Preview: Manchester United Women vs. West Ham United Women
After progressing to the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend, Manchester United Women will turn their attention back to league matters when they face West Ham United Women at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Hammers, meanwhile, will be looking to return to winning ways after picking up just one point from their previous five Women’s Super League matches.
In their most recent WSL game, Man United suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to reigning English champions Chelsea, who subsequently replaced the Red Devils at the top of the table.
Second-placed Man United are now two points adrift of the WSL summit and they are at a disadvantage, having played one game fewer than Emma Hayes’s side.
Although their title hopes have been dented, Man United remain in contention for the FA Cup after beating Championship outfit Lewes 3-1 in last Sunday’s quarter-final tie.
Goals from Alessia Russo, Vilde Boe Risa and Nikita Parris guided the Red Devils to a comfortable victory, which set up a semi-final meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Having scored 25 home goals in the WSL this season – more than any other side in the top flight – Man United will be confident that they have the firepower to follow up their FA Cup win with another victory on Saturday.
Unlike their hosts, West Ham were not in action last weekend, after they were knocked out in the FA Cup fifth round by Aston Villa in February.
The Hammers were unable to avenge their penalty shootout defeat to the Villans when the two sides met in the WSL on March 12.
Rachel Daly and Jordan Nobbs grabbed a goal apiece to give Aston Villa a two-goal lead, and although Viviane Asseyi pulled a goal back in the 79th minute, Paul Konchesky’s side were unable to find a late leveller.
The 2-1 defeat extended West Ham’s winless run to five games, leaving them in seventh place with 16 points to their name after 15 matches.
Having had two weeks to prepare for Saturday’s fixture, West Ham will hope that they can claim their first victory over Man United since December 2019.
Manchester United Women Women’s Super League form:
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Manchester United Women form (all competitions):
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West Ham United Women Women’s Super League form:
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West Ham United Women form (all competitions):
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We say: Manchester United Women 2-0 West Ham United Women
Man United have won four of their previous five meetings with West Ham, and after winning five of their seven home league games this season, we think that they will claim another victory over the Hammers on Sunday.