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Women's Super League | Gameweek 22
May 8, 2022 at 12pm UK
Wheatsheaf Park

Chelsea Women
4 - 2
Man Utd Women

Cuthbert (18'), Kerr (46', 66'), Reiten (51')
Fleming (80')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Thomas (13'), Toone (25')
Ladd (11')

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

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

On the final matchday of the Women's Super League season, Chelsea Women will welcome Manchester United Women to Kingsmeadow for a contest that has a lot riding on it for both sides.

The league leaders Chelsea will be aiming to retain their WSL crown, while the Red Devils are attempting to qualify for the Champions League.


Match preview

Chelsea Women's Magdalena Eriksson celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 20, 2022© Reuters

Chelsea enter the final day of the WSL season in top spot, but there is still work to do if they are to clinch a third consecutive league title.

If the Blues win on Sunday then they will lift the trophy, while a draw would only do if second-placed Arsenal fail to beat West Ham United.

Meanwhile, a defeat to Man United would leave Emma Hayes's side relying on West Ham to beat the Gunners, but in spite of all those permutations, Chelsea will have their sights set firmly on three points.

The league leaders enter Sunday's contest off the back of a run of 10 consecutive victories, although they required a late Pernille Harder spot kick to beat Birmingham City last weekend.

Ahead of the final game of the season, Chelsea can take inspiration from the fact that they have already beaten Man United on two occasions this season by a combined 9-2 scoreline.

Manchester United Women's Leah Galton celebrates scoring their first goal with Katie Zelem on April 3, 2022© Reuters

The visitors, on the other hand, still harbour hopes of qualifying for the Champions League despite entering the final matchday two points adrift of their local rivals Manchester City, who occupy third place.

To finish in the top three, Man United must win at Kingsmeadow, while Reading would need to do the Red Devils a favour by beating City on Sunday.

United are currently enjoying a fine run of form as they look to extend their seven-game unbeaten run at the weekend, and they also have the chance to clinch back-to-back victories after beating West Ham United last weekend.

Martha Thomas got the Red Devils up and running against the Hammers before a Grace Fisk own goal doubled the advantage, and the comfortable victory was wrapped up when Leah Galton netted in the 49th minute.

Man United have the third-best defensive record in the WSL and the backline will need to be at their very best on Sunday to nullify a Chelsea team who have scored 58 goals in their 21 league games this season.

Chelsea Women Women's Super League form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Chelsea Women form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Manchester United Women Women's Super League form:
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W


Team News

Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes reacts on March 20, 2022© Reuters

Chelsea have a near fully fit squad to choose from, although Fran Kirby is still unavailable for the hosts.

After coming on at half time against Birmingham, Erin Cuthbert could return to the starting lineup for Sunday's contest, which could result in Jessie Fleming dropping down to the bench.

Sam Kerr is set to end the season as the WSL top scorer, and the Australia international will be aiming to add to the 18 league goals that she has scored this season when she starts against Man United.

As for the visitors, they are still without the services of Aoife Mannion and Millie Turner, but Marc Skinner has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Sunday's contest.

Following the comfortable victory over West Ham, Skinner may be tempted to name an unchanged side for the trip to the capital.

Alessia Russo has top-scored for United in the league this season, and she will lead the line for the visitors against Chelsea.

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:
Berger; Bright, Carter, Eriksson; Charles, Cuthbert, Ingle, Harder, Reiten; Kerr, England

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Batlle, Ladd, Thorisdottir, Blundell; Groenen, Zelem; Thomas, Toone, Galton; Russo


SM words green background

We say: Chelsea Women 2-1 Manchester United Women

Sunday's contest is bound to be a tense encounter, and although both teams are in fine form, we think that the hosts have that extra little bit of quality that could prove pivotal, which we believe will help Chelsea retain their league title.




No Data Analysis info

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 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.Over 1.5:data



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Written by
Ben Sully

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How you voted: Chelsea Women vs Man Utd Women

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Draw
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Manchester United Women
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