The momentum is going the way of Chelsea at the moment.

Jess Carter and Melanie Leupolz have both tried their luck at running through the United defence but the visitors have been ready at the back.

Fran Kirby, Guro Reiten, Erin Cuthbert and Pernille Harder are among the faces watching on from the stands today.

This could be United's best chance to take the advantage at the top of the table. They've not done much in the way of showing their title credentials so far.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United have had the most of the ball but twice Sam Kerr has found herself in a very dangerous position.

The Reds were wide open in the middle of their defence on both occasions.

Image source, Reuters

Huge save!

Sam Kerr is in behind once again as Millie Turner can't stretch far enough to stop a Melanie Leupolz ball.

Mary Earps shows quick reactions to deny the Chelsea striker from close range.

Chelsea have their first sight of goal and it comes through Sam Kerr.

There's a mistake at the back from the visitors and she seizes the ball, but her effort at Mary Earps is easily saved.

Emma Hayes is on the touchline and managing Chelsea this afternoon despite the worries around if she would be sidelined through illness.

The opening exchanges have been a tad sloppy for both sides, with some wayward passing on display.

Chelsea look dangerous on the break as Lauren James finds a way behind the Manchester United defence, but Millie Turner is there to usher her out of play.

There's a packed crowd in south-west London for this one. It's been a slow start with Manchester United quietly building up.

Image source, Getty Images

We are under way at Kingsmeadow.

Image source, Manchester United

Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps won FIFA The Best Women's Goalkeeper award last month.

And Reds manager Marc Skinner believes her success can be used to inspire the next generation.

“There’s always an opportunity and I think Ian [Willcock – Manchester United’s goalkeeping coach] is going to try and capitalise on that, especially within England and within the local Manchester area; to try and grow our own Mary Earps going forward and to promote the young players who I’m sure she’s inspired.

“I think what we can use it for is the power within this country to keep growing our own players rather than look all around.

“Let’s give a little bit back to the people and the grassroots.”

Want to know how to be a top forward?

There are few better to teach you than Alessia Russo. She's notched eight in the league across this campaign.

BBC Two

Live coverage of this one has just started. You can follow on BBC Two, the BBC iPlayer, or via the media player above.

• Manchester United's only WSL defeat so far this season was against Chelsea in the reverse fixture in November. No side have shipped fewer goals than United so far (8), though 37.5% of those goals conceded came in that one defeat against Chelsea.
• United have lost all three of their away league games against Chelsea, while their biggest ever defeat in the competition was also against the Blues (1-6 at home in September 2021).
• League leaders United are the only side unbeaten away from home in the WSL this season, winning six of their seven games on the road (D1).

Manchester United boss says his side will have to be "ruthless" if they are to succeed against perennial winners Chelsea

“It doesn’t get much bigger,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “It is a good game, it will obviously be a difficult game, if not the most difficult game away to Chelsea.

“I would imagine that Emma (Hayes) will have them fired up and in a good space ready to play us, so we will have to be at our very best for sure.

“We have to be ruthless against Chelsea because we won’t get many chances. We have to take the chances when we create them.”

A win this afternoon would firmly cement Manchester United's title credentials as they search for a maiden crown.

But it's a fixture where history gives provides little inspiration.

United's record against Chelsea is poor. Can that change today?

Read more here

Manchester United's 5-1 demolition of Leicester City moved the Reds back to the top of the Women's Super League table.

Chelsea did not play league football last weekend as they were facing Arsenal in the Continental Cup final - which they lost.

Here's how the teams currently stand in the top half of the table ahead of today's action.

Image source, BBC Sport

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes is at Kingsmeadow today.

She was a doubt after missing Friday's pre-match press conference through illness.