Everton Ladies return from the winter break with a home game against Reading Women in the Women's Super League on Sunday.
The Toffees currently occupy sixth place in the WSL table, while the visitors are five points worse off in 10th position.
Match preview
In his first season as Everton boss, Brian Sorensen oversaw a return of four wins and five defeats from their nine WSL games.
While Sorensen may be frustrated with the number of defeats, only one of those losses - a 1-0 defeat to West Ham United in their opening game of the season - took place against a team that sits outside the current top four.
They faced Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City in their final three home league games of 2022, and after losing all three of those encounters, a home meeting against a struggling Reading side may present Everton with the perfect opportunity to begin the new year with a win.
Although only two teams have kept more clean sheets than the four Everton have recorded in the WSL this season, Sorensen will be keen for his side to improve in the final third.
After scoring 10 goals in their nine league matches, the Toffees are the second-lowest scorers in the top flight, however, they would have taken confidence from their 3-0 victory over Tottenham in their final WSL match of 2022.
Reading have won three of their last four matches in all competitions, although only one of those victories took place in the league.
In their 10 WSL matches this season, the Royals have won twice, drawn once and lost on seven occasions, leaving them near the bottom of the league table.
With Leicester City still yet to pick up a point, Reading are seven points clear of the one and only relegation place.
The Royals showed signs of improvement in their final three league games of 2022, scoring a late equaliser to draw 3-3 with Liverpool and claiming a narrow victory over Tottenham Hotspur, before they showed great character in their 3-2 defeat to reigning WSL champions Chelsea.
However, Reading have lost all of their five away league games this season, and they are also winless in 11 WSL matches on their travels, but they may take inspiration from the fact that their last away win in the top-flight took place against Everton last February.
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Team News
Sorensen has stated that he has the majority of his Everton squad available to him, although Katrine Veje is ruled out through injury.
Sara Holmgaard is expected to be among the substitutes after returning from a loan spell with Danish side Fortuna Hjorring.
Katja Snoeijs scored her first WSL goal in the 3-0 win over Tottenham before the winter break, and she will have the chance to find the net once again when she leads the line on Saturday.
As for the visitors, they could be without the services of Deanne Rose, who has been sidelined since the opening game of the season.
Reading boss Kelly Chambers may decide to use a back three, which could feature Faye Bryson, Gemma Evans and Deanna Cooper.
Emma Harries saw the first half of her season disrupted by injury, but she is expected to partner Lauren Wade in a front two on Sunday.
Everton Ladies possible starting lineup:
Ramsey; Finnigan, Sevecke, George, Stenevik; K. Holmgaard, Bjorn, Galli; Bennison, Park, Snoeijs
Reading Women possible starting lineup:
Burns; Bryson, Evans, Cooper; Eikeland, Primmer, Troelsgaard, Vanhaevermaet, Woodham; Wade, Harries
We say: Everton Ladies 3-1 Reading Women
Despite showing signs of improvement before the winter break, Reading have lost all five of their away league games, and we think that their struggles on the road will continue, as we believe Everton will begin 2023 with a home victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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