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Team Changes and Lineups

Man Utd have made a single alteration in their lineup compared to the side that began the previous weekend’s victory against the Reds. Sandberg enters the lineup for leading scorer Melvine Malard, who is among the substitutes.

The Blues adjust a trio of players in and out of the starting eleven that began last weekend’s victory at West Ham. Carpenter replaces Buurman in defense, Catarina Macario comes in instead of Jean-François in the middle of the park, and Sandy Baltimore takes Thompson’s spot in attack. All of the players dropped are substitutes.

Confirmed Team Sheets

Manchester United: Tullis-Joyce, Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Rolfo, Sandberg, Miyazawa, Park, Toone, Zigiotti Olme, Terland.
Substitutes: Middleton-Patel, Rendell, Blundell, George, Awujo, Ildhusoy, Naalsund, Malard, Williams.

Chelsea: Hampton, Bjorn, Bright, Carpenter, Kaptein, Cuthbert, Walsh, Baltimore, Kaneryd, Macario, Beever-Jones.
Substitutes: Peng, Reiten, Thompson, Buurman, Kerr, Hamano, Jean-Francois, Nusken, Potter.

Preamble

Just four games in, and already this feels like potentially a crucial match. Check out the league positions:

Pos	Team	P	GD	Pts
1	Chelsea Women	4	8	12
2	Man Utd Women	4	10	10
3	Man City Women	4	7	9
4	Tottenham Hotspur Women	4	0	9
5	Arsenal Women	4	7	8

Man Utd can go top if they win this evening. It’s a tough challenge, despite home advantage, especially since the visitors are unbeaten in the WSL since late in last season – and they still managed to win the title. Moreover, Erin Cuthbert along with Aggie Beever-Jones are displaying impressive form that’s seen them pinging the ball into the top corner.

Yet despite that, Manchester United retain belief in their capacity to halt the 500-day-plus undefeated streak of the top side in the land. This is partly due to their defence is strong – they have allowed just a single goal so far this season – and they’ve got spectacular goals in their arsenal as well: including Miyazawa, who can unleash a powerful shot. Since Melvine Malard sharing the lead among the top scorers with the previously mentioned Beever-Jones, there is ample firepower on show to make this an exciting match. If the Football Gods tempt to deliver a goalless draw, apologies are in order ahead of time. Kick-off at Leigh Sports Village will be at 7.30pm BST. Let’s go!