FA Cup preview: Morgan dilemma for Spurs ahead of north London derby
Arsenal v Tottenham, Saturday 26 September (1715)
Tottenham will make a late decision on whether to risk new star signing Alex Morgan in their Vitality Women's FA Cup against north London rivals Arsenal.
The American World Cup winner gave birth to a daughter in May and signed a short-term deal at Tottenham earlier this month. Although she has been training with her new teammates having successfully applied for a quarantine exemption, head coach Juan Amoros has to make a call on her fitness.
Arsenal are expected to rest striker Jill Roord, who scored back-to-back hat-tricks in the first two rounds of the new Women's Super League season, after she picked up a knock to her knee whilst on international duty with the Netherlands.
Leicester City v Manchester City, Sunday 27 September (1400)
Leicester hope new club ambassador Emile Heskey can help inspire the lowest-ranked side in the competition beat 2019 winners Manchester City. The Foxes recently announced they were turning fully professional and have major ambitions to climb out of the Women's Championship and join the likes of City, Chelsea and Arsenal amongst the elite of women's football in England.
Keeper Kirstie Levell was welcomed Heskey's involvement with the squad. "That shows exactly the direction we are going in," she said. "He's great to have around. He's someone you can go and talk to and he's not just a face, he's a mentor.
"We played an eight-versus-eight game and he was my defender - he hasn't lost it!"
Man City are expected to be at full strength, with USA stars Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis getting their first taste of FA Cup football.
Everton v Chelsea, Sunday 27 September (1300)
Despite the game going ahead at Goodison Park, Everton coach Willie Kirk is sad supporters will not be allowed in to see their last-eight tie against Chelsea. "It’s a shame we can’t have our fans at the game, but that is life now. The next best thing is having the game going ahead at Goodison and putting on a performance.
"We know our fans will be supporting us from the comfort of their homes and we want to put on a performance that they’re proud of and give them a semi-final to look forward to."
Chelsea may be the reigning Women's Super League champions but Everton have enjoyed a superb start to the season, with two wins out of two so far. Kirk added: "Hopefully, after Sunday, people will really sit up and take notice of this Everton team and what we could achieve this year."
Brighton & Hove Albion v Birmingham City, Sunday 27 September (1400)
Brighton have impressed during an unbeaten start to the season, beating Birmingham before holding star-studded Manchester City to a draw. Those performances have earned head coach Hope Powell a Manager of The Month nomination.
Blues boss Carla Ward believes the league defeat to Brighton will act as a catalyst for her players. “Time is a massive healer, even just having those few weeks we look in far better shape and condition.
“The league game isn’t in our minds; this is all about getting to the semi-final. I think if we apply our game plan then we have every chance of making it through.”
