Manchester United and Chelsea get the ball rolling in round five of the 2025-26 Women’s Super League (WSL) season with a heavyweight meeting at Leigh Sports Village on Friday.
Both teams are unbeaten across the opening four matches and claimed impressive victories in their most recent outings.
Manchester United Women preview
After drawing with Arsenal, Manchester United Women wasted no time returning to winning ways by beating Liverpool 2-0 on Sunday.
Goals at either end of the first half from Hinata Miyazawa and Ella Toone put Marc Skinner’s side in cruise control at half-time, although they still had to fend off a second-half barrage to preserve their advantage.
A return of 10 points from a possible 12 has put United second in the standings ahead of their biggest test of the season against Chelsea.
May’s FA Cup final defeat was United’s fourth straight loss to Chelsea across all competitions, during which they failed to score in any of the matches.
However, Friday’s hosts will be confident of turning the tide in this fixture, having lost just once on home turf since the final week of January. That defeat was against Chelsea.
Chelsea Women preview
Despite enduring more disappointment on the continental front last season, Chelsea defended their league title in style, going the entire season unbeaten to finish 12 points clear of runners-up Arsenal.
While Sonia Bompastor will have her sights set on delivering Champions League success, leading the Blues to a seventh straight domestic crown is also a primary objective.
Chelsea’s 4-0 demolition of West Ham United on Sunday maintained their status as the only WSL team with an unblemished record after four games.
Since their 4-1 loss to Barcelona in April, Chelsea have gone undefeated in their subsequent 10 matches, scoring first on each occasion.
Friday’s visitors have also been solid at the back in that span, keeping six clean sheets, but their current tally of only two league goals conceded this term is bettered by Manchester United (one).
Team news
Millie Turner has missed each of Man United’s last three matches due to a knee problem and will not be available on Friday.
Leah Galton is also out of contention for the home side alongside fellow midfielder Simi Awujo.
Chelsea have a lengthy injury list to contend with, headlined by the absence of Lauren James (ankle).
Brooke Aspin and Kadeisha Buchanan are both out with knee issues, while Lucy Bronze and Mayra Ramirez miss out due to calf and thigh injuries.
Naomi Girma rounds off the list of guaranteed absentees for the away side, although Niamh Charles could also miss out with a foot injury.
Manchester United Women Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Tullis-Joyce; Rolfo, Janssen, Le Tissier, Riviere; Miyazawa, Zigiotti Olme; Malard, Toone, Park; Terland.
Chelsea Predicted XI (3-4-3): Hampton; Bjorn, Bright, Buurman; Baltimore, Cuthbert, Walsh, Carpenter; Kaptein, Hamano, Beever-Jones.
