WSL league winners Manchester City travel to their rivals Manchester United’s Leigh Sports Valley for the 1:30pm kick off on Saturday, October 9, with both teams looking to claim the city’s bragging rights once again.
The home side look to continue their upward form after a positive result against Birmingham City, where they were victorious in a 2-0 win with goals from Leah Galton and Ella Toone.
On the other side of Manchester, the Blues are looking to regain their form after three successive defeats to Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and West Ham United.
However, City are still without key players such as Club Captain Steph Houghton, Lucy Bronze and Ellie Roebuck, meaning we could see experienced midfielder, Jill Scott, slot back into the back line.
Over on the red side, Marc Skinner’s side have no fresh injury concerns but are still without key defender Millie Turner after she sustained a dislocated knee in their 3-1 against Leicester City earlier in the season.
“We’re in good spirits and we’re in good health,” said Skinner.
The boss provided the Reds’ fans with an insight into Turner’s recovery: “she’s doing some great boxing…I would not like to take a punch from Millie”.
The United manager Marc Skinner confirms Martha Thomas and Kirsty Smith will not to be involved and explains “it could be a couple more weeks”.
Despite this, the Red Devils look to continue their positive start to the season with Skinner claiming: “we’re in a good space and we’re ready to go”.
United have taken nine points from a possible 12 after beating Reading, Leicester City and Birmingham City.
Man City have had a poor start to the season after only winning one from their opening four games with that win coming on the opening day against Everton.
After a negative start to the season, City striker Ellen White explains: “we want to get back to winning ways in the league and we’ll be doing everything we can to perform”.
The manager Gareth Taylor believes his side can turn their season around with England defender Demi Stokes backing him to do so.
“We’re confident…at the end of the day it’s us that are playing. We’re sticking together, we’re not blaming anyone because we’re all in it together.”
Manchester City currently hold the bragging rights after winning two out of three WSL Derby fixtures, but the Red Devils are looking to end this run, making it City’s fourth consecutive loss.
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