Manchester City are the visitors to Madejski Stadium on Sunday as both sides look to return to winning ways after defeats last time out.
Gareth Taylor takes his Manchester side to Berkshire after a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea last Sunday. Chloe Kelly was on the scoresheet from the penalty spot, but it ultimately ended in disappointment for the Citizens.
Meanwhile, Kelly Chambers will be hoping her Reading side can be more clinical after dominating the game with Birmingham City but coming away with nothing, losing 1-0.
There is one point separating the sides ahead of the game with Manchester City in 5th on seven points and Reading, one below on six. Before last weekend, City were unbeaten in their last 14 games. In the WSL this season they have registered victories over Tottenham and Aston Villa before drawing with Brighton while Reading have wins against Aston Villa and West Ham.
It’s the last game before another international break with Manchester City facing 11 players heading to England camp as their squad boasts an array of current international stars. They will then return ahead of their 2019 FA Cup final against Everton. Taylor could well use this as a game to experiment with his side, after giving 18-year-old Jess Park her full WSL debut last time out.
LAST TIME THEY MET
The two sides only met once during the 2019/20 season where Man City triumphed 2-0. The WSL tie back in September was the second game of the league campaign for each with Pauline Bremer netting twice. Reading were succumbed to one shot on target in a dull affair in High Wycombe. They were due to meet again in April 2020 but due to Covid and the early termination of the campaign this game was obviously cancelled.
TEAM NEWS
Reading have a full squad to utilise this weekend. Both Danielle Carter and Fara Williams appeared off the bench last weekend with Williams carrying a slight knock which forced her off two rounds ago, away at West Ham.
Manchester City have more injuries to worry with a series of long-term absentees. Aoife Mannion continues rehabilitation after an ACL injury while Lauren Hemp will again miss out after a hamstring injury sustained in the Community Shield final. Megan Campbell is also a likely absentee again, but it is unsure what injury the Irish international is missing through. Her only involvement this campaign was as an unused substitute in the Community Shield final.
TIME: 14:00 Sunday 18th October, Madejski Stadium, Reading.
(Available to watch on FA Player)
Below we take a look at some players who could have a big impact on this game:
ONE TO WATCH – EMMA MITCHELL (DF) – POINTS 42 (£40,000)
For the second week running, there isn’t any looking beyond the Scottish defender. She is vital for the Royals in both defence and attack and will need to bring her experience to the forefront if the Royals want to come away with anyth
ing. Although defeated by Birmingham last time out without scoring, Mitchell registered 9 bonus attacking points.
UNDER THE RADAR – GRACE MOLONEY (GK) – POINTS 25 (£25,000)
Reading’s number one is on a run of fine form at present. She was goalkeeper of the round for Round 3 scoring 14 points with a crucial penalty save against West Ham. Moloney was unlucky last weekend as the only shot she faced went in, but with the news of her return to the Ireland international squad, she will be buoyed ahead of this tie. With Erin Nayler waiting in the wings, the 27-year-old ‘keeper could prove an important asset to overcome City. She will need to be at her best and is likely to be busy, with the opportunity to pick up saving bonus points.
ON A BUDGET – LAUREN BRUTON (FW) – POINTS 27 (£20,000)
After a lengthy period out through injury, Lauren Bruton has worked her way back into the Royals starting line-up. She has two goals so far and if Reading are to get a return from this game, she seems the most likely source. Playing anywhere across a front three, Bruton gets herself into the positions a perfect striker should. She could benefit playing off of Steph Houghton and combined with Carter’s speed could cause problems for the defensive pairing of Bonner and Houghton.
UNLIKELY TO PLAY*: No absences to report.
ONE TO WATCH: CHLOE KELLY (FW) – POINTS 44 (£50,000)
Since the move from Everton, Chloe Kelly has been a danger in Man City’s ranks. The England international will be looking to continue her goalscoring form. She netted from the spot in the defeat to Chelsea last weekend and will look to cause trouble for the Royals makeshift right back of midfielder Natasha Harding.
UNDER THE RADAR – GEMMA BONNER (DF) – POINTS 35 (£45,000)
The perfect category for Gemma Bonner; getting along brilliantly with her role but certain people not seeming to notice how good she is……
FANTASY BUDGET – JESS PARK (MF) – POINTS 0 (£15,000)
Remarkably, Park is the only player in the Manchester City squad without a senior international call-up to her name. The 18-year-old midfielder made her first WSL start last weekend in the defeat to Chelsea. Manager Gareth Taylor has shown faith in her by starting her in such a high-level tie, and if she was to retain that starting place, could prove a bargain for ShePlays fantasy managers.
UNLIKELY TO PLAY*: Aoife Mannion (Injury), Lauren Hemp, (Injury), Megan Campbell (Injury), Tyler Toland (Loaned out)
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 and updated absence list here and an updated transfer list here.