There will be up to 2,000 fans returning to the Madejski Stadium as Reading host Bristol City in Berkshire on Sunday.
In the first game of the season to allow for fans entry for both sides, The Royals can welcome a percentage to their new permanent home in the tier 2 town. The game is on general sale but people living in the tier three Bristol will not be allowed to attend unfortunately. The game is on FA Player for those that can’t but remember tickets have to be bought in advance and will not be sold on the day.
Anyway, the game!
Both sides return to WSL action after an extended break due to the latest international games. The Royals saw seven players on senior camps while Bristol had the sole representative in Gemma Evans.
Reading had five players in the Welsh squad with Natasha Harding continuing her run of form with a goal while teammates Rachel Rowe and Jess Fishlock also netted. Emma Mitchell left the Scotland fray early through injury while Grace Moloney debuted for the Republic of Ireland.
In the table, Bristol City have a torrid start to the season and sit at the bottom. They are yet to win this campaign but picked up an impressive point against Tottenham last time out with Ebony Salmon netting in stoppage time. The Royals also drew away at Everton.
Tanya Oxtoby’s Bristol have struggled with Covid scares throughout the season so far with a number of senior professionals having to isolate giving opportunities for an array of their youngsters to experience game time.
Reading’s Lily Woodham and Ga-Eul Jeon will hope to face their former side while it will be a first encounter for Jess Fishlock against the side she left when they were Bristol Academy back in 2012. Both Angharad James and Harding have also had spells with Bristol in the past.
LAST TIME THEY MET
The sides met once last season with the game at the Madejski Stadium ending in a 3-3 draw. Remi Allen, Brooke Chaplen and Angharad James were on target for the Royals while Charlie Wellings, Yana Daniels and Ebony Salmon notched for the visitors. It was a point a piece in the WSL, a result that Bristol would happily take this time around.
TEAM NEWS
Reading are keeping eyes on full back Emma Mitchell who suffered an injury while on international duty with Scotland but have a suitable replacement in Woodham waiting in the wings. Ga-Eul Jeon has missed the last few games for unknown reasons while Deanna Cooper returned to the matchday squad in the Continental Cup fixture before the break.
Bristol will be without Meaghan Sargeant who continues to return from an ACL injury sustained last season while Aimee Palmer recovers from a dislocated knee. Jess Wooley and Megan Wynne are long-term absentees. Yana Daniels hopes to return after an injury scare last time out.
TIME: 14:00 Sunday 6th December, Madejski Stadium, Reading.
(Available to watch on FA Player and at the ground as long as you are living in a tier 2 area and buy in advance!)
Below we take a look at the players who could have a big impact on this game:
Reading
ONE TO WATCH – NATASHA HARDING (MF) – POINTS 45 (£40,000)
The Royals captain has already surpassed her fantasy score from last season and is on a run of red-hot form currently. She has been playing further up the field after starting the campaign at right back and has continued to repay that decision. A goal against Everton last time out in the WSL was followed up with a Continental strike at Brighton and an international goal during the break. She will be actively looking to increase her tally this weekend and could be a fantasy differential.
Bristol City
ONE TO WATCH: EBONY SALMON (FW) – POINTS 16 (£25,000)
Over recent years, The Vixens have struggled in front of goal and Salmon has seemed an isolated figure. She possesses that moment of quality that can earn points though as shown in the draw with Tottenham. A lively forward, Salmon again scored in the Continental Cup victory over Lewes and has a rich history against Reading. She scored at the Madejski Stadium in last season’s fixture and will be used as a target for a Bristol side in need of increasing their goals for tally.
Written by Ben Waite (Follow on Twitter at @etiawneb for regular WSL updates!)
*Please note, all injury information we have may not be 100% accurate
You can view and updated absence list here and an updated transfer list here.