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NederlandManchester United Women have the opportunity to leapfrog Tottenham Hotspur Ladies into third spot in the Women's Super League on Sunday, when the two teams meet at The Hive.
Spurs suffered their first WSL defeat of the season last time out in the league but remain only three points off table-toppers Arsenal, while Man United settled for a draw against rivals Manchester City.
Match preview
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Before the international break, Rehanne Skinner's side travelled south to face Brighton & Hove Albion, but the home team were more efficient with their chances in front of goal and Spurs came away with nothing after the game finished 2-1.
Spurs bounced back from that defeat with victory in the League Cup group stages against Championship outfit Charlton, courtesy of a 51st-minute strike from Jiali Tang.
Next weekend brings the second North London derby of the season and the first in the league this campaign, so three points against Manchester United on Sunday will mean that Skinner's team can enter that clash with Arsenal no more than three points behind their rivals.
Despite defeat against the Seagulls, Tottenham's start in the first five games remains their best points tally at this stage of the season in their history in the top flight, and victory this weekend would mean that they are only five points away from equalling their whole tally from last year.
Manchester United will be keen to leapfrog Spurs into the Champions League qualification spots, as this is their aim come the end of the season, but confidence may have been knocked in the league cup last time out.
Marc Skinner's side went on to beat second-tier leaders Durham 5-3 on penalties on Thursday evening, but the top-flight outfit could only manage a 2-2 draw at New Ferens Park.
Ivana Foso and Ella Toone had ensured that the Red Devils were 2-1 to the good heading into the final five minutes of the 90 to be played, but late in that outing Beth Hepple equalised for Durham to send the game to penalties.
That was Man United's only fixture against a side not in the top flight in Group B of the League Cup, so that is why Skinner will be disappointed that his side could not come away with all three points, but the Red Devils have bounced back from setbacks previously this season.
After taking a 6-1 thrashing from reigning champions Chelsea, Man United bounced back with a comfortable 2-0 win over Birmingham, and the visitors will be confident that they can emulate Brighton's result against Spurs, looking to send their hosts to their second defeat of the league campaign.
Manchester United completed the double over Spurs last term, with their most recent triumph being an emphatic 4-1 win in April, but much has changed since then and the home side are expected to make it more difficult for Man United this time around.
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Team News
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Spurs striker Rachel Williams received two yellow cards against Brighton but she will be available for selection this weekend after serving her suspension in the League Cup against Charlton.
Skinner made many changes from the lineup which faced the Seagulls to the side which started against Charlton, but the home side are likely to lineup in a similar way to their last WSL outing.
Kit Graham, Maeva Clemaron and Ria Percival will make up the midfield three for Tottenham, while Rosella Ayane and Chioma Ubogagu will provide the width on either side.
Manchester United will lineup with Mary Earps in goal behind a back four consisting of Ona Batlle, Maria Thorisdottir, Aoife Mannion and Hannah Blundell, while Katie Zelem and Jackie Groenen will sit in front of the defenders.
Toone, Leah Galton and Kirsty Hanson are expected to have a place in the attacking half for the visitors, and either Lucy Staniforth or Alessia Russo will make up the final spot in the starting 11.
Tottenham Hotspur Ladies possible starting lineup:
Spencer; Harrop, Zadorsky, Bartrip, Neville; Clemaron, Percival, Graham; Ubogagu, Williams, Ayane
Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Batlle, Thorisdottir, Mannion, Blundell; Zelem, Groenen; Galton, Staniforth, Hanson; Toone
We say: Tottenham Hotspur Ladies 0-1 Manchester United Women
With both teams recording a positive start to the season, Sunday's encounter is likely to be a tight affair, but the away side should edge out on top after Spurs showed their first sign of weakness in the league against Brighton.
Tottenham's start to the season is perhaps more of a shock than Man United's position given both of these sides' league positions last year, so the home side are not expected to keep up their place in the Champions League qualification spots.
