Everton will be looking to bounce back from successive defeats to put their 2020/21 season back on track while Reading will look to return to winning ways after successive 1-1 draws in the Women’s Super League.
Willie Kirk’s Everton head into the fixture off the back of a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Chelsea last weekend. The Toffees have had a strong start to the season which has included the 2019 FA Cup final at Wembley where they eventually lost to Manchester City after extra time. The defeat took its toll on the squad with vital names missing and fitness lacking ahead of the defeat to Chelsea last time out. Meanwhile, Reading ground out a 1-1 draw at Tottenham with Brooke Chaplen on the scoresheet early on in that tie.
Remarkably, Reading have only scored one goal in the second half of a WSL game this season which was on the opening day as Danielle Carter tapped home a consolation in the 6-1 defeat to Arsenal.
The Royals have a trio of former Evertonians in their ranks with Fara Williams, Angharad James and Chaplen looking to feature in Saturday’s tie.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Everton were the victors in a WSL meeting in Widnes back in January this year. A hattrick from the now departed Chloe Kelly gave the Toffees a 3-1 victory with Fara Williams netting a consolation from the penalty spot. The two sides managed to fit in both league fixtures during the curtailed 2019/20 campaign with the Royals winning the reverse tie. They won 3-2 at Adams Park with three of the four goalscorers now having moved on, Lucy Graham being the only one to have remained.
TEAM NEWS
After a strong start in both the league and the cup, Everton are starting to feel the pressure of injuries. Both Lucy Graham and Valerie Gauvin missed the defeat to Chelsea after being injured in the FA Cup final. Rikke Sevecke also left the pitch through injury last weekend after a head clash with Beth England. In Willie Kirk’s press conference he announced he had everybody available for selection apart from Gauvin who will be out until after Christmas with a muscle injury. Meanwhile, Gabrielle George is a long-term absence after suffering an ACL injury back in March leaving the Toffees looking slightly short in the defensive department.
UNLIKELY TO PLAY*: Valerie Gauvin, Gabrielle George (Injury), Elise Hughes, Hannah Coan (Loaned Out), Kika Van Es (Left Club)
Reading have a near fully fit squad with only Fara Williams doubtful. England’s most capped player has missed the last few games with an injury picked up away at West Ham in Round 2. She was again absent for the midweek clash with the Hammers in the Continental Cup. Their only other concern may be that of Deanna Cooper who was replaced in the first half of their 1-1 draw with Tottenham last weekend by Kristine Leine.
UNLIKELY TO PLAY*: Fara Williams, Deanna Cooper (Injury)
TIME: 16:30 Saturday 14th November, Walton Hall Park, Liverpool
(Available to watch on BBC Red Button for UK and FA Player for international broadcast)
ONE TO WATCH
IZZY CHRISTIANSEN (MF) – POINTS 71 (£50,000)
The England international has been on fire since returning to action this season. Joining from Lyon, Christiansen returned to Everton and has been a mainstay in midfield. With her set-pieces and passing, Everton look dangerous in attack and the Royals midfield will have a job on their hands to keep Christiansen quiet.
JESS FISHLOCK (MF) – POINTS 27 (£60,000)
Wales most capped player joined the Royals on loan from OL Reign and is starting to find her feet in the WSL. Her performance against Tottenham earned her a place in the official WSL Team of the Week and Fishlock is starting to look a threat going forward. An experienced head in the midfield, Fishlock has had to step up in the absence of Fara Williams and provided a pin point pass in the build-up to Chaplen’s goal against Spurs.
Written by Ben Waite (Follow on Twitter at @etiawneb for regular WSL updates!)
*Please note, all information we have may not be 100% accurate
You can view an updated absence list here and an updated transfer list here.