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A period of over 500 days and counting from Chelsea suffered a defeat in a Women’s Super League game. That statement alone underscores the remarkable quality, and whichever way you view the numbers, they appear formidable. Take such facts: “The French manager has not lost a WSL game in 15 months as coach,” “She claimed victory in 23 of her 26 WSL matches undefeated” or “She remains undefeated in 34 league games after arriving to England.” Each is true, all sound commanding, and—after four wins out of four this season—there are no signs of easing up.

Who Can End The Streak?

Sooner or later, Chelsea will lose a WSL game. It might not be this week, it might not be in the coming year, it might not even be this season. Maybe it won’t even be during this parliament, but one day it will happen, and logic suggests that the fixtures where their streak has the highest probability of concluding are in one of their travel fixtures against their main competitors, the Gunners, Manchester City, or Manchester United. On Friday, United of that trio will have their turn, and form-wise they have rarely been in a stronger position to attempt it.

The former Chelsea manager stated: ‘It’s rare that coaches are always considered as people.’

The top two teams in the early-season standings face off in Leigh Sports Village in an evening match and, even though the WSL season is just four games old, the Red Devils enter Friday’s fixture with the strongest defensive record in the league. History supports the visitors however, because the most damning stat of all is the following: Manchester United have never beaten Chelsea in the WSL.

Actually, they have managed just a single tie from their eleven past WSL meetings. Even so, the home team’s head coach, Skinner, wants his team to believe. “It’s by far the most difficult challenge in the WSL right now, naturally,” the manager commented. “Our aim is to end their streak when we play but it’s difficult.

“They are a well-oiled machine. They have incredible quality, squad depth and talent, that they’ve built through the years. I expect the toughest of tests this week and we’ve got prepare fully.

“In my view, you can hurt them with the ball, but you’ve got to be brave in doing that, because it carries more risk because they excel in duels. You have to believe in your ability to defeat them, and show the opposition you are capable.”

Bompastor’s Perspective on the Unbeaten Run

For Bompastor, who led a domestic treble last season in her debut campaign in the WSL, the statistics are not significant. “The narrative about the undefeated streak is mostly of interest to the media,” she said. “Our season began anew with a clean slate, with four matches all played, and we want to go into every game with the desire to win. We are early in the season, we have not accomplished much yet.”

Bompastor has fond memories of visiting the venue, as it was where her team secured last season’s title in late April, via a 1-0 victory courtesy of a Lucy Bronze goal. This time they meet a United team who have conceded only one goal in four league games and Bompastor noted: “They appear solid and they’ve had a positive beginning this term.

“In these games, it’s always challenging. Maybe teams generate limited opportunities compared to other fixtures and you need to make sure you are precise and efficient. I think that’s what determines the outcome in the highest-level games.”

Star Scorers to Look Out For

The joint-leading scorers in the WSL this term are set to feature on either side: Manchester United’s Malard has four goals from four WSL games, as does Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, scoring in every game.

Bompastor remarked, regarding England’s striker's flourishing form: “From the beginning joined the club, it was clear that she was a really good player with a lot of talent, and also a well-rounded player.

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

Why the First Goal

A common saying in soccer is that “early goal will be decisive” but it seems particularly relevant here; United are unbeaten in all of the past 25 WSL games in which they scored the lead. If they can at last end their wait for a first win against their rivals, it would be the initial significant turn in the WSL championship battle.