Manchester United host Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village in a blockbuster semi-final in the 2023-24 Women’s FA Cup.
Victory would see Man Utd reach the final for a second consecutive season, whilst Chelsea chase an eighth overall appearance in the final – plus a fourth consecutive outing in this competition’s showpiece match.
Team News
Jayde Riviere is a doubt for Man Utd after she missed their WSL win over Everton due to injury prior to the international break.
Gabby George, Jess Simpson, Emma Watson remain ruled out with ACL injuries.
Chelsea have no fresh injury concerns following the international break with Nathalie Bjorn’s availability unclear following a recent calf injury.
Maren Mjelde, Millie Bright (both knee), Aniek Nouwen, Mia Fishel and Sam Kerr (all ACL) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Man Utd face Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday 14 April in a 2:35pm BST kick-off, live on BBC1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man Utd lost their only previous Women’s FA Cup meeting against Chelsea by 1-0 result, which came in last season’s final.
- Chelsea are visiting Man Utd at Leigh Sports Village in the Women’s FA Cup for the first time.
- Six of Utd’s 12 goals in this season’s competition have been scored by Nikita Parris and Rachel Williams, who have both scored three goals apiece.
- Emma Hayes’ Blues have failed to score in the first half in each of their last five Women’s FA Cup matches (W5).
Prediction
Unbeaten in their last five home games across all competitions during which Nikita Parris has scored six goals in three of those matches, Man Utd certainly will be glad to have home advantage given their awful record against Chelsea in all competitions.
Emma Hayes’ Blues meanwhile again saw the Women’s League Cup evade their grasp last time out in a wasteful performance against Arsenal, amidst squad rotation and a congested schedule whilst their FA Cup performances this season have been clinical if scrappy.
Throw in their injury crisis and Chelsea do look slightly vulnerable but the timing of this semi-final could well suit them than if it was played say next weekend, having had the international break to reset and the League Cup heartbreak to mentally motivate them here.
Utd though were unlucky not to force extra time in last season’s final and with the opportunity for revenge on their own turf, I do expect them to make life difficult for the holders but Chelsea might just have that better quality to make the difference.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea
Result: Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea
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