Manchester United Women will attempt to claim a fourth successive victory in all competitions when they face West Ham United Women in Saturday's Women's Super League clash.
Meanwhile, the Hammers will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to four matches since losing 4-3 to Arsenal at the start of March.
Match preview
© Imago
West Ham have already surpassed last season's total points tally by four points after collecting 19 points from 18 league games this season.
The Hammers have picked up five of these points in their last three matches, drawing against Manchester City and Chelsea on either side of a 2-0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur.
They would have been particularly pleased with their hard point against leaders Chelsea after Shekiera Martinez netted a brace to help her side come from two goals down.
As a result of that 2-2 draw, the Hammers went into the international break in seventh position and just two points adrift of the top half of the table with four games left to play.
Rehanne Skinner's side will be pleased to have home advantage for Saturday's fixture, considering that they have won three of their previous four league outings at the Chigwell Construction Stadium (D1).
They will hope that home advantage can help them claim their first competitive win over Man United since recording a 3-2 victory in December 2019.
© Imago
In contrast to their hosts, Man United have already played one game since the international window after they returned to action in Sunday's Women's FA Cup semi-final against rivals Manchester City.
United saw off their local neighbours at the Joie Stadium, with Celine Bizet and Grace Clinton scoring a goal apiece to clinch a 2-0 victory and secure back-to-back final appearances.
The holders will have the chance to defend their trophy when they face five-time winners Chelsea in next month's final at Wembley, but first, they will look to negotiate their final four tricky league games.
After facing West Ham on Saturday, Man United will go up against the other three teams in the top four, which will see them compete in consecutive home games against Chelsea and Man City before travelling to the Emirates Stadium for a meeting with Arsenal.
Third-placed Man United will find it extremely difficult to overcome the six-point deficit to leaders Chelsea in their final four league fixtures, but they do at least boast a seven-point cushion over Man City in the race for European qualification.
The Red Devils will be confident of taking three points off West Ham, having won four of their last five away league matches, including a commanding 4-0 victory in their most recent WSL road trip against Aston Villa.
- L
- W
- L
- D
- W
- D
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
Team News
© Imago
West Ham are expected to be without midfielder Katrina Gorry, who sustained an ankle injury in the draw with Chelsea before the international break.
Icelandic midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir could be given the chance to start if Gorry is unable to prove her fitness for Saturday's contest.
Martinez will continue to offer one of the home team's main goal threats, having scored five times in her eight WSL appearances.
As for the visitors, Evie Rabjohn is back working on the grass as she continues her rehabilitation from a long-term knee injury, although she remains unavailable for selection.
Gabby George will hope to prove her fitness in time for the weekend after she was forced off in the closing stages of the win over Man City.
If everyone is available, Skinner could opt for consistency by naming the same team that started the recent FA Cup semi-final victory.
West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:
Szemik; Li, Tysiak, Zadorsky; Denton, Siren, Brynjarsdottir, Hanshaw; Martinez, Asseyi; Ueki
Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:
Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, George; Bizet, Clinton, Miyazawa, Toone, Galton; Terland
We say: West Ham United Women 1-2 Manchester United Women
Man United have won five of their previous six competitive matches against West Ham, and we think that they will do enough to claim a narrow victory in Saturday's fixture, especially as they are enjoying a strong run of form in the league, having won nine of their last 10 league games.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
