Manchester United Women have five games remaining to keep their hold on third spot in the Women’s Super League, making Sunday’s outing against a struggling Everton Ladies side a must-win occasion.
The Toffees currently sit ninth and will finish in a mid-table position come the end of this campaign, which has not lived up to the expectations of the club.
Marc Skinner’s side dropped two points last time out against West Ham United, who scored a 93rd-minute equaliser to level the scoreline at 1-1, after Ella Toone had given the visitors an early second-half lead.
The Red Devils would have been disappointed with that result as they came very close to claiming all three points, and they did have their opportunities to extend their lead, recording six shots on target in total.
Man United have had time to reflect on that match as they have not played since 16 March, which has given them, and others, the opportunity to recoup energy ahead of a final push at the end of this season.
Skinner’s team are currently only ahead of Manchester City on goal difference, meaning that their destiny is in their own hands but if they have the chance to defeat Everton by a heavy margin on Sunday, then they must take that with both hands.
From their eight home fixtures so far, United have taken 16 points from a possible 24, but Sunday’s outing will be their first match at Old Trafford, which is expected to give the hosts a huge boost.
The Toffees have played two games since Man United last played, both against Man City, one in the FA Cup and the other in the WSL, with Chris Roberts’s side losing 4-0 on both occasions.
Last time out, Everton allowed the Citizens to dominate the match in terms of possession and chances created, not giving a lot of opportunity for the Toffees to create any attacking scenarios themselves.
Roberts’s team have only netted 14 goals this season, which is a major reason why they are currently placed in the bottom four of the division, and after not finding the back of the net in their last three matches, this weekend is likely to be another frustrating day at the office.
After a promising campaign last year, Everton’s goal this season was to challenge for a place in the top three, but that aim was quickly demolished and now it is important to try and finish this campaign as strongly as possible to have some positives heading into next season.
These two teams drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture at Walton Hall Park, but in their last meeting Man United won 2-0 in the League Cup group stages.
Manchester United Women Women’s Super League form:
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Manchester United Women form (all competitions):
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Everton Ladies Women’s Super League form:
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Everton Ladies form (all competitions):
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We say: Manchester United Women 2-0 Everton Ladies
Man United will be determined to collect all three points with this match being held at Old Trafford, and they should be confident about doing so given their superior league position over Everton.
The visitors will need to be better in possession if they want to get back to scoring ways, but Man United will be a tough test and one that Everton are not favourites to do well in.