Reading Women vs Tottenham Hotspur Women: Match Preview

Reading Women are looking to show that Monday night’s defeat against a resurgent Bristol City side was a one-off, as they look back to get to winning ways against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Royals fell to a disappointing 3-2 defeat under the lights of Ashton Gate courtesy of a late Ebony Salmon goal. Kelly Chambers’ side have the opportunity to get back to winning ways in the FAWSL with Tottenham Hotspur the visitors on Sunday to the Madejski Stadium.

Spurs come into this contest on the back of their latest comprehensive 2-0 defeat to seventh-placed Brighton and Hove Albion. Rehanne Skinner’s team haven’t been helped with injuries that have swept throughout the camp.

Form (last five results in the FAWSL)

Reading: L/D/W/D/D

Tottenham: L/L/L/L/D

Team news

Photo by Federico Guerra Moran/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Fara Williams returned for Monday’s encounter against the Vixens, after being sidelined through a long-term illness. The experienced midfielder could make another start for Chambers’ side, especially as experience is usually relied upon heavily in these situations where the team has underperformed in their previous game. On the other hand, we could see Jessica Fishlock return to the starting XI. Ga-Eul Jeon also returned to the squad on Monday, coming on as a late sub in the Bristol City defeat.

The big blow for the Royals team news wise coming into this game is the loss of Rachel Rowe, as Reading’s top scorer will be serving her one-match ban for the late red card she picked up on Monday. Brooke Chaplen is also likely to miss out through illness.

On the injury front for Spurs as already mentioned, it’s not good news for the North Londoners with Skinner likely to be without six to eight of her players.

Predicted Reading XI

(4-4-2) Moloney; Mitchell, Bartrip, Cooper, Harding; Bruton, James, Fishlock, Eikeland; Carter, Harries

Last encounter

Photo by Federico Guerra Moran/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The reverse fixture was remembered for the debut of loan striker Alex Morgan, who is now not with the club anymore after returning back to her parent club Orlando Pride. 1-1 was the score between the two teams earlier this season at The Hive.

Manager thoughts ahead of the game

After the Bristol City defeat, Kelly Chambers spoke to the Reading FC website about the upcoming fixtures and how she wants an immediate reaction.

“Obviously, we have Tottenham on Sunday, which is quite a quick turnaround for us. I know I get a reaction from the team following a loss. I always do. But we can’t keep doing this and having a reaction; we have to have consistency with these games.

“We performed against Arsenal and Man City, we beat Man United. To do what we did against teams like that, you also have to be beating teams that are sat at the bottom of the table.”

Spurs manager Rehanne Skinner spoke to Tottenham Hotspur media on what sort of test she is expecting on Sunday from the Royals.

”Every game, everybody is prepared to fight for it. We all need points, and we all want to create some distance from the bottom of the table. For us, we are looking upwards and getting as close as we can to the top half of the table. That’s been our intent since the start and we are going to keep doing that.”

How to watch or keep up to date with the game, and what time is kick-off?

The game kicks off at 12:30pm on Sunday March 14 and is being broadcast on the FA Player, where you can watch for free when you sign up. Alternatively, if you can’t watch the game, the likes of Ben Waite (Reading Chronicle) and Eve Edmondson (Park Life Sport) will be providing top coverage on social media, so follow them for the action and the report to follow the full-time whistle.