As the Women's Super League heats up, Manchester United Women are set to clash with Tottenham Hotspur Women this Sunday, and it promises to be an enthralling encounter as both teams vie for supremacy.
Manchester United are in fine form, looking to secure their fourth consecutive victory across all competitions. The Red Devils kicked off their league campaign with a resounding 3-0 victory over West Ham United at Old Trafford, followed by a narrow yet crucial 1-0 win against Everton. They continued their strong streak by defeating Liverpool 2-0 in the Women’s League Cup, with Melvine Malard and Rachel Williams finding the net.
Having had extra time to prepare following the postponement of their match against Chelsea due to Champions League commitments, Manchester United will be well-rested and ready for their first competitive meeting with Spurs since their dominant 4-0 victory in the Women’s FA Cup final last season.
Historically, Manchester United have had the upper hand in their encounters with Tottenham, winning eight and drawing two of their ten previous WSL matches, giving them a strong edge going into this weekend’s fixture.
On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur Women have had a mixed bag to start the season, with four matches yielding two victories, one draw, and one disappointing loss. Spurs kicked off the season impressively with a 4-0 win against newly-promoted Crystal Palace, then fought back to secure a thrilling 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. However, they stumbled against Liverpool, where a controversial penalty in stoppage time saw them leave with a 3-2 defeat despite their spirited performance.
Currently positioned seventh in the league with points from three matches, Spurs are two points behind their Manchester rivals. Interestingly, Tottenham bring into this match a four-game unbeaten streak in away league fixtures, albeit with three consecutive 2-2 draws in their previous outings.
Team News
Manchester United Women will miss Evie Rabjohn as she continues her recovery from an ACL injury. Anna Sandberg and Emma Watson are also doubtful, while Melvine Malard remains a question mark after her early exit in the League Cup match. Marc Skinner may revert to the starting lineup that secured the league win over Everton.
Meanwhile, Tottenham will be without long-term absentee Kit Graham due to an ACL injury, and Shuang Wang and Amy James-Turner are likely to miss out as well. Ella Morris will require a fitness test after missing recent matches. Despite conceding three against Liverpool, Coach Robert Vilahamn is likely to maintain faith in his back four.
Possible Lineups
Manchester United Women
Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, Galton; Clinton, Janssen, Naalsund; Geyse, Toone, Terland
Tottenham Hotspur Women
Spencer; Neville, Bartrip, Hunt, Nilden; Oroz, Summanen; Raso, Thomas, Naz; England
In conclusion, our prediction for this encounter is a narrow 2-1 victory for Manchester United Women. Given their impressive track record and current form, they possess the quality needed to edge out Tottenham, despite the potential for a few moments of vulnerability in defence.
For further analysis and detailed predictions on this match, stay tuned!