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

The Red Devils will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the Women's Super League season, while the visitors will be looking for a response after suffering a surprise defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Match preview

Having collected 12 points from six league games, Man United head into the weekend in third position and four points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

While they may be frustrated at the fact they have drawn three of their six WSL matches, they will be pleased to be one of two teams yet to lose a top-flight game this season.

They are also the second-highest scorers in the WSL after taking their tally to 17 points with an empathic 5-0 victory over West Ham United last weekend.

Geyse, Millie Turner and Nikita Parris all found the net to give the Red Devils a 3-0 half-time lead, before Lucia Garcia and Melvine Malard grabbed a goal apiece in the second period.

That impressive result extended their unbeaten home run to 17 competitive matches, and they will look to continue that fine record when they swap Leigh Sports Village for the grandeur of Old Trafford.

While the Red Devils will be buoyed by a dominant victory, Man City will have to pick themselves up after being stunned by Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

Lee Geum-min scored the only goal of the game in the 81st minute to condemn the Citizens to their first home league defeat since November 2021, leaving them in sixth position and two points adrift of their local rivals.

After losing to Arsenal prior to their meeting with Brighton, Man City are now at risk of losing three consecutive WSL matches for the first time in over two years.

They will go into Sunday's contest with aspirations of claiming their first away victory over Man United in the WSL, having drawn two and lost one of their previous three meetings in the competition.

After winning four of their five competitive away games this season, Man City certainly have reason to believe they can claim all three points on Sunday.

Manchester United Women Women's Super League form:

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Manchester United Women form (all competitions):

Manchester City Women Women's Super League form:

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Manchester City Women form (all competitions):

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Team News

The Red Devils remain without the services of long-term absentees Lucy Watson, Gabby George and Aoife Mannion.

Man United boss Marc Skinner has revealed that 18-year-old defender Evie Rabjohn will also miss out with a foot injury, while Spain international Irene Guerrero is still a couple of weeks away from returning to action.

After seeing his side produce a dominant display against West Ham, Skinner could be tempted to name an unchanged starting lineup for the Manchester derby.

As for Man City, they will welcome back Alex Greenwood, who has passed the necessary concussion protocols following a three-game absence.

After having to settle for a place on the bench last weekend, Lauren Hemp could be brought into the starting lineup for the derby.

Bunny Shaw has scored two league goals this season, and she will be looking to add to her tally when she leads the line on Sunday.

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:

Earps; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Toone, Zelem, Miyazawa; Parris, Galton, Geyse

Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:

Keating; Morgan, Kennedy, Greenwood, Aleixandri; Roord, Hasegawa; Kelly, Fowler, Hemp; Shaw

We say: Manchester United Women 2-1 Manchester City Women

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