Noah Rosenstein
Updated on: October 16, 2024 9:17 pm GMT
Manchester City Women are set to host West Ham United Women this Sunday in a much-anticipated Women’s Super League match. The game takes on added significance as both teams approach it with contrasting fortunes. City looks to extend its unbeaten start, while West Ham searches for its first league win of the season.
Manchester City’s Strong Start
Manchester City Women have been in impressive form, securing three victories and one draw in their first four matches this season. Their campaign kicked off with a commanding 5-0 away win against Paris FC in the Women’s Champions League qualifying round. They followed that with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Arsenal in their league opener.
Last weekend, City edged out Brighton & Hove Albion with a narrow 1-0 triumph, courtesy of Khadija Shaw’s first-half goal. Despite their domestic success, the side is mindful of an upcoming clash against reigning European champions Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League. However, City aims to keep its momentum going with three points against West Ham.
Recent Dominance Over West Ham
The Manchester side has dominated its recent meetings with West Ham, winning their last six encounters. This includes a decisive 5-0 victory in their most recent meeting in April. City will be looking to carry this strong record into the match at the Academy Stadium on Sunday.
West Ham’s Struggles
In contrast, West Ham United Women has experienced a challenging start to the season, claiming just one point from their first two league outings. They faced a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Manchester United in their opener and managed only a draw against Liverpool last weekend. The Hammers salvaged a point thanks to an 85th-minute equaliser from Riko Ueki.
Despite their league struggles, West Ham bounced back midweek with a resounding 6-1 victory over Portsmouth in the Women’s League Cup. Ueki scored again in that match, along with goals from Seraina Piubel, Emma Harries, and Viviane Asseyi, giving the team a crucial boost ahead of the crucial league fixture against City.
Injury Concerns
Both teams are managing injury concerns heading into the match. Manchester City will likely be without goalkeeper Sandy MacIver and defender Risa Shimizu, both sidelined with long-term knee injuries. Full-back Leila Ouahabi is also a doubt after missing two matches and will need to be assessed before Sunday’s game. However, the return of Jill Roord from injury could provide a valuable boost for City.
For West Ham, manager Olli Skinner has missed the services of defender Kirsty Smith and midfielder Jess Ziu. Ruby Doe will also need to be evaluated after leaving the pitch early in the match against Portsmouth. Despite these challenges, Skinner may revert to the squad that began the draw with Liverpool.
Projected Lineups
Both teams are expected to make some changes, with Manchester City likely to field the following lineup:
- Yamashita
- Casparij, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Layzell
- Park, Hasegawa, Miedema
- Fujino, Hemp, Shaw
For West Ham, a possible starting lineup could include:
- Szemik
- Cooke, Tysiak, Zadorsky
- Li, Gorry, Brynjarsdottir, Denton
- Harries, Asseyi
- Ueki
Looking Ahead
As both teams prepare for this weekend’s match, Manchester City appears to be in a stronger position. They will strive to maintain their unbeaten run while trying to build confidence ahead of a crucial European matchup. West Ham, on the other hand, will aim to turn their fortunes around and secure a long-awaited victory.
This match promises to be a captivating encounter, showcasing the talents and determination of both sides. Fans will be eager to see if Manchester City can continue their dominance, or if West Ham will be able to claim a much-needed victory.
As the match approaches, excitement builds around the Women’s Super League, reflecting its growing popularity and competitiveness in women’s football.
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