The Lady Pies are bidding for a return to form against City after falling to successive defeats to Arsenal and Bristol Academy in The FA Women’s Super League 1 with BT Sport.
In contrast, City are well-placed for an assault on the title – three points behind Chelsea with a game in hand – and can boast arguably the league’s most in-form striker.
Notts County v Manchester City
The FA WSL 1 with BT Sport
2pm, Sunday 23 August 2015
Meadow Lane
By Chris Bailey
Since touching back down in England after the World Cup, Duggan has fired seven goals in seven games – but Telford believes County have the ability to prove a thorn in her and City’s side.
"We’ve fallen a bit behind in the league but we’ve still got a role to play," she said.
"We did that last season where we spoilt the party for Chelsea and Birmingham in the last few weeks when we were fighting for our lives at the bottom and fortunately stayed up.
"Man City are going to be a massive challenge with a team full of stars who are also full of confidence.
"They want to prove a lot of people wrong who were writing them off at the start of the season and they’re doing just that.
"Toni Duggan is also flying high and scoring some great goals so I told her to get them out of the way before we play them!
"But we’re looking forward to the challenge and will focus on ourselves and if we can pick up the points then maybe we can put ourselves right back in amongst it."
Should City win again on Sunday, it will take their tally to eight consecutive victories in all competitions and they have not dropped a point in FA WSL 1 since a home draw with Chelsea in May.
But Scotland international Jennifer Beattie says her side cannot dare to dream about a maiden title just yet.
"We have been in really good form since the World Cup," said the defender. "We have got almost everyone in the squad fighting fit and full of confidence.
"Notts County have done really well. Getting to The SSE Women’s FA Cup Final was a massive achievement and they have strength in depth.
"We are very confident, but we certainly don’t have the mentality that we just need to turn up to win. Our preparation is always strong because we want to keep the momentum going.
"I don’t think a defeat here rules out Notts County for the title. I don’t think you can rule anyone out at the moment."
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