Chelsea vs Manchester United preview: kick-off time, where to watch live and predictions
Chelsea take on Manchester United in what will be a blockbuster 2023 Vitality Women’s FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium this Sunday.
This year’s FA Cup final sees the Women’s Super League top two face off in front of a sell-out crowd, where Chelsea will look to claim its fifth FA Cup trophy, whilst Man Utd look to bag their first FA Cup trophy.
This year’s final marks a significant milestone as the FA Cup final is to be watched by a record sold-out crowd at Wembley. The 90,000-seat venue saw all the available tickets purchased and is almost double the amount of fans who attended last year’s final. Last year’s cup final hosted just over 49,000 fans and the year before has 40,000 fans.
When and where?
Chelsea vs Manchester United in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup final this Sunday 14 May, with kick-off scheduled for 2.30 pm (UK time) at Wembley Stadium.
Where to watch?
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 1.50 pm.
Live stream: Viewers can also catch the contest live for free online via the BBC iPlayer and Sports website.
Chelsea vs Man United team news
Sam Kerr is a minor doubt for Chelsea after coming off with cramp in her calf in the win over Everton, while Fran Kirby (knee) is injured.
The Red Devils are without Maria Thorisdottir (foot).
Chelsea vs Man United prediction
The two can hardly be separated in the WSL, meaning we could be about to witness a hard-fought slog of an FA Cup final that goes all the way.
However, the Blues’ experience could be the defining factor.
A 1-1 draw, Chelsea to win on penalties.
Chelsea vs Man United match odds
Chelsea to win: 21/20
Draw (90 mins): 5/2
Man United to win: 23/10
Odds via Paddy Power (subject to change).
Pre-Match Thoughts
Chelsea
Speaking in the build-up to the showpiece final, midfielder Cuthbert talked about her affinity with Chelsea and what it will mean to represent the club in front of a packed crowd at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
‘I can’t wait,’ Cuthbert said. ‘Chelsea means the world to me. It’s a great football club and it’s finally here that the women’s game is selling out Wembley on a domestic level. It’s going to be a great day but as players, we need to make sure we play the game and not the occasion.’
Elsewhere, forward Sam Kerr said she relishes the chance to play at Wembley and is looking forward to her loved ones attending on the day.
‘I love playing at Wembley,’ Kerr exclaimed. ‘It’s probably my favourite stadium to play at the world, just based on whenever you go there it’s a big game.
‘I’m really excited, this team steps up when there is a big occasion. It’s going to be amazing, a packed out crowd, my family are coming over for it so it’s going to be very exciting.’
Manchester United
Manchester United’s midfielder Katie Zelem says if they don’t bag a trophy, the season will still be a success and not a failure.
“I’m going to say no,” says Zelem after a slight pause. “I’ve been at the team for five years. We had one year in the Championship, one year of Covid that wasn’t a completed season. So if you look at it from that perspective then being disappointed that we’d not won something would be a crazy jump from having no team at all five years ago.
“We have always set out to get in the Champions League and I think now we seem like we’ve passed it but we’re not secure yet; we’ve still got to play Man City and Liverpool. We can’t take anything lightly. Of course, every one of us would sit here and say they want to win something – we are in a cup final and we are sitting in a great position in the league – but failure is a bit of a strong word. We’ll try and win all our games and see what happens.”
Zelem says her family that is, will be travelling down to watch her lead the team out. “Manchester United lives firmly in my heart,” she says. “Captaining Manchester United, making my debut. This moment [the FA Cup final] will certainly be up there in my highlights. It’s a club I’ve been at for a really long time and supported my whole life. It’s what childhood dreams are made of.”