Chelsea F.C. Women vs Man United W.F.C.
Our busy March continues as we head into Round 15 of the WSL we face The Red Devils at Kingsmeadow for a thrilling top-of-the-table matchup. With little respite, the girls are thankfully only travelling back to Kingsmeadow this weekend for this mammoth challenge. With our last result, a 3-1 win over Brighton, being only three days ago we will be keen to carry on the form and keep our heads high.
Chelsea
Form: W-D-L-W
A nice jump back into WSL action on Wednesday saw us beat managerless Brighton 3-1 at Kingsmeadow. A massive team shake-up was expected after our disappointing loss against Arsenal in the conti cup final. Emma made no mistakes in showing her feelings after that display, with only four players keeping their spot in the starting eleven. Millie took the armband, Guro stuck around so did Super Sam and Jelena. With big players like Lauren, Magda and Ève starting out on the bench it was clear the result was still playing on our minds.
We come into this game against United knowing one thing for sure, even a draw won’t do with margins this tight. This is especially true since the team we are facing are currently sitting above us in the table. Yes, we have a game in hand but it won’t do much good if we let United run us over in this match. Needing a win to send us back to the top United haven’t been sloppy this season, they boast a far superior goal difference so a draw just won’t do.
Manchester United
Form: D-W-W-W
The Red Devils don’t have luck to thank for being top of the table they have been outstanding this season, with a solid defence and brilliant scoring displays. However, they will be keen to squeeze some points out of us tomorrow having dropped unnecessary points themselves so far in the league. This includes a surprising 0-0 draw against Everton in early February, a game where they really had themselves to blame for the lacklustre display.
No doubt Marc Skinner and every single United player will be looking to get one over on us in this game. Knowing how much this could mean in terms of the title race but also to make a statement after previous results in this match-up. We know what atmosphere to expect in the crowd at Kingsmeadow this Sunday but it’ll be interesting to see the atmosphere on the pitch as well, knowing just how much this could mean. Their last result was a 5-1 win over bottom-placed Leicester which will be a good motivator in this game. However, conceding a goal against the team bottom of the table who have only managed to score 7 times this season will be disappointing. Every team likes to protect their clean sheet, a task Chelsea have struggled with this season. Which leads me to believe we could see a high-scoring game.
Previous Meetings
The two clubs have met on numerous occasions, with Chelsea and the Red Devils meeting eight times since 2019. Chelsea have won seven of these games and the only dropped points were in a 1-1 draw in 2020. Conceding 7 goals and scoring a staggering 21 in these eight meetings. We haven’t kept a clean sheet in our last six but our goals scored is a good sign. With more on the line than ever we can expect to see two teams walking out with only one end goal, a win and preferably a clean sheet.
Team News
Chelsea
Much of the same for the Chelsea squad, Pernille Harder is still out after having surgery for a hamstring injury. Fran Kirby picked up an injury just before the international break and is unlikely to be match fit. Kateřina Svitková is also out injured after having surgery on her knee. Erin Cuthbert was missing from the squad in our match against Brighton, there has been no update on why this is so we will have to wait and see if she makes the squad for tomorrow.
Manchester United
Jayde Riviere is currently the only player missing from the United squad so they can walk into this game with an almost completely fit side ready to fight.
Players to Watch
Chelsea
Melanie Leupolz and Jelena Čanković are two Chelsea players to keep an eye on in this match.
Melanie Leupolz made her first start since giving birth on Wednesday and she looked like she had only been out of the team for a few weeks. Mel grew into the game and made her mark in midfield, she may not have been at her very best that we’ve seen before but she’s an important part of the squad and will no doubt be playing a lot more for us.
Jelena Čanković, what more can be said? An absolute superstar the way she carries the ball and wriggles away from defenders is mesmerising to watch. I knew when we signed her that she would be a star but I didn’t realise quite how impressed I would be watching her in person. She might not have been on the scoresheet Wednesday but what she bought to the game was worth so much more. I think she will be an important player this season and hope she’ll get to showcase her talents more against United.
Manchester United
Alessia Russo and Leah Galton are two Reds to keep an eye on in this game.
Alessia Russo has been running riot for both United and England recently, the talented youngster has the world at her feet. With 8 goals and 1 assist in the WSL this season she is a main outlet for United. Her adaptive play is brilliant and she can seem to get a goal from anywhere. Even if you don’t watch her in this game keep an eye on the young striker.
Leah Galton is very much a superstar in the United squad, the talented winger seems to come out on top in big matches this season. She struggled against us in November but I doubt she will let that happen again. With 6 goals and 3 assists in the WSL this season she is definitely one to watch.
Match Details
Date/Time: Sunday 12th March, 12:30
Venue: Kingsmeadow, Kingston
Referee: Cheryl Foster
How to Watch
UK: FA Player
Rest of the World: FA Player
Final Thoughts and Prediction
A game with everything on the line, even potentially the title, neither team will take anything for granted on Sunday. We can expect a still fired-up Chelsea after missing out on the Conti Cup and a fired-up United ready to break their streak against the Blues. United looking for a much-needed victory over us and in some of their best form ever, I can’t wait for this one.
Final Score Prediction: Chelsea 3 – 2 Man United
Written By A Bradley (@A_thensomething)