Stacy Boit,

NineWomen’s Super League defeats in a row, just 10 goals scored all season – the writing has been on the wall for Leicester City women for some time.

The 7-0 thumping at Arsenal on Wednesday confirmed, with two games left to play, Rick Passmoor’s side will finish bottom.

Coming just over a week since the ignominious relegation of the men’s team to League One, it is another blemish on a club that seems to be unravelling.

And yet this season, the women’s side have a one-off opportunity for redemption. Instead of immediate demotion to the second tier, they face a play-off on Saturday, 23 May at the home of whoever finishes third in the Women’s Super League 2.

That is because the WSL is expanding from 12 to 14 teams before the 2026-27 season.

For Passmoor and his squad, the mission is simple. Win and stay up.

The alternative does not bear thinking about.

“A double relegation would be a complete PR disaster,” says BBC Radio Leicester reporter Zoe McGrady.