Preview: Chelsea Women vs. Manchester United Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Chelsea are looking to win the competition for the third consecutive season, while the Red Devils are hoping to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.

Match preview

Chelsea thrashed Leicester City 6-0 in midweek to within a point of Women's Super League leaders Man United, who have played a game more.

The Blues are hoping to get the better of Man United in both the title race and the FA Cup, as they look to retain both trophies.

The West London club have negotiated a tricky run of games to reach the FA Cup final, facing WSL teams in each of the four rounds they have competed in.

They have eliminated Liverpool, Arsenal, Reading and Aston Villa to secure their place in the FA Cup final for the seventh time in their history.

Chelsea thrashed Arsenal 3-0 in the 2020-21 final and beat Manchester City 3-2 after extra time at Wembley last year, and they will now be hoping to use those experiences to win the competition for a third consecutive campaign.

Man United are making their first appearance in the Women's FA Cup final after beating Sunderland, Durham, Lewes and Brighton & Hove Albion to book their place at Wembley.

Their semi-final meeting with Brighton was the first time that they faced a WSL side in the FA Cup this season, and it proved to be a difficult test, requiring an 89th-minute winner from Rachel Williams to claim a 3-2 win.

Like Sunday's opponents, the Red Devils are hoping to end the 2022-23 campaign with two pieces of silverware, which would represent a significant achievement for the Man United Women's side, who have not won a trophy since they were founded in 2018.

Marc Skinner's side will travel to Wembley in a confident mood after winning their last seven matches in all competitions, scoring at least three goals in six of those contests.

However, the Red Devils will be concerned by the fact that they have never beaten Chelsea in a competitive game, with their previous nine meetings producing one draw and eight defeats.

Chelsea Women Women's FA Cup form:

Chelsea Women form (all competitions):

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L

D

W

W

W

Manchester United Women Women's FA Cup form:

Manchester United Women form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

W

Team News

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has revealed that she has the majority of her squad available to her, although Millie Bright and Fran Kirby remain sidelined.

After being forced off against Everton last weekend, Sam Kerr was left on the bench for the 6-0 win over Leicester in midweek, but she is expected to start at Wembley.

Pernille Harder has scored four goals in Chelsea's last two games, and the Denmark international will retain her place for the FA Cup final.

As for Man United, Skinner has said that every player in his squad is available for selection apart from Maria Thorisdottir.

Katie Zelem will return to the Man United starting lineup after missing the win over Tottenham through suspension.

Alessia Russo will lead the line for the Red Devils, and she will be looking to add to the 12 goals that she has scored in all competitions this term.

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:

Berger; Perisset, Carter, Eriksson, Charles; Leupolz, Cuthbert; James, Harder, Reiten; Kerr

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:

Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Ladd, Zelem; Parris, Toone, Galton; Russo

We say: Chelsea Women 2-1 Manchester United Women

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