Manchester City welcome Reading to the Academy Stadium on Sunday afternoon for a chance to go another three points ahead of Chelsea, while Reading are fighting to survive in the Women’s Super League.
The Citizens leapfrogged last year's Champions into second place after thrashing West Ham 6-2 last weekend, and now trail six points behind league leaders Manchester United and clinging onto Champions League football qualification.
Chloe Kelly was untouchable last weekend and was unlucky not to get her hattrick. It was also a stellar performance at the other end of the pitch when Khiara Keating stepped up the plate and made some fantastic last-ditch saves to deny West Ham a third goal.
To say both teams need three points is an understatement, mathematically, City are fighting with Arsenal for the final Champions League spot since the title race slipped both their grasp earlier in the season, so need to win all their remaining games to edge out the North London side. Reading's Kelly Chambers will be desperate for points to climb out of the relegation zone. Both sides are fighting for survival in different ways.
City are not at full strength, defensive stalwart Laia Aleixandri and goalkeeper Sandy McIver are out for the remaining four games due to injury. However, Alanna Kennedy and Demi Stokes have also been struggling, but are on the mend - neither players have seen much WSL action this season.
It's a top-versus-bottom-of-the-table clash as the Sky Blues face Reading who have got the better of City just once in top-flight football, back in 2018. Since then, the Citizens have put 26 goals past the Royals resulting in eight wins and two draws.
Gareth Taylor’s side go into the game confident, safe in the knowledge that since being in charge, his team have not conceded against Reading. However, the visitors have managed to put one past Chelsea in March and give big teams a run for their money.
Reading come into the game from a 3-2 loss to Everton last weekend, Justine Vanhaevermaert put the Royals two goals ahead but Everton pulled one back before the break and took over the lead late in the second half. Reading travel to Manchester City’s Academy Stadium as the only WSL clash on Sunday, April 30 kicking off at 2pm, available to watch via FA Player.
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