Chelsea seek to avoid a trophyless season and silence doubts about manager Sonia Bompastor's rebuilding project, while Manchester United aim for their second major trophy since 2024 to prove their WSL progress is real.

Chelsea's precarious position in the WSL, nine points behind Manchester City and vulnerable to dropping out of the top four, makes the League Cup their most significant domestic target. A win would also boost morale after Bompastor's contract extension amid league struggles and squad transition. United, despite reaching the Champions League quarterfinals, remain trophyless this season; a League Cup win would validate their WSL improvement and provide tangible proof of their rise since their 2018 relaunch.

Chelsea must exploit United's alarming set-piece vulnerabilities – conceding 30% of shots from dead balls, the second-highest in the WSL, and 25% of expected goals. United can target Chelsea's weak wide channels (66% of chances conceded there) and force turnovers in midfield, potentially using Keira Walsh's role to disrupt Sonia Bompastor's 3-4-1-2 system.

Chelsea will rely on Naomi Girma and Sam Kerr for set-piece threat, while United will deploy Elisabeth Terland and Melvine Malard to create width and directness. The outcome hinges on which team better neutralizes the other's key weaknesses under intense pressure.