The Women's Super League got a new leader last weekend, with Manchester City now looking to strengthen their grip on top spot.They took advantage of Chelsea's dropped points with their 2-1 win over Everton, but Manchester United will be keen to put their neighbours under pressure this week.A 1-0 loss to Aston Villa saw United not only miss out on the chance to move second but also ended their unbeaten start to the league season last weekend.However, a confidence-boosting 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Women's Champions League at Old Trafford quickly got them back on track.Even at this point in the season, anything less than a win is not ideal for either team's title aspirations, but with bragging rights on the line too, both City and United will be keen to leave the Etihad Stadium with a win.Despite currently sitting top, City are only second-favourites to win the title with the Opta supercomputer rating their chances at 25.6%, behind Chelsea's 70%. United, meanwhile, only top the pile in 2.1% of season simulations.Here, using Opta insights, we look ahead to this weekend's Manchester derby.What's expected?Historically, this fixture has often favoured City, but United have been making strides in recent seasons and put in strong showings against their cross-city rivals in 2024-25.City won four and lost none of their first five WSL home meetings with rivals United (D1). However, they were beaten 4-2 at the Etihad in this exact fixture last season.However, in saying that, only Arsenal and Chelsea (both 1.5) average more points per game against City in the WSL than United (0.9, 10 in 11 games).And having also drawn with City at Old Trafford at the end of last season, United are aiming to go three without loss against the Citizens for the first time in the top-flight.But the supercomputer does not expect them to continue that streak, with the Red Devils given a 21.3% chance of victory, and only a further 22.8% likelihood of claiming a point.City, meanwhile, are heavy favourites at 55.9%, and a win on Saturday would extend their lead at the top of the WSL to four points ahead of Chelsea's game against Liverpool on Sunday.City firing on all cylindersAfter losing to Chelsea in their opening match, City fans may have been worried about what was to come this season, but under Andree Jeglertz, they have continued to go from strength to strength.City will be the first team to start a matchday as the WSL leaders this far into a season other than Chelsea, since the Citizens themselves were top heading into MD21 of the 2023-24 campaign, before ultimately finishing as runners-up on goal difference. City have won each of their last seven matches in the WSL – their longest winning streak in the competition since a run of 14 between November 2023 and April 2024.In fact, they have only won more points than their current 21 at this stage of a campaign in 2017-18 (22), with that also the only previous WSL season in which the Citizens won eight of their opening nine games.City have been particularly strong in front of goal, having already hit the back of the net 20 times this term, averaging 2.5 goals per game, which is more than any other team in the competition.By contrast, last campaign, City scored 49 times across the whole of the season, averaging 2.2 goals per game.They have only failed to score in one of their last 46 matches in the competition (a 2-0 loss away at Chelsea in November last year).And having missed Khadija Shaw for the run-in last season, she is back fit and firing, netting five goals already this term, including the winner against Everton last Saturday.Nobody has attempted more shots (44), had more Opta-defined 'big' chances (12) or accumulated more expected goals (7.2 xG) than the Jamaican in the WSL this season, as she is currently averaging a goal every 142.2 minutes.But City will come up against one of the sternest defences in the WSL, a challenge Jeglertz will be relishing.United hoping to steady the shipUnited fell to a disappointing loss to Villa last weekend, despite having 15 shots overall, as they struggled to take their chances in a match they largely dominated.And the Red Devils are looking to avoid suffering back-to-back defeats in the top flight for the first time since May 2024.They impressed again in Europe in midweek, though, edging past PSG to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League, and a return to the road may be exactly what United need to get back on track in the WSL.United are the only side to have a 100% record away from home in the WSL this season, winning all four such matches so far.Only once before have they ever won five in a row on the road in the same top-flight campaign – winning their first five matches in the 2020-21 season.Like City, United have a striker in top form, with Melvine Malard sitting top of the goalscoring charts alongside Shaw on five goals, while the France international also netted the opener against PSG.But at the other end, United's usually reliable defence has been slightly shaken lately.After keeping clean sheets in three of their first four matches, United have failed to register a shutout in any of their last four in the WSL, conceding five goals.In the last four matches, they have faced 56 shots and 6.1 expected goals against (xGA), compared to 33 attempts worth 3.7 xGA before that.Safia Middleton-Patel was in goal for their midweek outing at Old Trafford, with Phallon Tullis-Joyce missing out with a knock, but Marc Skinner will hope to get his number one back between the sticks as they look to cause an upset against the league leaders.PLAYERS TO WATCHManchester City – Vivianne MiedemaAfter scoring just one goal in seven WSL matches against United for Arsenal, Vivianne Miedema netted on her only previous league appearance against the Red Devils for City, in this exact fixture last season.She is City's joint-second highest scorer this season, with three goals, netting all of those from 'big' chances, including the opener against Everton last weekend.She has also created more chances than anyone else in the side (12), though she has only registered one assist in the WSL, from 1.2 expected assists (xA).Manchester United – Ella TooneElla Toone has made more appearances in WSL Manchester derbies than any other player (11).And no player has been directly involved in more Manchester derby goals than Toone (five – three goals, two assists, the same as Shaw).She scored a hat-trick in this exact fixture last season, scoring with all three of her shots at the Etihad in January from 1.2 xG.