Match preview: United Women v Chelsea
After a weekend off, Manchester United Women return to action with an exciting home WSL fixture against league leaders Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village.
Marc Skinner’s side seek a statement victory in the pursuit of UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification.
The Reds are currently in third spot, two points behind second-placed Arsenal and eight off Chelsea.
Here is the lowdown on the fixture, including how to watch and follow the events as they unfold...
HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW
The game kicks off on Wednesday at 20:15 BST at Leigh Sports Village. It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event, while you can listen to live radio commentary on the United App.
Liam Bradford and Siobhan Chamberlain are on duty, providing you with the best coverage of every kick.
Highlights will follow in due course, after analysis, reaction and updates in the United App and on ManUtd.com.
TEAM NEWS
Marc Skinner told reporters in his pre-match press conference that, “everyone’s available so, hopefully, I’ll have the full squad.”
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor hopes to welcome Nathalie Bjorn back into her squad for Wednesday’s game, after the Swedish centre-back missed the Blues’ defeat to Barcelona.
Ex-Red Lauren James is out with a hamstring injury and Sam Kerr has been unavailable for some time as she recovers from an ACL injury. There are suggestions that Kerr could return before the season’s end.
Bompastor said: “Hopefully yes, but it’s difficult for me to have a clear answer,” indicating that a comeback against United is unlikely.
FORM GUIDE
The Reds have lost only one of our last 11 matches in all competitions, the 3-1 reverse to Liverpool in mid-March.
A frustrating 0-0 draw at West Ham United — where Celin Bizet and Gabby George both struck the woodwork — followed a joyous 2-0 victory over Manchester City in the Adobe FA Cup to secure a third successive appearance in the Wembley final.
90 in 20: West Ham v United Women
EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS | Watch the standout action from West Ham v United Women in the WSL...
Wednesday’s opponents, Chelsea, have played three times since our last fixture.
Bompastor’s Blues suffered a chastening 8-2 aggregate defeat to Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League, with losses at home and away sandwiching a comfortable 4-0 midweek triumph over Crystal Palace in the WSL.
Despite European disappointment, the west London club are unbeaten in domestic competitions this season. They won the League Cup in March and will be our opponents in May’s FA Cup final.
WHO ELSE IS PLAYING?
Wednesday 30 April
Aston Villa v Arsenal (18:00 BST)