Rosa Simkin (@rosatalksball)
Date – 21/01/24
Time – 12:30 (GMT)
Location – Stamford Bridge
Where to watch – BBC Two (& FA Player – Excluding UK)
My Prediction – Chelsea 2 – 1 Manchester United
Chelsea’s Mia Fishel celebrates scoring a 70th minute equalizer vs West Ham last time out in the FA Cup – the goal which led to ET and a Chelsea victory.
Image Credit – Michael Hewitt (The FA), Getty Images
This Sunday (21st January) will see one of the biggest games of this year’s Women’s Super League Season as reigning champions Chelsea take on title contenders Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, in their first league game of 2024. A result crucial for both sides, a win for Chelsea retaining the Blues 3 point advantage at the top of the leaderboard and a win for The Red Devils bringing them ever closer to the top 3 and Champions League football, as they sit in 4th position. Can Manchester United take victory in the champions back yard or will Emma Hayes’s side come out, once again on top? Catch the latest team news, form guide, my predictions and more below!
Head to Head:
Total Matches (WSL) – 7: Chelsea (6), Manchester United (0), Draw (1)
Last Time Out:
Last season Chelsea were victorious in both league ties, the first in November where the side won away to the red’s 1 – 3, with Alessia Russo netting for the home side and Sam Kerr, Lauren James and Erin Cuthbert for the visitors. In their second outing Chelsea won 1 – 0 at home, with Aussie forward Sam Kerr securing the three points for Emma Hayes’s side.
Chelsea:
The home side are on track for silverware, as they aim to take their 6th WSL title on the bounce and they will do just that if they maintain a perfect run for the remainder of the season, as they currently hold a three point advantage to their competitors.
They come into the clash with United off the back of an anxious 3 – 1 victory at home to West Ham in the FA cup last weekend. After Viviane Asseyi stunned the hosts to take an early lead, the task ahead was steep for Chelsea but after a Mia Fishel 70th minute equalizer meant extra time, Cuthbert and Beever-Jones netted to make it 3-1 and Chelsea succeeded in advancing to the fifth round of the cup.
Hayes has become one of the most respected coaches in football throughout her career at Chelsea and her understanding of the tactical side of the game and her ability to dissect patterns is largely responsible. Chelsea’s play style has developed massively since she joined them in 2012 but their are a few distinctive areas where they really stand out. Her continued use of a double pivot and number 10 to cover ahead of the back line enables the wing-backs to press higher whilst also preventing opponents build through their single pivot. Teams building short is a common trait and Hayes has adopted the ideal defensive approach, whilst also enabling her side to press and play attacking football. Building on this, her use of wide play and pressing traps as well as continued use in possession is another key to the Chelsea puzzle, with the majority of goal scoring chances caused through play out wide.
Chelsea made a big announcement on Friday, with defender Niamh Charles putting pen to paper on a new contract which will keep her at the club until 2027. Charles remains a key player in Chelsea’s plan so the news is a boost for the side.
“We’re taking nothing for granted. They (Manchester United) know how to stay in that race, and there are still many turns to happen across the rest of the season. They have more goal threats then they’ve ever had so I don’t underestimate Man Utd. They’re in the title race considering the number of players they’ve signed and the quality they’ve got.” – Emma Hayes (Chelsea Manager) on Manchester United test.
The Future of Chelsea:
In November, it was announced that after an illustrious 11 year career at the club, Emma Hayes will be departing Chelsea at the conclusion of the WSL season to join up with the US Women’s National Football Team. Since, rumors have flown about her successor and I think we have an answer.
Initialy, NWSL (USA) based managers Casey Stoney and Laura Harvey were rumored to be in the running. It is now thought however that former Lioness and now San Diego FC manager Stoney is unlikely to return home from the United States to pursue the vacancy as she would rather stay put and Harvey, current manager of Seattle Reign is also unlikely to fill the gap after stating recently in an interview with the times, “It is always nice to feel like you are wanted, but my home is in Seattle right now.” Elisabet Gunnarsdottir, who coached Swedish side Kristianstads DFF from 2009 to 2023 is now the leading contender to take over for the Blue’s. It is also important to mention that the decision has been made that Hayes’s successor will be a woman as players stated to the club that they would prefer for that to be the case.
The boots are big to fill, with 47-year-old Hayes securing Chelsea 15 trophies during her period with the side and taking an unbelievable 2.25 points per game.
“This is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history. I’ve dreamed about coaching the USA for a long time so to get this opportunity is a dream come true. I know there is work to do to achieve our goals of winning consistently at the highest levels. To get there, it will require dedication, devotion and collaboration from the players, staff and everyone at the US Soccer Federation.” – Emma Hayes on USWNT opportunity.
Team News:
Out – Aniek Nowen (ACL), Sam Kerr (ACL), Millie Bright (knee), Kateřina Svitková (knee), Catarina Macario (ACL).
