MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 12:01:55| >> :600:19404846:19404846:
[monks data]
Women's Super League | Gameweek 8
Nov 26, 2023 at 12.30pm UK
Ashton Gate Stadium

Bristol Women
0 - 2
Man Utd Women


Aspin (4'), Connolly (64')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Miyazawa (50'), Parris (55')

Preview: Bristol City Women vs. Manchester United Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Women's Super League clash between Bristol City Women and Manchester United Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

After beating Liverpool in the League Cup, Manchester United Women will be looking to claim a second straight victory when they face Bristol City Women on Sunday.

The hosts, who are currently propping up the Women's Super League table, will be looking to end a four-game winless run in all competitions.


Match preview

Bristol City Women's Rachel Furness celebrates scoring their first goal with Amalie Thestrup on October 22, 2023© Reuters

Having picked up four points from seven matches, newly-promoted Bristol City are sitting bottom of the WSL table on goal difference.

After losing their opening four league games, the Robins finally got up and running with a 3-2 away victory over West Ham United earlier this month.

Although they followed their maiden win with a defeat to Aston Villa, Lauren Smith's side showed great character to come from behind on two occasions to draw 2-2 with Everton last weekend thanks to goals from Amy Rodgers and Amalie Thestrup.

However, the Robins were unable to build upon that battling performance in midweek, as they fell to a heavy 3-0 defeat in their away meeting with Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup group stage.

As a result, Bristol City have now conceded at least two goals in nine of their 10 competitive matches this term, and they will need to improve defensively if they are to extend their stay in the top flight past a single season.

Manchester United Women manager Marc Skinner on November 19, 2023© Reuters

Manchester United experienced disappointment last weekend after their unbeaten start to the WSL season came to an end against their local rivals Man City.

The Red Devils moved in front in the 21st minute when Katie Zelem kept her cool from the penalty spot to score her first goal of the season, but Man City turned the game on its head with two goals in as many minutes to take a narrow lead into the break, before Bunny Shaw found the net in the second period to condemn Man United to a 3-1 defeat.

That result saw Man City jump above their rivals into third place, leaving Marc Skinner's side in fourth position and one point adrift of their city neighbours.

Fortunately for the Red Devils, they were given the chance to bounce back in midweek, with a Nikita Parris effort guiding her side to a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the League Cup.

They will now turn their attention to Sunday's away trip, where they will attempt to extend their unbeaten away run in the WSL to seven matches.

Bristol City Women Women's Super League form:


Bristol City Women form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • L


Manchester United Women Women's Super League form:


Manchester United Women form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W


Team News

Manchester United Women's Katie Zelem celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on November 19, 2023© Reuters

Bristol City goalkeeper Olivia Clarke will start a second straight league game, with Fran Bentley and Kaylan Marckese ruled out through injury.

Rachel Furness is set to miss four weeks of action due to a hamstring problem, while Satara Murray remains sidelined with a knee injury.

After making a number of changes to her side for Wednesday's League Cup defeat, Smith could revert back to the lineup that started the 2-2 draw with Everton.

As for the visitors, they are still without the services of Emma Watson and Gabby George, who are sidelined with anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Defender Aoife Mannion, who is yet to feature this season, is expected to be out of action for at least another few weeks.

Jayde Riviere and Hinata Miyazawa dropped down to the bench for the Manchester derby, but the pair are in contention to start against Bristol City.


Bristol City Women possible starting lineup:
Clarke; Powell, Aspin, Connolly, Layzell, Napier; Harrison, Jones, Rodgers, Thestrup; Morgan

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Riviere, Turner, Le Tissier, Blundell; Miyazawa, Zelem, Toone; Geyse, Galton, Parris


SM words green background

We say: Bristol City Women 1-3 Manchester United Women

Despite experiencing disappointment in the Manchester derby last weekend, we still expect Man United to ease to three points against a Bristol City side that currently hold the worst defensive record in the top flight.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:529765:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12729:
Written by
Ben Sully

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham on June 15, 2023
Read Next:
England trio up for Ballon d'Or, four Lionesses nominated for women's prize
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!