Reading face a second trip to London in the space of four days on Saturday when they travel to The Hive to face Tottenham Hotspur.
The Royals were on the end of a disappointing Continental Cup defeat to West Ham on Wednesday losing 3-0. This was the first game back from an international break where eight of their first team were on international duty the two weeks previous.
Tottenham come into the game off of defeat as well losing 2-0 in their Continental Cup tie with Chelsea, after returning from the international break with only Josie Green and Hannah Godfrey representing. Spurs have lost their last four games in all competitions since a 4-0 victory over London City Lionesses. Spurs have also been without half of their management duo with Karen Hills isolating after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.
When it comes to the WSL table, Reading have the advantage sitting sixth with seven points while Spurs are ninth with a sole point. An opening day draw with West Ham has been followed by four straight league defeats and the North London side have only scored three goals compared to the Royals six. Reading come off the back of an impressive 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the league while Tottenham faced a 6-1 drubbing by North London rivals Arsenal.
Former Royal Gemma Davison will hope to face off against her former side while Emma Mitchell will face a first trip back to Tottenham since leaving the club after a loan spell from Arsenal last season. Reading defender Molly Bartrip will face Spurs for the first time, a side she spent a duration of her youth career with.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Reading were 3-1 victories at Adams Park back in December 2019. The WSL tie was dominated by the Royals who registered 25 shots. Spurs took the lead however through Siri Worm on 52 minutes before Jo Potter equalised with 13 minutes remaining. Remi Allen put the Berkshire ahead with two minutes to play before Amalie Eikeland secured the three points in the tenth minute of stoppage time. In the only other meeting between the sides last season, Reading were comfortable 4-0 winners in the Continental Cup tie at The Hive.
TEAM NEWS
Tottenham have a host of injuries with five senior players likely to miss out. Anna Filbey could return to the starting lineup after pulling out of the latest Wales squad while the game seems to early for American superstar Alex Morgan to make her long awaited debut. Chloe Peplow is a long-term absentee while Jessica Naz is back in training after a lengthy period out.
UNLIKELY TO PLAY*: Alex Morgan, Jessica Naz, Aurora Mikalsen, Chloe Peplow, Anna Filbey (all injured)
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 Grace Moloney who was replaced in the warm-up midweek by Erin Nayler as an injury precaution. The New Zealand stopper will be looking to make her WSL debut this weekend if needed.
UNLIKELY TO PLAY*: Fara Williams (Injury)
TIME: 14:00 Saturday 7th November, The Hive, Barnet.
(Available to watch on FA Player)
ONE TO WATCH
Tottenham Hotspur
ROSELLA AYANE (FW) – POINTS 4 (£20,000)
It’s been a slow season for the Spurs forward with an immediate suspension to serve a hindrance. She is now back in the side though and has looked dangerous over the last few appearances. Born in Reading, Ayane will be looking to get one over her hometown side who struggled defensively midweek in the Continental Cup. With the imminent debut of Alex Morgan, Ayane will need to up her game further and show her worth for the forward role. A first goal of the season could set the 24-year-old’s season in motion.
Reading
EMMA MITCHELL (DF) – POINTS 45 (£40,000)
The 28-year-old full back joined the Royals from Arsenal in the summer after spending the latter portion of the 2019/20 season on loan with Tottenham. Mitchell will face her first return to Spurs since leaving the club and with the added impetus of having played for both North London sides will have an added desire to impress. She has been Reading’s star player over the last few games netting double digit hauls in three of her first five WSL games when it comes to ShePlays fantasy points.
*Please note, all information we have may not be 100% accurate