Preview: West Ham United Women vs. Manchester United Women

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

Manchester United Women will return from the international break with a trip to the capital for Sunday’s meeting with West Ham United Women.

The Red Devils occupy fourth place in the Women’s Super League table, while the Hammers begin the weekend in 10th position.

Match preview
© Reuters

After pulling off a surprise win against Arsenal, West Ham were brought down to earth by Everton in their final match before the international break.

Martina Piemonte and Aurora Galli both found the net in the final 10 minutes to condemn the Hammers to their ninth league defeat of the season.

Having picked up 16 points from 14 matches, Rehanne Skinner’s side are currently sitting five points clear of the one and only relegation place.

After coming up short in their away meeting with Everton, West Ham will now return to the Chigwell Construction Stadium, where they will have the chance to record consecutive home league victories for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

The Hammers are also looking to claim a head-to-head victory over Man United for the first time since picking up a 3-2 win in December 2019.

Man United’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League received a significant setback in their away meeting with Arsenal prior to the international period.

Arsenal racked up three first-half goals before Lucia Garcia netted a 96th-minute consolation in Man United’s fourth league defeat of the season.

As a result of that disappointing loss, Marc Skinner’s side are now seven points adrift of the the top three with eight matches left to play.

While Man United may struggle to close the gap, they will still be motivated to embark on a consistent run of form after losing three of their last five league games.

The Red Devils will be confident about claiming maximum points on Sunday, having won their last four matches against West Ham by a combined 14-0 scoreline.

West Ham United Women Women’s Super League form:

West Ham United Women form (all competitions):

Manchester United Women Women’s Super League form:

Manchester United Women form (all competitions):

West Ham are unable to call upon Abbey-Leigh Stringer due to injury, while Shelina Zadorsky is with the Canada squad at the Gold Cup.

With Zadorsky unavailable, Shannon Cooke could be brought into the side to feature in a back three alongside Hawa Cissoko and Amber Tysiak.

Skinner is expected to select a front-two pairing of Vivianne Asseyi and Riko Ueki, who have scored eight of West Ham’s 15 league goals this season.

As for the visitors, they remain without the injured quartet of Gabby George, Emma Watson, Evie Rabjohn and Hinata Miyazawa.

Jayde Riviere is closing in on a return to fitness, but Sunday’s contest will come too soon for the 23-year-old full-back.

Brazil international Geyse will also be absent for the weekend, with the forward currently representing her country at the Gold Cup in the USA.

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:
Arnold; Cissoko, Tysiak, Cooke; Shimizu, Hayashi, Gorry, Ziu, Smith; Ueki, Asseyi

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Blundell, Le Tissier, Turner, Galton; Naalsund, Zelem; Malard, Toone, Garcia; Parris

We say: West Ham United Women 1-3 Manchester United Women
Man United may be experiencing a difficult season, but after winning each of their last four matches against West Ham, we think the Red Devils will do enough to claim another victory over the Hammers.

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

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