Manchester United Women will look to make it consecutive wins at the beginning of the Women’s Super League season as we travel away to West Ham United on Sunday. The Red Devils secured a 4-0 win against Reading in the opening game. While our opponents saw out a 1-0 victory over Everton.
United blew away Reading within the first 45 minutes to make a statement win to start the league campaign. Debutant Maya Le Tissier who switched from Brighton and Hove Albion scored a brace. While captain Katie Zelem and Alessia Russo found the goal to wrap up the victory in confident style.
Manager Marc Skinner will be hoping that the 4-0 win is a sign of more to come as the Red Devils target Champions League qualification. Challenging for the title is something we would like to see happen but first and foremost United’s away record needs to improve. We only won one game in our final six away league games. Confidence will be riding high amongst the squad though, as we have only lost one of the last nine league games.
Manchester United Women Team News
For United, Aoife Mannion and Rachel Williams still remain out through injury. Manager Marc Skinner also revealed that new signing Grace Clinton is a doubt for this fixture. After scoring two goals on her debut, Maya Le Tissier will retain her place in the backline alongside Millie Turner as the starting eleven looks to remain unchanged. Alessia Russo found the net against Reading and is hoping to score in consecutive games when she leads the attack on Sunday.
Manchester United’s Women Predicted Lineup
Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Ladd, Zelem; Galton, Toone, Garcia, and Russo.
Opposition Preview
West Ham United Women began their league campaign under the new management of Paul Konchesky after being promoted from assistant manager following the exit of Olli Harder at the end of last season. Konchesky has taken over a squad that finished sixth in the table last term and if they were to achieve this feat again, it would be considered a success.
However, their form towards the end of the last season was not good only achieving two victories in nine games. The Hammers will want to guarantee their safety first in the WSL. They began the opening weekend with the perfect start claiming a 1-0 win over Everton with Lisa Evans scoring the winning goal. It is another home game for West Ham but a much tougher opponent in United who they have lost to in their previous three games against.
West Ham United Women Team News
For our opponents, the starting eleven could remain unchanged after the win against Everton. Risa Shimizu and Kirsty Smith who debuted for the Hammers are set to operate in the defence alongside Lucy Parker and Hawa Cissoko. Viviane Asseyi and Honoka Hayash who were also given their debuts will feature in the attack with Lisa Evans.
Form Guide
Manchester United Women league form: W
West Ham United Women league form: W
Prediction
United will want to carry on the good form they showed in the opening game of the season. West Ham has made games against us very tough in the past but we have the quality and depth to break the opposition down and secure the win.
West Ham United Women 0-2 Manchester United Women
