The Women’s Super League returns this weekend and for Manchester United, they host Hope Powell’s Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, October 16 in the 12:00 kick off.
United head into the game following a disappointing Cup defeat to Aston Villa on penalties prior to the international break, however Marc Skinner’s side remain undefeated in their first two game of the WSL.
As for their opponents, Brighton head into the game having won just one of their previous three games, losing to current league leaders Arsenal and Birmingham in the Cup.
Having won five of their opening seven games last season, Powell will be hoping to regain that form, following a poor start to this season.
However, the Red Devils are currently unbeaten in the league, having scored six goals and are yet to concede in two games, so the away side will have a tough test.
In their opening two WSL games, United have remained unchanged as Skinner looks to have found his strongest 11 however, the manager will be forced into making at least one change this weekend.
Unfortunately for Skinner, striker Alessia Russo will be out of the fixture due to injury which forced the Euros winner to miss out on the Lionesses’ recent friendlies. Russo returned to training on Wednesday, but Skinner confirmed the fixture comes too soon for the goal scorer.
With Russo set to miss out, Skinner could opt for a like-for-like replacement in Martha Thomas, a substitute seen throughout United’s opening two games. Likewise, Skinner may resolve the loss of Russo through one of his new additions, Adriana Leon, and Nikita Parris.
Both new signings are yet to start a WSL fixture for the Reds, however both started in the recent Cup game against Villa which saw Parris net her first goal for United.
Throughout pre-season, Leon left her mark on the team with her threatening runs down the flanks but has only made cameos from the bench in the WSL. Skinner could turn to the Canadian international with the option of playing also new addition, Lucia Garcia, up front.
Despite scoring six in 2 games, the attacking change could help to unlock more of the Reds potential as the side have struggled to be clinical with their chances.
The Reds helped themselves to four goals in the first 45 minutes against Reading, but they failed to score in the second half despite having 24 shots throughout. Similarly, the Red Devils had 20 shots against West Ham the following week yet only converted two.
For the visitors, a tough start to the campaign has seen them concede five and have only converted two, however breaking through the United defence could pose a problem for Brighton.
Skinner’s side are yet to concede in the league and with the newly found partnership of former Brighton defender Maya Le Tissier and returning Millie Turner, they look difficult to break down.
In the past, Brighton have struggled to take their chances against United, having not scored against the Reds since their 1-0 win in 20/21 season – their first win over United in the topflight. Since then, United have come away with back-to-back wins, scoring three without conceding.
The Reds will be hoping to make it three wins from three on Sunday with kick off at 12:00 live on BBC Two.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
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