Manchester Metropolis and Manchester United go face to face in an enormous WSL conflict on the Etihad Stadium this weekend, hoping to surpass the 31,000 attendance once they final performed a Manchester derby on the venue again in September 2019.
Each groups go into the sport in good kind, with Metropolis profitable 9 video games in a row in all competitions and United beginning the season emphatically and claiming vital wins over Arsenal and Aston Villa in current weeks to sit down second within the WSL desk.
The 2019 Etihad derby resulted in a slender 1-0 Metropolis win. On the time, it was United’s first ever prime flight recreation they usually have doggedly been making an attempt to shut the hole on their native rivals ever since.
Metropolis have by no means misplaced towards United within the WSL, with the latter’s solely derby wins so far coming within the Continental Cup. However these groups have by no means been extra evenly matched, so Sunday guarantees to be an enchanting encounter.
When is kick off? Sunday 11 December, 12:30 (GMT)
The place is the match being performed? Etihad Stadium
TV channel/dwell stream? BBC One/iPlayer (UK), FA Participant, DAZN (Worldwide)
What time does protection begin within the UK? 12:15 (GMT)
Referee? Abigail Byrne
Lauren Hemp made her return to motion from the bench as Manchester Metropolis beat Liverpool within the Conti Cup in midweek, with the winger having beforehand been sidelined since early November with a thigh harm.
Spanish midfielder Vicky Losada can be in competition to return for Gareth Taylor’s aspect, after returning to coaching on Friday following a knee harm.
Adriana Leon is the one actual doubt for Manchester United. The Canada worldwide missed the midweek Conti Cup recreation with flu and continues to be monitored.
Aoife Mannion is nearing a return to full health after spending the final 9 months rehabbing from ACL surgical procedure and will make it onto the bench earlier than the winter break.
These two golf equipment have by no means been on such a fair footing going right into a Manchester derby, with United all the time beforehand seen because the underdogs given Metropolis’s file of success.
That’s not the case, mirrored in United beginning the season as they’ve and matching Chelsea, Arsenal and Metropolis at this stage virtually midway by the marketing campaign.
Each groups have the potential to attain objectives and can wish to win. However a draw is a greater consequence for United as it is going to at the least preserve the three-point cushion over their rivals.
Prediction: Man Metropolis 2-2 Man Utd
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