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It has been over 500 days and counting since Chelsea last lost a WSL game. That statement alone highlights the remarkable quality, and no matter how you view the numbers, they are daunting. Take these facts: “The French manager is yet to lose a WSL game in 15 months as coach,” “She claimed victory in 23 of her 26 WSL matches without defeat” or “The coach is unbeaten in 34 league games since moving to England.” All are true, all sound commanding, and—after four victories out of four this season—they are showing no signs of slowing down.

Which Team Will Stop This Run?

Sooner or later, Chelsea will lose a WSL game. It might not be now, maybe not in the coming year, it might not even be during this campaign. Perhaps it won’t even be during this parliament, but eventually it will happen, and reason suggests that the matches where the unbeaten run has the highest probability of ending is in their away games against key title rivals, Arsenal, City, or United. On Friday, the latter among them get their chance, and based on current form they have rarely been in a stronger position to try it.

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

Leading sides in the initial standings go head to head in Leigh under the lights and, although the WSL campaign is only four rounds old, the Red Devils go into the match with the best defense in the league. Past encounters supports Chelsea though, since perhaps the starkest stat among them is the following: United have not defeated their rivals in the WSL.

In fact, they have managed only one draw from their 11 previous WSL meetings. Even so, United’s manager, Skinner, urges his team to have faith. “Without a doubt the most difficult challenge in the WSL right now, naturally,” Skinner said. “Our aim is to break that run when we play but it is a challenge.

“They’re such a highly efficient unit. They have exceptional quality, squad depth and quality, that they’ve built through the years. Anticipate the toughest of challenges on Friday and we’ve got to be ready.

“In my view, it is possible to hurt Chelsea in possession, but you need to be brave in doing that, because it’s higher risk since they’re really good in duels. It is essential to believe that you can defeat them, you have to show Chelsea you are capable.”

The Manager’s View on the Streak

According to the coach, who led a domestic treble last term in her debut campaign in the WSL, the statistics mean very little. “The narrative regarding the undefeated streak is mostly of interest to the media,” she said. “We started anew with a clean slate, with four games all played, and we want to go into each fixture with the desire to win. We are only the beginning, we did not achieve much yet.”

The former Lyon coach recalls positively of playing at Leigh, because that was the place her team clinched the previous championship in late April, with a one-nil win courtesy of a Lucy Bronze header. Now they meet a Manchester United team that has let in just one in four league games and the coach said: “They look strong and they’ve had a good start this term.

“On such occasions, it is typically tough. Perhaps teams generate [fewer] chances than in other games and it is crucial to make sure you are precise and effective. In my opinion that is determines the outcome in the highest-level contests.”

Star Scorers to Watch

The joint-leading goalscorers in the WSL this season are set to feature for both teams: United’s Melvine Malard has netted four goals from four WSL games, just like the Blues' Aggie Beever-Jones, who has scored in each match.

The manager remarked, regarding the English forward's excellent performance: “Since I arrived at Chelsea, it was clear that Aggie was a highly skilled player boasting great ability, and additionally a well-rounded performer.

“Defensively she has been outstanding; as the first one in the frontline to apply the press. Offensively, we have been working hard with her, aiming for her become as successful possible in many aspects of her game. Currently, she is very self-assured [and] that’s great for the team.”

Why the Opening Score

A common saying in football that the “first goal is crucial” but this appears particularly relevant in this match; United are unbeaten in each of the last twenty-five WSL fixtures in which they scored the first goal. If they can finally stop their wait for a maiden victory against Chelsea, it would be the initial significant turn in the WSL title race.