Jackie Groenen in action against Chelsea.

Women's match preview: United v Chelsea

Friday 07 February 2020 17:17

After hosting Chelsea in the Continental League Cup little over a week ago, Manchester United will do the same in the Women's Super League on Sunday.

Casey Stoney's Reds go into this game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Reading, in which the Royals rescued a point following a debatable penalty call at Adams Park. As for the visitors, Chelsea are on a roll when it comes to picking up points on the road, and their confidence will be soaring after a 8-0 thrashing of West Ham in their most recent fixture.

Ahead of Sunday's match, here's everything you need to know...

Video
Watch our exclusive pre-match interview with Reds defender Millie Turner.

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?

Sunday's match will be broadcast live on BT Sport in the UK, with kick-off taking place at 16:30 GMT. As usual, we’ll be providing updates on our official Twitter account @ManUtdWomen and, after the game, a full match report will be published on ManUtd.com and in our Official App. MUTV will also show the match in full at 19:00 GMT on Sunday, while video highlights will be available on the website.

FORM GUIDE

After picking up our first-ever draw in the WSL, last time out at Reading, Stoney's side return to more familiar surroundings, eager to continue our solid record on home turf. Since the start of the campaign the Reds have only lost twice at Leigh in the league, narrowly to Arsenal and surprisingly to Bristol City at the start of the calendar year. 

As for the visitors, Emma Hayes's side are currently on course to replicate their invincible campaign of 2017/18, with 11 victories and two stalemates to their name thus far. Sunday's opponents have been imperious on the road and are currently on a 27-game unbeaten run, a streak that stretches all the way back to May 2017 and a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.

OUR RECORD V CHELSEA

This weekend will be our first home game against Chelsea in the WSL; the away fixture back in November ended 1-0 to the Blues, who scored through a controversial Maren Mjelde penalty.

In fact, Chelsea beat the Reds by the same scoreline in the most recent meeting between the two sides - a Continental League Cup semi-final at Leigh Sports Village. Again, a goal from Mjelde proved to be the difference as Hayes's side advanced to the final.

Women's highlights: Reading 1 United 1 Video

Women's highlights: Reading 1 United 1

Watch the key moments from our draw at Adams Park, including a Lauren James strike and a Mary Earps penalty save...

ONES TO WATCH

One Red that is currently in good form is Lauren James, who has has netted five goals in her last five United appearances in the Women's Super League, including our opener versus Reading last time out. Five of the teenager's six strikes in the top flight have come from her eight starts, compared to just one in eight when she has emerged from the bench.

For the opposition this season, Beth England has scored 12 league goals worth a total of seven points to her team, more points than any other player in the competition. The Chelsea forward has now equalled her tally of 12 WSL goals from 2018/19, in five fewer appearances (13 instead of 18).

Women’s Highlights: United 0 Chelsea 1 Video

Women’s Highlights: United 0 Chelsea 1

Watch the best bits as Casey Stoney’s side are edged out in the Continental Cup semi-final…

RIVALS WATCH

There are two huge derbies this weekend, as Arsenal host Tottenham in front of a sell-out crowd at Meadow Park, while Liverpool make the journey to Goodison Park to face Everton.

Elsewhere, Birmingham City welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Solihull, Bristol City are at home to Reading and after losing 8-0 to Chelsea last time out, West Ham are at home to the league leaders, Manchester City.

The full list of fixtures is as follows:

SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Everton v Liverpool
Birmingham City v Brighton & Hove Albion
Bristol City v Reading (15:00 GMT)
West Ham United v Manchester City (15:00 GMT)
UNITED v Chelsea (16:30 GMT)

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