Manchester United Women will attempt to extend their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions when they travel to Berkshire to face Reading Women on Sunday.
The visitors currently sit in second place in the Women's Super League table, while the Royals are in 10th position after collecting seven points from their 11 games.
Match preview
In their final league game of 2022, Reading lost 3-2 away to reigning WSl Champions, and unfortunately for the Royals, they were on the wrong side of the same scoreline against Everton last weekend.
After trailing by two goals at half time, Justine Vanhaevermaet pulled a goal back on the hour mark, but within a minute, Reading conceded a third and, while Deanna Cooper halved the deficit seven minutes later, Reading were unable to find an elusive equaliser.
As a result of the defeat, Reading have now won two, drawn one and lost eight of their 11 league games this season, and after Leicester City claimed their first points of the WSL season with a win last weekend, Kelly Chambers's side are now only four points above the Foxes, who currently occupy the one and only relegation place.
Only one team has conceded more goals than Reading this season and having kept one clean sheet in the WSL this term, Chambers will be aware that her side need to improve defensively if they are to move away from the bottom of the table.
The hosts have picked up all seven of their points this season from home games, although their two home league defeats have both taken place against teams in the top four - Arsenal and Manchester City.
Manchester United began the new year with a faultless display, cruising to a commanding 6-0 victory over Liverpool last weekend.
Lucia Garcia, Alessia Russo and Hayley Ladd all found the net in the first period to give Man United a three-goal lead at the break, before an own goal from Emma Koivisto as well as efforts from Martha Thomas and Rachel Williams wrapped up a comfortable win.
The victory helped the Red Devils move above Arsenal and into second place on goal difference, leaving them three points behind league leaders Chelsea, who have played a game more.
Marc Skinner's side will head into Sunday's contest in a confident mood after winning four and drawing one of their five away league games this season.
They also dispatched Reading with relative ease in their opening game of the season, and they will be looking to replicate that comfortable 4-0 victory at the weekend.
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Team News
The visitors are still unable to call upon the services of Deanne Rose, who is a long-term injury absentee.
Lily Woodham, Tia Primmer and Rachel Rowe may also be unavailable after the trio missed the 3-2 defeat against Everton through injury.
With Chambers set to be without a number of first-team regulars, she could decide to name an unchanged lineup for Sunday's contest.
As for Man United, Leah Galton will undergo a late fitness test after missing the win over Liverpool with a knock picked up during the winter break.
Despite coming off the bench to find the net last weekend, Thomas and Williams are expected to be among the substitutes again, with Skinner likely to select the same starting XI.
After scoring four goals in her last five appearances for the Red Devils, Russo will want to continue her fine form when she leads the line on Sunday.
Reading Women possible starting lineup:
Burns; Bryson, Cooper, Evans; Eikeland, Vanhaevermaet, Troelsgaard, Dowie, Mukandi; Wade, Harries
Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Zelem, Ladd; Garcia, Toone, Parris; Russo
We say: Reading Women 1-3 Manchester United Women
Man United are aiming to keep pace with league leaders Chelsea, and after winning four of their five league away games, we think that they have the quality to record another victory on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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