Can Man Utd become the fourth team to lift the Women's League Cup? | OneFootball

Women's club football returns this weekend with the League Cup final to be played at Ashton Gate on Sunday.

The current holders Chelsea will host Manchester United United with Marc Skinner's team having the potential to make history once again.

Until now, there have only been three winners of the League Cup since its inception in 2011 with Arsenal the current record holders having lifted the trophy seven times. Manchester City have won it four times while the Blues are currently on three titles.

United then could lift the trophy for the first time while becoming just the fourth team to lift the League Cup.

However, Skinner's side have struggled against Chelsea having won only once against them – an FA Cup semi-final win back in April 2024 – losing 15 of 18 fixtures against the Blues in total.

There is some cause for optimism though, the league game at the start of this season was an entertaining fixture with Anna Sandberg and Wieke Kaptein on target for both teams.

These two faced off in the FA Cup just last month at Kingsmeadow. Sonia Bompastor's team were much improved in this game but needed an extra-time winner from Naomi Girma to eventually advance into the next round.

Sam Kerr had given Chelsea the lead in that game before Simi Awujo equalised shortly afterwards. However, Bompastor will be without Kerr and compatriot Ellie Carpenter for this one while United will be without their metronomic midfielder Hinata Miyazawa due to those players featuring in the Asian Cup right now.

Chelsea of course, have plenty of depth and should be able to deal without their two Australia internationals. Miyazawa though will be a big miss, the 26-year-old has played in every game for United this season and could see the Red Devils playing a potentially different playing style.

The Blues will still be the favourites of course but considering United's improved form this season and solid performances against Chelsea so far this campaign there is reason to believe they can break the three-team grip on the League Cup this Sunday.