Preview: Reading Women vs. West Ham United Women – prediction, team news, lineups

Reading Women will attempt to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat in the Women’s Super League when they play host to West Ham United Women on Sunday.

Like the Royals, West Ham are also searching for their first league win of 2023 after picking up just one point from their three WSL games this year.

Match preview

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Reading would have entered the international break in low spirits after losing 2-0 away to relegation rivals Liverpool.

A fifth straight league defeat ensures the Royals head into Sunday’s encounter in 11th position – just one point above the sole relegation place, which is currently occupied by Leicester City.

The FA Cup has proven to be a welcome distraction for the Royals after they booked their place in the quarter-finals with a penalty shootout win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

The Royals will face Chelsea in the last eight, but before they can begin to prepare for that difficult cup tie, they will have to negotiate league fixtures against West Ham and Arsenal.

Having collected all seven of their WSL points from home matches this season, Reading will know games like Sunday’s encounter could have a significant impact on their survival bid.

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In contrast to their hosts, West Ham were knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend despite scoring a 92nd-minute equaliser.

Dagny Brynjarsdottir‘s late leveller sent the tie to extra time, but with neither side able to find a winning goal in the additional 30 minutes, a penalty shootout was required.

Aston Villa ultimately prevailed 7-6 on penalties to leave Paul Konchesky‘s side to focus solely on their league campaign for the remainder of the season.

Although the Hammers held title-chasing Arsenal to a goalless draw in their most recent league outing, they are still waiting for their first WSL win of 2023.

However, West Ham do have the chance to complete a league double over Reading after beating Sunday’s opponents 3-2 when the two sides met in October.

Reading Women Women’s Super League form:

Reading Women form (all competitions):

West Ham United Women Women’s Super League form:

West Ham United Women form (all competitions):

Team News

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The Royals are still unable to call upon long-term injury absentee Deanne Rose, while Deanna Cooper could also be unavailable after missing the FA Cup tie against Spurs.

January arrival Easther Mayi Kith made her Reading debut last weekend, and she may retain her place in the back three alongside Gemma Evans and Emma Mukandi.

In fact, Reading boss Kelly Chambers could be tempted to select the same lineup that started against Tottenham last weekend.

As for the visitors, Jess Ziu is continuing her rehabilitation from the anterior cruciate ligament injury she sustained in October’s League Cup encounter with London City Lionesses.

Konchesky is also without the services of January signing Amber Tysiak, who is still recovering from an injury issue, which has delayed her West Ham debut.

Fellow winter signing Amalie Thestrup was presented with her first start for the club last weekend, and she is expected to retain her place in the forward line with Konchesky set to name an unchanged lineup.

Reading Women possible starting lineup:
Moloney; Evans, Mayi Kith, Mukandi; Woodham, Moore, Vanhaevermaet, Eikeland; Harris, Rowe, Wellings

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:
Arnold; Shimizu, Fisk, Cissoko, Smith; Longhurst, Brynjarsdottir, Hayashi; Snerle, Asseyi, Thestrup

We say: Reading Women 1-2 West Ham United Women

West Ham are unbeaten in their last six competitive meetings with Reading, and after beating the Royals 3-2 in October, we think they will claim a narrow victory on Sunday to record a league double over their opponents.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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