Chelsea Women travel to Manchester United on Sunday looking to secure their first Women’s Super League victory of the season.
Sonia Bompastor’s side were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend despite creating more than enough chances to win.
Manchester United also dropped points, losing 2-1 to London City Lionesses in Eva Olid’s first league match in charge.
The two sides meet at the Progress With Unity Stadium at 12pm BST, with Chelsea trying to extend an extraordinary unbeaten WSL record against United.
Ready for United (A). 🔵 pic.twitter.com/Q5AKGtfuMz
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) September 12, 2026
Chelsea team news vs Manchester United
Chelsea will again be without several attacking options.
Sonia Bompastor confirmed in Chelsea’s official pre-match injury update that Melvine Malard will not recover in time to face her former club, while Mayra Ramirez and Manaka Matsukubo also remain unavailable.
There is more encouraging news surrounding Nathalie Bjorn.
The Sweden defender has returned to full team training and will travel with the squad, although Bompastor said a late decision will be made over whether she is ready for minutes.
Chelsea therefore remain short of natural centre-forward options.
That mattered against Aston Villa.
ReadChelsea’s Chelsea Women 1-1 Aston Villa match report highlighted how the Blues recorded 32 attempts but scored only once before conceding a late equaliser.
Bompastor will want a far more ruthless performance in Manchester.
Manchester United suffer Jayde Riviere blow
United have their own selection issue heading into the game.
Manchester United have confirmed that Jayde Riviere will miss the Chelsea clash, removing an important option from Olid’s defence.
Riviere has developed into an important player at both ends of the pitch for United, so her absence could create an area Chelsea attempt to exploit.
United will nevertheless be determined to respond after beginning the season with defeat against London City.
Simi Awujo scored late in that game, but it was not enough to prevent a 2-1 loss.
Both clubs therefore arrive at Sunday’s contest searching for their first league victory.
Chelsea have remarkable Manchester United record
History heavily favours Chelsea.
According to Opta’s Manchester United vs Chelsea preview, United have never beaten Chelsea in the Women’s Super League.
There have been 13 previous league meetings between the clubs.
Chelsea have won 11, with the other two ending in draws.
Across all competitions, Chelsea have won 17 of the previous 20 meetings.
One of the exceptions came in this fixture last season when the sides drew 1-1 in Manchester.
Opta’s current supercomputer still makes Chelsea favourites on Sunday, giving Bompastor’s side a 48.1 per cent chance of victory across 10,000 simulations.
That record should give Chelsea confidence.
It does not guarantee anything.
United have changed manager, changed personnel and will have their own motivation after a poor opening result.
Key battle: Can Chelsea finally turn dominance into goals?
This is the biggest question for Chelsea.
The performance against Villa was not fundamentally bad.
Bompastor’s side dominated territory, possession and chances.
ReadChelsea subsequently examined how Chelsea’s 32-shot performance exposed a finishing problem Bompastor must solve after one goal proved insufficient.
That problem becomes even more significant while Ramirez, Malard and Matsukubo remain unavailable.
Aggie Beever-Jones gives Chelsea a natural central option, while Lauren James showed her quality by scoring brilliantly against Villa.
But whoever starts needs to punish United when opportunities arrive.
Chelsea cannot repeatedly dominate matches while leaving opponents within one moment of changing the result.
The absence of Riviere could offer another route to attack.
If Chelsea can stretch United, create overloads in wide areas and move the ball quickly around their defensive shape, chances should follow.
The question is whether they take them.
Man Utd Women vs Chelsea Women prediction
Chelsea’s opening result was disappointing, but the underlying performance offered considerably more encouragement than the scoreline suggested.
The Blues also possess an extraordinary record against Manchester United and should again have enough quality to control large periods of the contest.
United’s home advantage and Chelsea’s attacking absences make this far from straightforward.
But Bompastor’s side should create opportunities.
This time, Chelsea need to take them.
ReadChelsea prediction: Manchester United Women 1-2 Chelsea Women
Chelsea should have enough to secure their first WSL victory of 2026/27, but another tight contest looks likely.
Supporters who cannot attend can find the full broadcast details in ReadChelsea’s updated Manchester United Women vs Chelsea Women TV guide.
Manchester United Women vs Chelsea Women: TV channel, kick-off time and how to watch
Manchester United Women vs Chelsea Women: TV channel, kick-off time and how to watch
Chelsea Women Champions League fixtures confirmed as Lyon trip comes early
Chelsea Women Champions League fixtures confirmed as Lyon trip comes early