Man Utd vs Man City - WSL: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
Manchester United and Manchester City go head to head this weekend in the first Manchester derby of the WSL season.
United have made a reasonable start to the season in what could have been difficult circumstances following a tumultuous and challenging summer. They put a 6-1 thrashing by Chelsea behind them last weekend by comfortably beating Birmingham for a third win in four.
City, meanwhile, have struggled. From pushing Chelsea all the way to the line last season, injuries and a lack of pre-season have taken a massive toll. They have lost three of their opening four WSL games so far and were knocked out of the Champions League in the qualifying rounds.
This is everything you need to know about the game…
How to watch Man Utd vs Man City on TV/live stream
What time is kick off? Saturday 9 October, 13:30 (BST)
Where is it being played? Leigh Sports Village
TV channel? BBC One/BBC iPlayer (UK), FA Player (US/international)
Referee? Rebecca Welch
Man Utd team news
United boss Marc Skinner has close to a fully fit squad available to him, which means that his biggest calls will come down to which players are tactically best for this game.
Senior centre-back Millie Turner remains sidelined with a knee injury. Striker Martha Thomas is also still out with a knee problem, while full-back Kirsty Smith is not ready to return either.
Man City team news
City continue to be without a host of players after an injury-plagued start to the season. Captain Steph Houghton is still sidelined, while Lucy Bronze continues her recovery from knee surgery. Esme Morgan is another defender missing and Alanna Kennedy was also absent last time.
Midfielder Keira Walsh only lasted 45 minutes against West Ham last weekend and City were only able to name four substitutes on the bench.
Man Utd vs Man City predicted lineups
Man Utd: Earps; Blundell, Mannion, Thorisdottir, Batlle; Zelem, Groenen, Staniforth; Hanson, Toone, Galton
Man City: Taieb; Beckie, Scott, Greenwood, Stokes; Angeldal, Walsh, Weir; Stanway, White, Hemp
Man Utd vs Man City head-to-head record
Manchester derby games since United were formed in 2018 have tended to be tight affairs.
In a first ever meeting, these two sides played out a historic match in the opening game of the 2019/20 WSL season in front of more than 31,000 people at the Etihad Stadium, with City winning 1-0 thanks to a wonder strike from Caroline Weir.
United went on to win 2-0 in a Continental Cup tie shortly afterwards, while City won 3-2 when they met in the FA Cup later that season. United also edged a Conti Cup game on penalties after a 0-0 draw in November 2020. Last season's league meetings were a 2-2 draw and a 3-0 City win.
Man Utd vs Man City score prediction
City have always been favourites in this fixture over the last two years owing to their more established history at the top of the women's game. But form suggests this might be United's first opportunity to beat their local rivals in the WSL, having only ever done it in the Conti Cup.
Despite their injuries, City still have a squad flush with talented players and so to write them off because of a the lack of numbers available to Gareth Taylor would be wrong.
That being said, United are in better form, with a recent thrashing by Chelsea appearing to be a blip at most. This is their big chance against City, but the question is can they take it?
Prediction: Man Utd 2-2 Man City
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