to be Shannon O'Brien. She plays the number nine that Leicester have desperately needed this season, she has got herself on the scoresheet twice already including last time out against Brighton, so she will certainly be a threat as she looks for her third goal this season.

“Hannah Cain as well, two assists in the last game and a big part of the build-up play in this side. Amandine Miquel played Saori Takarada in the number 10 last weekend rather than Yuka Momiki, I am told they are managing her minutes. Momiki offers a different type of threat and someone you always want to see in this Leicester City side so it will be interesting to see what Miquel goes for this weekend.”

Following our meeting at Brisbane Road, what can you expect in the contest heading into this weekend?

Zoe: “I think you can expect a confident attacking side this weekend from Leicester. Which is pretty much the opposite of what we saw back in January. The win against Brighton means momentum is in Leicester's favour and, with the recent performances at home having been so strong, they will know they are more than capable of beating an out of form Spurs side. The chance for Leicester to go above Spurs in the WSL table as well means I think this game will have an extra edge to it.”

With just a few games remaining in the campaign, what will Leicester’s aim be for the rest of the season?

Zoe: “The aim for Leicester this season has always been to avoid relegation. They have a nightmare of a season in terms of injuries and setbacks so to stay in the league despite all of that is an achievement. The recent wins do mean they have got the chance to actually finish higher than last season 10^th place finish, if that was to happen, I think that would be huge considering the circumstances and a testament to Miquel's management. But I am assured that all focus is on picking up as many points as possible and staying in the WSL."

Watch | Highlights from our last meeting with the Foxes