Match Preview: Birmingham City v United Women

Marc Skinner’s side will make the journey south down the M6 looking to continue their solid record against the Blues, having won all three of our previous meetings. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the clash…

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?

The game will kick-off at 18:45 BST on Sunday evening and will be played at St Andrew's Stadium. Tickets are priced at £10 for Adults, £7 for Senior Citizens and £6 for Under 16s. Anyone wishing to make the journey can purchase tickets by calling the Blues' ticket office on 0121 772 0101 and choosing Option 2.

Alternatively, the game will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event from 18:45 BST, with highlights also following over on The Women’s Football Show on the BBC Red Button from 21:30 BST.

Of course, we will also keep you updated with every piece of action via manutd.com, our Official App and across our social media pages too. 

TEAM NEWS

United will be looking to extinguish any lingering disappointment when they travel to the West Midlands, following a tough 6-1 defeat to reigning champions Chelsea last weekend.

Skinner may looking to shake things up ahead of the Reds' fourth WSL fixture of the 2021/22 campaign. Millie Turner remains absent following the knee injury she sustained in the recent victory over Leicester City, with the defender just beginning to step up her rehabilitation under the United medical team. Also unavailable for Sunday's match are Martha Thomas and Kirsty Smith.

FORM GUIDE

With six points collected from a possible nine at the start of the season, it has been a positive start to life as United Women’s boss for Marc Skinner, as he prepares to face the side he led to an FA Cup final back in 2017.

The Reds had seen off both Reading and Leicester City before defeat at home to Chelsea last weekend, and will hope that forward Ella Toone can continue her fine start to the season. The 22-year-old has found the net once and assisted three times in just three games so far, as she looks to improve on last season’s tally of nine goals.

As for our opponents, it has been a difficult start to say the least: the Blues have lost all three of their opening WSL fixtures, conceding nine goals along the way. Scott Booth’s side also crashed out of the FA Women’s Cup on Wednesday, losing 4-0 at home to two-time winners Chelsea.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

As mentioned, the Reds are yet to lose a competitive match-up against Sunday’s opponents, scoring 10 goals in the process. Last season saw United record both 5-2 and 2-0 successes in what was only our second campaign in top-flight women’s football.

The Reds were, in fact, 2-0 down inside the opening half hour back in September 2020, before goals from Jane Ross, Katie Zelem, Ella Toone and two from Kirsty Hanson ensured a then perfect start to the 2020/21 campaign.

In the reverse fixture at Leigh Sports Village, goals from both Leah Galton and Ella Toone  confirmed our returned to the top of the WSL with 12 games played. United’s eventual fourth-placed finish meant the Reds narrowly missed out on European qualification, with Skinner’s side looking to go one better this time out.

WSL WATCH

Before next weekend’s derby showdown with Manchester City, our local rivals face West Ham on Sunday afternoon in a 14:00 BST kick-off, as they also look to bounce back following consecutive league defeats against both Tottenham and Arsenal.

Here are the remaining fixtures from the weekend's upcoming action: 

SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER

Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion (11:30 BST)
Aston Villa v Arsenal (17:15 BST)

SUNDAY 3 OCTOBER

Manchester City v West Ham (14:00 BST)
Leicester City v Tottenham (14:00 BST)
Reading v Everton (14:00 BST)