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It has been over 500 days and counting from Chelsea suffered a defeat in a Women’s Super League match. This fact by itself highlights the remarkable performance, and whichever way you present the numbers, they are daunting. Take such examples: “Sonia Bompastor is yet to lose a WSL game in 15 months in charge,” “Bompastor has won 23 of her 26 WSL matches undefeated” or “She is unbeaten in 34 league games after arriving to England.” Each is true, all sound commanding, and—after four victories from four this season—there are little indication of easing up.

Which Team Will Stop The Streak?

Sooner or later, the champions are bound to drop points in a WSL game. Perhaps not this week, it might not be in 2025, possibly not even during this campaign. Perhaps it won’t even be during this parliament, but eventually it will happen, and logic suggests that the matches where the unbeaten run is most likely of ending is in one of their away games against key title rivals, the Gunners, City, or United. On Friday, the latter of that trio get their chance, and form-wise they are seldom in a stronger position to try it.

Emma Hayes stated: ‘It’s rare that coaches are always thought about as people.’

Leading teams in the early-season standings face off in Leigh under the lights and, even though the WSL campaign is only four rounds into the schedule, Manchester United enter the match with the best defense in the league. Past encounters favours the visitors however, since perhaps the starkest stat of all is this: Manchester United have not defeated their rivals in the WSL.

Actually, they have secured only one draw from their eleven past WSL meetings. Even so, the home team’s manager, Skinner, wants his team to have faith. “It’s by far the most difficult test in the WSL right now, naturally,” the manager commented. “We want to try to break that run when we play but it’s difficult.

“They are a highly efficient machine. They have incredible skill, depth and quality, that they’ve built through the years. Anticipate the most demanding of challenges on Friday and we’ve got to be ready.

“I really think, it is possible to damage Chelsea with the ball, but you’ve got to be brave in doing that, because it carries more risk because they excel in one-on-ones. You have to believe in your ability to defeat them, and show the opposition that you can.”

The Manager’s Perspective on the Unbeaten Run

According to the coach, who led a clean sweep of trophies last term in her debut campaign in English football, the numbers are not significant. “This story regarding the undefeated streak is more for the media,” she stated. “We started anew with a clean slate, we won four games all played, and our goal is to go into each fixture aiming to win. We are early in the season, we have not accomplished anything so far.”

Bompastor recalls positively of playing at Leigh, because that was the place her team clinched last season’s title on 30 April, via a one-nil win thanks to a Lucy Bronze goal. This time they face a United side that has let in just one in four league games and the coach said: “They appear solid and they have made a positive beginning to the season.

“On such occasions, it is typically tough. Perhaps you create [fewer] chances than in other games and you need to make sure you are clinical and efficient. I think that’s what makes the difference in the highest-level games.”

Star Attackers to Look Out For

The top scorers in the WSL this season are set to feature on either side: Manchester United’s Malard has four times from four WSL games, as does Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, scoring in each match.

The manager remarked, of the England’s striker's excellent performance: “From the beginning arrived at Chelsea, I could recognise that Aggie was a really good footballer with a lot of talent, and additionally a really complete performer.

“Out of possession she is great; she is the initial player among forwards to apply the press. Offensively, we have been working hard with her, trying for her to be as effective possible in many aspects of her play. Right now, she appears really confident [and] that’s great the squad.”

The Importance of the Opening Score

A common saying in soccer that the “early goal is decisive” but it seems particularly relevant in this match; United are unbeaten in each of the last twenty-five WSL games in which they have taken the lead. Should they finally end the drought for a first win against Chelsea, it would be the first major turn in the WSL championship battle.