Merricks: “We totally appreciate the game is going to be tough, but certainly we've already experienced two tough away games in Chelsea and Man City; that'll hold us in really good stead. For me, it's about the way that we competed in those games, which was fantastic for us, and so early on in our time in the WSL. 

“I'm really looking forward to it, because I think we've had a fantastic platform to build on. I think with experience you grow and you learn, and I can see us adjusting week-by-week. It's a fantastic place to go as well, and it's a great opportunity for us to keep building on the platform and try to push and get as many points as we can."

TEAM NEWS

We'll be without Mariona Caldentey for an extended period after the Spain international suffered a hamstring injury against Manchester City before the international window, while Germany forward Selina Cerci is also set for a spell on the sidelines after underdoing a procedure on her knee. 

"Mariona went off against City, didn't go away with Spain, hamstring injury, so she will be out for a while." Renee Slegers reported at her pre-match press conference. 

"Selina Cerci had surgery on her knee, she had been struggling and it got worse, so we had to intervene unfortunately. So she's out as well for a while." 

Our head coach also confirmed we'll be without Chloe Kelly, while Daphne van Domselaar and Katie Reid continue to build towards match fitness. 

FACTS AND STATS

This will be the first WSL campaign that ourselves and Birmingham have met in since 2021/22, with both of us winning our home fixture that season (2-0 Birmingham, 4-2 Arsenal).

Birmingham have lost each of their last six WSL away games against us, despite scoring twice in three of those defeats. Their last point came in a 0-0 draw in May 2016.

We are unbeaten in each of our last 30 WSL games against newly promoted opposition (W26 D4), since a 1-0 loss at home to Manchester City in May 2014.

Lisa Baum has scored twice in the league so far this season – the only teenagers to net more than two goals in a single WSL campaign for us are Jordan Nobbs in 2012 (5) and Danielle Carter in 2011 (3).

Caitlin Foord has scored in all three of her WSL appearances against Birmingham (4 goals), while Vivianne Miedema (37 mins vs Bristol City) is the only player to boast a better minutes-per-goal rate for us against a side in the competition than the Australian’s 41 minutes vs the Blues (min. 3 goals).

MATCH OFFICIALS

Stephen Parkinson has been appointed to take charge of Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

He has primarily refereed men’s football this season, overseeing nine games across League One, League Two, the National League, the EFL Trophy and the Carabao Cup.

Referee: Stephen Parkinson

Assistant Referees:

HOW TO WATCH

Supporters in the UK who aren’t attending the game can watch this match live on Sky Sports. 

Otherwise, check out our how to watch article for the full list of broadcasters around the world.