Houghton is a centre-back for Manchester City Women and bases her game on Vincent Kompany, her counterpart in City's men's team.
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“It is important to try to model yourself on someone and Kompany is definitely the centre-half I want to play like, When I was growing up, my favourite players were David Beckham and Steven Gerrard because of their technique when they passed the ball," she told BBC Sport.
"I loved the way they played the game and seemed to see a different picture to other players. Now I really enjoy watching Kompany because that is the position I play in. We try to play the same way as the men and I think it is important to try to model yourself on someone - Kompany is definitely the centre-half I want to play like."
Just like the club's men's team, City Women have started collecting silverware, with Houghton helping them beat her former club Arsenal to win the Continental Cup in October and clinch their first major trophy.
"I go and watch pretty much every City home game. It's the same at every club I've been at," Houghton added. "We are both winning trophies at the moment, which is great for the club."
Sunderland v Man City
"Aguero could probably play centre-back instead of Kompany and still be City's best player"
Sunderland will probably try to do to Manchester City what they did to Chelsea at the weekend, when they defended brilliantly to earn a 0-0 draw.
Gus Poyet's side have got previous in this fixture - they have won it 1-0 in the last four seasons - but the Black Cats will not win 1-0 this time.
City swatted Southampton aside at the weekend and, even if Vincent Kompany misses out, I think they will have enough about them to take the three points.
The way Sergio Aguero is playing up front at the moment, he could probably play centre-back instead of Kompany and still be City's best player.
Lawro's prediction: 0-2
Steph's prediction: Man City do not tend to do well at Sunderland but I can see them picking up a point this time. 1-1
No faith Steph, you have NOOOO FAITH
Merson is on the Lawro Wavelength today
Sunderland v Man City
People will say Sunderland have to win their games at home, but they just have to make sure they can nick points against the big boys - they did that last time out. Defensively, that was as good as it gets. They’ll have to do it again against Man City but I think they’ll have too much for them - John O’Shea and Wes Brown liked playing against Diego Costa, but Sergio Aguero is miles too sharp and lively for them.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2
