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Women's Super League | Gameweek 22
May 18, 2024 at 3pm UK
Old Trafford

Man Utd Women
vs.
Chelsea Women

Preview: Manchester United Women vs. Chelsea Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Women's Super League clash between Manchester United Women and Chelsea Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Chelsea Women will attempt to clinch a fifth consecutive Women's Super League title when they face Manchester United Women in Saturday's clash at Leigh Sports Village.

The hosts are sitting top of the table on goal difference, while Man United will enter the final matchday in fifth place.


Match preview

Manchester United Women's Lisa Naalsund celebrates scoring their second goal with Hannah Blundell on March 17, 2024© Reuters

Man United will be in a celebratory mood after they thrashed Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 in last Sunday's FA Cup final to clinch their first major trophy.

Ella Toone and Rachel Williams grabbed a goal apiece to give Man United a two-goal lead, before Lucia Garcia netted a brace to round off a memorable day for the club.

While they enjoyed success in the FA Cup, the Red Devils have struggled to find consistency in the WSL, with their 21 league matches producing 10 wins, five draws and six defeats.

After losing 1-0 to Liverpool in their previous league outing, Man United are sitting in fifth place and three points adrift of the Merseyside club in fourth position.

The Red Devils may be 17 points adrift of Saturday's opponents, but they will fancy their chances of beating the Blues after winning seven of their last eight competitive home matches, including a 2-1 win over Chelsea in last month's semi-final.

Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes after the match on April 20, 2024© Reuters

Chelsea's FA Cup defeat to Man United took place in a five-game period where they lost in the League Cup final and the Champions League semi-finals.

They then went on to lose 3-2 in an away league game against Liverpool, leaving them to contemplate the prospect of finishing Emma Hayes's final season without a trophy.

While that is still a possibility, Chelsea have claimed back-to-back wins over Bristol City and Tottenham Hotspur to take advantage of Man City's recent defeat to Arsenal.

After thrashing the Robins 8-0, the Blues went on to record a narrow 1-0 win in Wednesday's clash with Spurs thanks to a first-half effort from Maika Hamano.

Chelsea are now sitting top of the table on 52 points and a goal difference of +47, while the Citizens are sitting in second place with the same points tally and a goal difference of +45.

As a result, the Blues will retain the WSL trophy even if they equal Man City's result against Aston Villa, while maintaining their goal difference advantage.

Manchester United Women Women's Super League form:


Manchester United Women form (all competitions):


Chelsea Women Women's Super League form:


Chelsea Women form (all competitions):



Team News

Chelsea Women's Maika Hamano celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on April 17, 2024© Reuters

As for the visitors, Man United remain without the injured trio of Jayde Riviere, Emma Watson and Jess Simpson.

Leah Galton will have to be assessed after she was forced off in the 50th minute of the FA Cup final due to an injury issue.

Melvine Malard could come in if Galton is unable to feature, while Nikita Parris is likely to replace Williams up front.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon Aniek Nouwen, Sam Kerr, Mia Fishel, Jelena Cankovic and Mayra Ramirez.

Lauren James could be presented with a starting spot after she returned from a two-game injury absence to feature as a late substitute against Tottenham.

Fran Kirby is likely to start on the bench, but the Chelsea legend will hope to get some minutes in her final game for the West London club.


Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Naalsund; Garcia, Toone, Malard; Parris

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:
Musovic; Lawrence, Bright, Bjorn, Charles; Cuthbert, Leupolz; Rytting Kaneryd, James, Reiten; Beever-Jones


SM words green background

We say: Manchester United Women 1-2 Chelsea Women

Chelsea have won five of their six WSL away matches, and while we expect them to claim another win on Saturday, we think the Blues will have to settle for a narrow victory.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Data Failed

Who will win Saturday's Women's Super League clash between Man Utd Women and Chelsea Women?

Manchester United Women
Draw
Chelsea Women
Manchester United Women
60.0%
Draw
20.0%
Chelsea Women
20.0%
5
Collect / Create New Data
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