Friday’s matchup features two teams that are vying for the Women's Super League title. While Manchester United is the second in placement with 32 points, Manchester City is climbing the table at the third with 30 points. It is a direct confrontation that can decide the winner of the league. 

The Red Devils come from a defeat suffered by 2-0 against Reading last Sunday and need the three points to equalize their points again with Chelsea, who leads the competition. On the other hand, the Citizens came from a heroic victory against Joe Montemurro's Arsenal, getting ever closer to the dispute.

City have won eight of their last nine games in all competitions and United have won three and lost three of their last six games in all competitions. City has the best attack of the season, with 43 goals, one more than Chelsea. 

This will be the third Manchester Derby in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, with the Reds yet to win either of the previous two. 

The game kicks off at Academy Stadium at 7 p.m. (GMT)

Read more: "It's the best game you can have after a defeat" - Casey Stoney ahead of the Manchester Derby 

  • Team News

Despite Sunday's defeat, Manchester United comes from great individual highlights on the team. Leah Galton and Kirsty Hanson renewed their contracts until June 2024, while Casey Stoney and Ella Toone have been nominated for the WSL Manager of the Month and Player of the Month awards for January.

Moreover, Stoney told about Maria Thorisdott’s Manchester United debut at a press conference: "I thought she did really well. You have to take the positives out of the game, and she was definitely one of those."

On the other side, for Ellen White, this edition is the most competitive in recent years. "I think potentially, this league title race is the best ever. (...) The WSL is getting bigger and better - more competitive with so many players wanting to come over and play here”. 

Gareth Taylor conceded in his pre-match press conference that the derby may come too soon for both Sam Mewis and Demi Stokes. Esme Morgan, Janine Beckie and Jess Park return to the squad too. For him, "We want the city to be blue after this occasion”.

  • Previous Meetings

City progressed to the Continental Cup quarter-finals despite losing on penalties to United, following a 0-0 draw in our final group stage game.

For the FA WSL, United and City tied after the Red Devils fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to draw 2-2 with the Citizens.

Read more: The Warm Down: Manchester City hold on at Arsenal to move up the table

  • Predicted Line-Ups

Manchester City: Roebuck; Bronze, Houghton, Dahlkemper, Greenwood; Stanway, Walsh, Wier; Kelly, Hemp, White. 

Manchester United: Earps; Thorisdottir, Turner, Turner, Batlle; Zelem, Ladd; James, Toone, Galton; Press. 

  • Ones to Watch

The first Citizen high spot is Ellen White, who is the City scorer of this season with eight goals and two assists. With the goal she scored against Arsenal, she became the all-time top scorer in FA WSL history with 55 goals. Besides her, Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly are having a fantastic season. The last one has six goals and eight assists. 

From the other side of Manchester, the English girls Lauren James, Ella Toone and Leah Galton are the highlights. The young Lauren is the current promise of the Reds, making a lot of difference on the field. Toone and Galton are United top scorers this season, with six goals each one. 

Read more: Abby Dahlkemper on her move to Manchester City, the WSL, her teammates and more

  • How to Watch

The game will be shown live in the UK on BT Sport 2.

US: NBCSN

Globally where it is not shown on TV, watch on the FA Player.