Manchester City have looked imperious in their quest to retain the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup this term, and Jen Beattie says there is a genuine belief they can do so.
City’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Continental Tyres Cup final in October 2014 brought with it the club’s first ever piece of silverware.
So far this term they have won all three of their games in Group Two and another win, away to Everton on Thursday, would all-but guarantee their place in the quarter-finals.
Everton Ladies v Man City Ladies
FA WSL Continental Cup
7.30pm, Thursday 27 August
Select Security Stadium
Click here for tickets
Beattie was playing for Montpellier last season while most of her current team-mates were toasting success at Adams Park
But the 24-year-old defender sees no reason why she will not be celebrating this time round.
“All of the girls are desperate to play and we have had a good run in the cup so far,” said the Scotland international.
“Winning it last year was an unbelievable experience for the girls, so we want to do it again.
“It will be up to us to do a professional job and take our chances when they come along though.
“Everton have always been a strong club, even when I was at Arsenal, so they will give us a game.
“They will have been disappointed to be relegated and will feel they have a massive point to prove. In cup games we know anything can happen.”
By contrast, Everton’s hopes of making the knockout stages are all but over after losing their opening three games in the competition.
Manchester City Ladies with the trophy in October 2014
The Toffees began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Merseyside rivals Liverpool before falling to losses against Sunderland and Doncaster Rovers Belles.
Nonetheless, England Under-23s international Paige Williams insists there is plenty to play for at the Select Security Stadium.
“Man City is going to be a real test for us and we’ll have to rely on the whole squad for that,” said the versatile defender.
“They’re definitely one of the best sides in the country at the moment, especially with Toni Duggan in form.
“But we want to be back in WSL 1 soon and have got to compete with teams like Man City so what better time to start showing that we can than now?
“Even though our main goal for the season is getting promotion from FA WSL 2, we’re gutted not to have done as well in the Continental Tyres Cup.”
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