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

On Sunday, Manchester United Women will face holders Chelsea Women in the Women's FA Cup semi-finals at Leigh Sports Village.

The last time that the two sides faced off in the FA Cup was in last season's final when Sam Kerr scored the winning goal to lead Chelsea to a 1-0 victory.

Match preview

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Manchester United have experienced an underwhelming season, including an early exit from the Champions League and a failure to make it out of the League Cup group stage.

The Red Devils have also struggled for consistency in the WSL, with Marc Skinner's side currently sitting in fourth spot and six points adrift from the top three.

Nevertheless, Man United still have the opportunity to make the campaign one to remember if they can lift their first-ever major trophy.

The Red Devils are competing in the semi-finals after following wins over Newcastle United and Southampton with a commanding 4-0 victory in the last eight against fellow WSL side Brighton & Hove Albion.

Man United are now just one game away from reaching back-to-back finals, but will have their work cut out to seal a place at Wembley, having failed to win any of their 11 competitive matches against Chelsea.

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The Blues saw their quadruple hopes quashed by a 1-0 extra-time defeat in the League Cup final against Arsenal prior to the international break.

However, Chelsea still have the opportunity to win three pieces of silverware in Emma Hayes's final season in charge before she leaves to become the new head coach of the USA Women's national team.

Hayes has led Chelsea to their fourth consecutive FA Cup semi-final after overseeing an extra-time win against West Ham United as well as narrow 1-0 victories over Crystal Palace and Everton.

The five-time winners of the competition will go into Sunday's clash as the favourites, especially as they have won each of their last nine competitive away matches.

Chelsea have also won each of their previous eight matches against Man United, including a 3-1 victory in January's league meeting at Stamford Bridge.

Team News

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Man United remain without the services of Gabby George, Emma Watson and Jess Simpson, with the trio all working on their recoveries from anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Having reported no fresh injury concerns, Skinner could be tempted to select the same side that started the commanding 4-1 win over Everton before the international break.

Leah Galton and Hinata Miyazawa are likely to be used from the bench after the pair returned from injury to feature as substitutes against the Toffees.

As for the FA Cup holders, they still have to cope without the services of Maren Mjelde, Aniek Nouwen, Mia Fishel and Kerr.

Millie Bright has stepped up her recovery from a knee injury, but the Chelsea defender is still some way off from returning to action.

Lauren James will continue to offer one of Chelsea's main attacking threats, having scored 15 goals in 25 competitive appearances this season.

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup: Hampton; Perisset, Carter, Buchanan, Charles; Cuthbert, Leupolz; Rytting Kaneryd, Nusken, James; Ramirez

We say: Manchester United Women 1-3 Chelsea Women

Man United may have won five consecutive home games, but we think that they will fall short against a Chelsea side that has won nine straight away matches and is targeting a fourth consecutive FA Cup final appearance.