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A period of over 500 days and counting from the London club suffered a defeat in a WSL match. That statement alone highlights the remarkable performance, and whichever way you view the statistics, they appear formidable. Consider such examples: “The French manager has not lost a WSL game after 15 months in charge,” “She claimed victory in 23 of her 26 WSL matches without defeat” or “The coach is unbeaten in 34 league matches since moving to England.” Each is accurate, each seems impressive, and—following four wins from four this season—they are showing no signs of slowing down.

Who Can Stop The Streak?

Sooner or later, the champions will lose a WSL match. Perhaps not this week, maybe not in the coming year, possibly not even 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 is most likely of concluding are in their away games against key competitors, Arsenal, Manchester City, or Manchester United. On Friday, the latter among them get their chance, and based on current form they have rarely been better placed to attempt it.

Emma Hayes stated: ‘I don’t think managers are always considered as people.’

Leading teams in the initial table face off in Leigh Sports Village under the lights and, even though the WSL season is just four games into the schedule, the Red Devils enter Friday’s fixture with the best defense in the league. History favours the visitors however, since perhaps the starkest stat of all could be the following: United have never beaten Chelsea in the WSL.

In fact, they have managed just a single tie from their 11 previous WSL encounters. Even so, United’s manager, Marc Skinner, urges his squad to have faith. “Without a doubt the toughest test in the WSL at present, of course it is,” Skinner commented. “We want to try to end their streak when we play but it’s difficult.

“They are a well-oiled machine. Possessing exceptional skill, depth and talent, that they’ve built over many seasons. I expect the toughest of tests on Friday and we’ve got prepare fully.

“In my view, you can hurt Chelsea in possession, but you’ve got to show courage to attempt it, because it carries more risk since they excel in duels. You have to believe in your ability to defeat them, you have to demonstrate the opposition you are capable.”

Bompastor’s View on the Streak

According to the coach, who oversaw a domestic treble last term in her debut campaign in English football, the statistics mean very little. “This story regarding the unbeaten run is mostly of interest to the journalists,” she said. “Our season began this season with a clean slate, with four matches all played, and we want to go into each fixture aiming for victory. It is only the beginning, we did not achieve much yet.”

Bompastor recalls positively of visiting the venue, as that was the place her team secured the previous championship on 30 April, via a one-nil victory courtesy of a Lucy Bronze header. Now they face a Manchester United team who have let in just one in four league games and Bompastor said: “They look strong and they have made a positive beginning this term.

“In these games, it’s always challenging. Maybe teams generate limited opportunities compared to some of the fixtures and you need to make sure your side is precise and efficient. In my opinion that is makes the difference in the highest-level games.”

Star Attackers to Look Out For

The joint-leading scorers in the WSL this term are set to feature on either side: United’s Melvine Malard has netted four times from four WSL games, just like the Blues' Beever-Jones, scoring in each match.

The manager said, regarding the English forward's excellent performance: “Since I joined Chelsea, I could recognise that she is a highly skilled player with a lot of talent, and additionally a well-rounded performer.

“Out of possession she is great; as the first one in the frontline to apply the press. In possession, we have been putting in effort with her, aiming for her become as successful as she can be in many aspects of her play. Right now, she appears really confident [and] that’s great the squad.”

The Importance of the Opening Score

It is a cliche in football is that “first goal will be decisive” but it seems particularly relevant in this match; United are unbeaten in all of the last twenty-five WSL games in which they scored the first goal. Should they at last end their wait for a first win over their rivals, it could represent the initial significant turn in the WSL title race.