Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Women’s Super League clash between Chelsea Women and Manchester United Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Chelsea Women will look to maintain their 100% record in all competitions when they face Manchester United Women in Sunday’s Women’s Super League contest at Kingsmeadow.
The mouthwatering encounter is the only WSL game taking place this weekend after it had to be moved from its original date in October.
Match preview
After winning four consecutive WSL titles, Chelsea already look well set to defend their crown, with the Blues currently sitting two points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand over second-placed Manchester City.
Chelsea moved above the Citizens with a 2-0 victory over their title rivals last weekend, courtesy of second-half efforts from Mayra Ramirez and Guro Reiten.
They then enjoyed more success in midweek, with Lucy Bronze, Wieke Kaptein and Eve Perisset all finding the net in a 3-0 Women’s Champions victory over Celtic.
Not only did they seal their place in the quarter-finals, but the result represented their 11th consecutive victory under manager Sonia Bompastor.
The Chelsea boss hopes her side can maintain that 100% record in their final outing before the international break, and they will certainly fancy their chances of claiming all three points, having won eight of their nine WSL matches against Manchester United.
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Like Chelsea, Man United are yet to taste defeat this season, having won six and drawn three of their nine matches in all competitions.
However, their hopes of mounting a WSL title bid were dealt a blow when they played out three consecutive draws against Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
The Red Devils managed to get back on track with a successful away outing against Leicester City last weekend, with Elisabeth Terland and Celine Bizet grabbing a goal apiece in a 2-0 victory at the King Power Stadium.
Marc Skinner‘s side recorded another 2-0 win in Wednesday’s League Cup tie against Everton, courtesy of a Courtney Brosnan own goal and a spectacular effort from Man United defender Maya Le Tissier.
Man United will now be fully focused on Sunday’s crucial away fixture, and while they know a point would move them into the top three, they will be keen to claim their first-ever WSL win over Chelsea to move within three points of the league leaders.
Chelsea Women Women’s Super League form:
Chelsea Women form (all competitions):
Manchester United Women Women’s Super League form:
Manchester United Women form (all competitions):
Team News
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Chelsea remain without the services of Kadiesha Buchanan, Sophie Ingle, Niamh Charles, Aniek Nouwen, Lauren James and Sam Kerr.
After making several changes in midweek, Bompastor is set to recall Hannah Hampton, Nathalie Bjorn, Sandy Baltimore and Erin Cuthbert.
Maika Hamano and Ramirez are also expected to return to the starting lineup, with the latter looking to add to the three WSL goals she has scored this season.
As for the Red Devils, they will go into Sunday’s match without Lisa Naalsund, Evie Rabjohn and Ella Toone due to injury.
Terland will also be forced to sit out the crucial league fixture after she picked up a groin issue in last weekend’s win over Leicester.
In positive news, Leah Galton will feature in the matchday squad following her return to action as a substitute in Wednesday’s League Cup win against Everton.
Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:
Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Bjorn, Baltimore; Nusken, Cuthbert; Rytting Kaneryd, Hamano, Reiten; Ramirez
Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:
Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, George; Awujo, Janssen; Geyse, Clinton, Bizet; Williams
We say: Chelsea Women 3-1 Manchester United Women
Chelsea have won eight of their nine WSL games against Man United, and after making a flawless start to the season, we believe the hosts will do enough to claim all three points and condemn the Red Devils to their first defeat of the campaign.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