In – Nathalie Björn (Transfer in from Everton)
Chelsea were offered another huge injury blow last month as striker and Aussie super star Sam Kerr was ruled out for the remainder of the season after an ACL injury during a training session at Chelsea’s warm weather training camp in Morocco during the winter break. It means we have seen the last time Kerr will play under Hayes at Chelsea and potentially not see her donning Chelsea blue again as her contract runs out at the end of the season.
Sam Kerr was ruled out towards the end of last month with an ACL injury.
Image Credit – Eddie Keogh (FA), Getty Images
Kerr’s injury adds to the ever-increasing list of women’s players affected by the ACL injury. At least 13 WSL players are currently going through recovery for the injury at this moment in time and with female footballers three to six times more likely than their male counterparts to suffer the injury, it’s safe to say they won’t be the last. The ACL or anterior cruciate ligament is one of the key ligaments that help stabilize the knee joint, it is located int he middle of the knee and connects the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). As a result of the injury, the knee becomes very weak and unstable meaning it is impossible to put a heavy workload on the joint without surgery and recovery. It has a 9 – 12 month recovery time. The absence of Kerr leaves some big shoes to fill, with the striker at the forefront of Chelsea’s success during the last few years.
“There’s been good conservation this week between the team about the things we need to do (to respond to Kerr’s injury). It’s a collective responsibility as a team. We’ve identified all the right areas, but we have to put it into action.” – Chelsea manager Emma Hayes on how her side needs to respond to Sam Kerr’s Injury.
Form:
Chelsea Most Goal Involvements (23/24):
1. Sam Kerr – 13 (9 goals, 4 assists)
2. Lauren James – 9 (7 goals, 2 assists)
3. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd – ( 2 goals, 7 assists)
4. Agnes Beever-Jones – 6 (6 goals, 0 assists)
4. Niamh Charles – 6 (2 goals, 4 assists)
Manchester United:
Mark Skinner’s side have never taken three points of Chelsea in the women’s super league with 6 losses and one draw in the seven games the side’s have faced eachother. Off the back of a defeat to Liverpool last time out in the WSL however, United will be looking to bounce back and prove their potential against Chelsea and although it’s a very difficult task to pip Chelsea of a win at home, it’s far from impossible and the unfamiliar feel of Stamford Bridge could make success all the more likely for the side.
United enter this clash with a dominant victory last time out against Newcastle in the FA cup. Their attacking and defensive prowess proved too much for the National League side, with United winning 5 – 0. The goals coming from Ella Toone, Nikita Parris (x2) Rachel Williams and Melvine Malard.
Rachel Williams celebrates scoring UTDs 4th goal against Newcastle last weekend
Image Credit – Ben Roberts, Getty Images
There has been a lot of talk surrounding United’s camp for numerous reasons recently. The main however, surrounding goal keeper Mary Earps and her future as her contract runs out in the Summer. United have struggled in recent seasons to keep star players, loosing striker Alessia Russo to Arsenal on a free in the summer and Ona Battle also on a free to Barcelona before that! They seem adamant they want to keep Earps however, after turning down a record bid from Arsenal in the Summer window to sign the Lionesses number one. With interest from PSG, Spanish clubs and more United have a decision to make. Cash in during the ongoing winter transfer window, or risk loosing her like they did others on a free.
“It feels like that in every way, doesn’t it but the reality is we can’t forget what it takes to beat Chelsea at their home ground. We know we need to do that, but we’ve also got to perform. I think from my perspective, all the things that we can manage: our attitude, the way we play, the commitment to winning. There aren’t many that go to Chelsea and win anyway, so our aim is to Chelsea and win of course”. – Mark Skinner (Manchester United Manager) on Chelsea battle.
Team News:
Out – Gabby George, Aoife Mannion, Evie Rabjohn, Emma Watson & Hinata Miyazawa
In – Lisa Naalsund
Form:
Manchester United Most Goal Involvements (23/24):
1. Nikita Parris – 12 (10 goals, 2 assists)
2. Ella Toone – 11 (4 goals, 7 assists)
3. Rachel Williams – 7 (6 goals, 1 assist)
4. Melvine Malard – 6 (5 goals, 1 assist)
4. Lucía García – 6 (3 goals, 3 assists)
My Prediction – I believe that it will be an end to end game, with both teams getting plenty of opportunities in and out of possession. Although it will be well fought, I think the class of Chelsea will shine through, and they will take the three points. The difference is narrow however, and Manchester United could walk away with three points at Stamford Bridge, but they’d really need to make use of the spaces and prevent Chelsea’s use of the wider channels.
Match Week 11 Fixtures (19th – 21st January) – All Times GMT:
19th:
Leicester City 0 – 1 Aston Villa (COMPLETED)
20th:
Arsenal 2 – 1 Everton (COMPLETED)
21st:
Chelsea vs Manchester United – 12:30, BBC Two**
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Bristol City – 14:00, The FA Player
Manchester City vs Liverpool – 14:30, Sky Sports**
West Ham United vs Tottenham Hotspur – 18:45, Sky Sports**
*International only, due to the 2:45 – 5:15 Blackout period the match will not be streamed live in the UK.*
**All games can also be streamed on the FA Player, Overseas only.**
WSL Table:
