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It has been more than 500 days and counting from Chelsea last lost a Women’s Super League match. That statement by itself highlights their exceptional quality, and whichever way you view the statistics, they appear formidable. Take such facts: “The French manager is yet to lose a WSL game after 15 months as coach,” “She claimed victory in 23 of her 26 WSL games undefeated” or “The coach is unbeaten in 34 domestic matches after arriving to England.” All are accurate, all sound impressive, and—after four wins out of four this term—there are little indication of easing up.

Which Team Will Stop This Run?

Sooner or later, Chelsea will lose a WSL match. Perhaps not this week, it might not be in the coming year, it might not even be during this campaign. Maybe it will not occur for some time, but eventually it will happen, and logic indicates that the matches where their streak is most likely of ending is in one of their travel fixtures against key title rivals, Arsenal, City, or Manchester United. On Friday, the latter among them will have their turn, and form-wise they are seldom in a stronger position to attempt it.

The former Chelsea manager stated: ‘It’s rare that coaches are always thought about as human beings.’

The top two sides in the initial standings face off in Leigh under the lights and, even though the WSL campaign is only four rounds into the schedule, Manchester United go into the match with the strongest defense in the league. Past encounters favours the visitors though, since the most damning statistic of all could be the following: Manchester United have never beaten their rivals in the WSL.

Actually, they have secured just a single tie from their 11 previous WSL encounters. Even so, the home team’s manager, Skinner, wants his squad to believe. “Without a doubt the most difficult challenge in the WSL at present, naturally,” the manager commented. “Our aim to try to end their streak on Friday but it’s difficult.

“They’re such a highly efficient machine. They have exceptional quality, depth and quality, that they’ve built over many seasons. I expect the most demanding of challenges this week and we must prepare fully.

“I really think, it is possible to damage them with the ball, but you need to show courage in doing that, as it’s higher risk because they’re really good in one-on-ones. You have to believe in your ability to beat them, and show the opposition that you can.”

Bompastor’s Perspective on the Streak

According to the coach, who led a clean sweep of trophies last season in her debut campaign in English football, the numbers mean very little. “This story regarding the undefeated streak is mostly of interest to the media,” she stated. “Our season began anew with a clean slate, we won four matches all played, and our goal is to go into each fixture with the desire to win. We are early in the season, we have not accomplished anything so far.”

Bompastor has fond memories of visiting the venue, as that was the place her team clinched last season’s title on 30 April, via a 1-0 victory thanks to a Lucy Bronze header. This time they face a Manchester United team who have conceded only one goal in four matches and the coach said: “They appear solid and they’ve had a good start this term.

“In these games, it is typically tough. Maybe you create limited opportunities compared to some of the fixtures and it is crucial to make sure your side is precise and effective. In my opinion that is determines the outcome in top-tier games.”

Key Attackers to Look Out For

The joint-leading goalscorers in the WSL this season will be in action on either side: United’s Melvine Malard has netted four goals in four WSL games, as does the Blues' Aggie Beever-Jones, scoring in each match.

Bompastor remarked, regarding England’s striker's excellent performance: “Since I joined the club, I could recognise that she is a highly skilled player with a lot of ability, and additionally a really complete player.

“Out of possession she has been great; she is the first one in the frontline applying the pressure. In possession, we have been putting in effort with her, trying so she can to be as effective possible in many aspects of her play. Currently, she appears very self-assured [and] that’s great the squad.”

The Importance of the Opening Score

It is a cliche in soccer that the “first goal is decisive” but this appears especially true in this match; United are unbeaten in each of the past 25 WSL games in which they have taken the first goal. Should they at last end the drought for a first win over Chelsea, it would be the initial significant twist in the WSL title race.