Man Utd vs Arsenal - WSL preview: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Eyes will be on Alessia Russo & Leah Williamson this week
Eyes will be on Alessia Russo & Leah Williamson this week / Harriet Lander/GettyImages | Visionhaus/GettyImages
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Manchester United and Arsenal meet in the WSL this week in one of the games that could go a long way to defining the 2022/23 season.

Just three points separate the entire top four ahead of kick-off, with United leading and Arsenal in third, in pouncing distance. Chelsea are sandwiched in between and Manchester City are fourth.

United were in action against Brighton in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday, coming through it late on. Arsenal haven't yet played since the international break but will also have one eye on a huge Champions League semi-final trip to face Wolfsburg only four days after this one.

The last time these two met was a pulsating five-goal thriller at the Emirates Stadium in November, which saw the lead swng back and forth and United win it 3-2 with two late goals from Millie Turner and Alessia Russo - Arsenal bid £500,000 for the latter in January.

A United win here would be a huge result for them, opening up a six-point gap on Arsenal and eradicating the advantage of the Gunners' game in hand. But should Arsenal, they would go level on points with United and still have an extra game to play.

The margin for error for both teams going into this one is absolutely tiny.


Where to watch Man Utd vs Arsenal on TV/live stream

  • When is kick off? Wednesday 19 April, 19:15 (BST)
  • Where is the match being played? Leigh Sports Village
  • What time does TV coverage start in the UK? 19:05 (BST)
  • Referee? Abigail Byrne

Country

TV Channel/Live Stream

United Kingdom

BBC Three, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website

United States

Paramount+

International

FA Player


Man Utd team news

Marc Skinner is without Norwegian pair Lisa Naalsund, who could return to action in May, and Maria Thorisdottir. Alessia Russo should start after being withdrawn before the end against Brighton to keep her fresh, while Jayde Riviere is still waiting in the wings for a United debut.


Arsenal team news

Arsenal have confirmed that captain Kim Little won't play again this season due to the hamstring injury she suffered against Bayern Munich last month, joining long-term ACL absentees Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema on the sidelines.

That could leave the Gunners short in midfield, although Lia Walti is available following a recent personal break. Steph Catley could also return, but fellow Australian Caitlin Foord is a doubt. Meanwhile, the influential Katie McCabe is suspended after picking up one too many yellow cards.


Man Utd vs Arsenal score prediction

United needed to put in a monumental effort against Brighton in their FA Cup semi at the weekend but will be buoyed ahead of Wednesday night by reaching their first ever final.

The Red Devils also have a better record in games against Arsenal than against Chelsea or Manchester City. November's 3-2 win was a third over the Gunners, who are massively below full stregnth coming into this game, dating back to 2020. It also took a late Stina Blackstenius equaliser to deny United maximum points at Meadow Park in the WSL last season.

Arsenal have shown in recent weeks that they can never be counted out. They have been in top form since overcoming a blip at the start of 2023 and have developed a resilience that will always be an asset. Even so, the additional loss of McCabe, plus confirmation of Little's long-term absence on top of Mead and Miedema, could be a hurdle too much.

Prediction: Man Utd 2-1 Arsenal


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