Manchester United Women will make the short trip across the road to the Etihad to take on our local rivals Manchester City in this hotly anticipated Manchester derby. The Reds have won seven of their eight league games. Whilst, our opponents are looking for their tenth consecutive victory across all competitions.
United have only lost one of their eight league games this season with a 3-1 home defeat against reigning Champions Chelsea. We responded emphatically with a 3-2 win away at Arsenal before we put on a five-star display for a comfortable victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford last weekend.
Goals from Katie Zelem, Leah Galton, Alessia Russo, Ona Batlle and Rachel Williams gave the Reds a 5-0 win against the Villians.
We recorded our third straight win in all competitions on Wednesday evening with a 4-2 victory over Everton in the League Cup. However, it was not enough to progress into the knockout stages due to results elsewhere.
Focus now turns back to the league, United sit in second place level on points with Arsenal and three points behind league leaders Chelsea, who have played a game more. The Reds will be looking to keep up with those teams at the top with a win in the Manchester derby.
Manchester United Women’s Team News
United rotated their squad for the League Cup game against Everton. It is likely that head coach Marc Skinner will revert back to the same starting eleven that played in the 5-0 win over Aston Villa last weekend.
Maya Le Tissier will sit in the centre of the defence alongside Millie Turner. Both of them will have to be at their best to stop this Man City side that has scored at least two goals in their last nine games. Alessia Russo with four goals so far this season will have the responsibility of leading the attack in the Manchester derby.
Manchester United Women Predicted Lineup
Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Ladd, Zelem; Parris, Toone, Galton; Russo.
Opposition Preview
Manchester City sits fourth in the WSL table separated by three points over local rivals United who occupy the third and final Champions League qualification spot.
City secured a 3-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend thanks to goals from Julie Blakstad and Laura Coombs as well as a Veatriki Sarri own goal. Midweek also saw another victory in the League Cup with goals from Filippa Angeldal and Mary Fowler giving them a 2-0 win away to Liverpool.
They will now be looking to achieve ten consecutive victories across all competitions on Sunday. With excellent home form, City will be confident in coming away with all three points. In addition, they have won all three of their previous home games over United.
Manchester City Women Team News
Head coach Gareth Taylor also made a number of changes for their League Cup win against Liverpool midweek but will likely revert to the same side that played against Brighton last weekend.
Goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck will have Laia Aleixandri and Alex Greenwood in front of her as the centre-back partnership. City will be looking to become the first team to keep a clean sheet against United in the WSL this season.
Khadija Shaw is the joint-leading scorer in the league alongside Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly with eight goals and will be looking to add to that tally on Sunday.
Form Guide
Manchester United Women WSL form: WWWLWW
Manchester United Women form (all competitions): LWLWWW
Manchester City Women WSL form: WWWWWW
Manchester City Women form (all competitions): WWWWWW
Prediction
Both teams come into the Manchester derby on an equal footing. Some would say United are the favourites compared to the previous seasons where we were underdogs. United and City have the potential to score goals and will want to win. Given United’s experience playing in the bigger stadiums lately, it should give them the confidence to come away with the three points.
Manchester City Women 1-2 Manchester United Women
