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A period of more than 500 days and counting since Chelsea last lost a Women’s Super League match. This fact alone underscores the remarkable performance, and whichever way you present the statistics, they are daunting. Consider such examples: “Sonia Bompastor has not lost a WSL fixture in 15 months as coach,” “Bompastor has won 23 of her 26 WSL games undefeated” or “She remains undefeated in 34 domestic games since moving to England.” Each is true, each seems impressive, and—after four wins from four this season—there are no signs of slowing down.

Which Team Will End This Run?

Sooner or later, Chelsea will lose a WSL game. Perhaps not this week, maybe not in the coming year, it might not even be during this campaign. Perhaps it won’t even be for some time, but eventually it is inevitable, and reason suggests that the fixtures where their streak has the highest probability of ending is in one of their travel fixtures against key competitors, the Gunners, City, or Manchester United. On Friday, the latter among them will have their turn, and based on current form they have rarely been better placed to attempt it.

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

Leading sides in the early-season standings go head to head in Leigh Sports Village in an evening match and, even though the WSL season is just four games into the schedule, Manchester United go into Friday’s fixture with the best defensive record in the league. History favours the visitors though, since the most damning stat among them could be this: Manchester United have not defeated their rivals in the WSL.

In fact, they have managed just a single tie from their eleven past WSL encounters. Even so, the home team’s head coach, Marc Skinner, wants his squad to believe. “Without a doubt the most difficult test in the WSL at present, of course it is,” Skinner said. “We want is to break that run when we play but it’s difficult.

“They’re such a highly efficient unit. Possessing incredible quality, squad depth and quality, developed through the years. Anticipate the most demanding of challenges on Friday and we must prepare fully.

“In my view, it is possible to damage Chelsea in possession, but you’ve got to be brave in doing that, as it carries more risk because they’re really good in duels. You have to be confident that you can beat them, you have to demonstrate the opposition that you can.”

Bompastor’s Perspective on the Streak

For Bompastor, who oversaw a domestic treble last season in her first season in English football, the statistics are not significant. “This story about the unbeaten run is more for the media,” she said. “Our season began this season with a clean slate, we won four games all played, and we want to go into every game aiming for victory. We are early in the season, we have not accomplished anything yet.”

The former Lyon coach has fond memories of visiting the venue, as that was the place her team secured last season’s championship on 30 April, via a 1-0 victory thanks to a Bronze goal. Now they meet a United side that has conceded only one goal in four league games and Bompastor noted: “United look strong and they’ve had a positive beginning this term.

“On such occasions, it is typically challenging. Perhaps you create limited opportunities than in other games and you need to ensure you are clinical and effective. I think that’s what determines the outcome in the highest-level contests.”

Key Attackers to Look Out For

The top scorers in the WSL this term are set to feature on either side: United’s Malard has netted four goals from four WSL games, as does Chelsea’s Beever-Jones, who has scored in each match.

The manager remarked, regarding England’s striker's excellent performance: “Since I joined Chelsea, it was clear that she was a really good player boasting great talent, and additionally a well-rounded player.

“Defensively she is great; she is the first one among forwards applying the pressure. In possession, the staff has working hard with her, trying so she can to be as effective possible in many aspects of her game. Currently, she appears very self-assured [and] that’s great the squad.”

Why the Opening Score

A common saying in soccer is that “first goal will be decisive” but this appears especially true in this match; United have not lost in each of the past 25 WSL games in which they have taken the lead. If they can finally stop their wait for a maiden victory against their rivals, it could represent the initial significant twist in the WSL title race.