As game three out of our trio of home games approaches on Wednesday evening at Adam’s Park after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Notts County, here are a few things that you can expect to see if you make the trip (ko 7.45pm).
Arguably the best team in WSL1
So far this season City are leading the way in WSL1 having won 8 out of their 10 league games so far and lost none.
Along the way they have scored 24 goals and worryingly conceded just 2, leaving them 4 points clear of Chelsea at present. The only team that have been a match for them so far are Liverpool, who have been the team against which both draws have come.
Their team consists almost exclusively of top quality internationals with the likes of Karen Barnsley, Steph Houghton, Jill Scott, Lucy Bronze and Toni Duggan to name a few. Having just missed out on winning WSL1 last season, this season they are looking like firm favourites to go on to clinch the title.
A bumper attendance and lots of vocal support
Manchester City manage to get a fantastic crowd at their home games of around the 2,000 mark which is really impressive for the WSL.
By comparison Reading’s home attendances are a bit lower so far and tend to average around 700. But what they lack in numbers they certainly make up for in noise and are known for being some of the most vocal fans across the WSL.
Last season drew a crowd just under the 1,000 mark for the Continental Cup match against Chelsea so the potential for good attendances is definitely there and with the mighty City in town hopefully this will be reflected in a large noisy midweek crowd!
Epic resilience and quick counter attacks from Reading
The Royals have had a pretty good season so far having secured 6 draws out of 9 matches and will feel that at least a couple of those draws should have ended in victory, especially against Birmingham and Notts County. Reading are extremely hard to beat and have a very good balance across the back five with a never-say-die attitude, exemplified by Becky Jane’s two excellent goal-line clearances in the closing stages of the game on Sunday to preserve the well-earned draw.
Having only conceded 13 in 9 games so far the defence always give the forwards a chance of getting something out of the game. At the other end goals have been at a premium so far, but Reading have produced a lot of quality, pacey build-up play even if it hasn’t always led to a goal.
With Emma Follis on an excellent run of form and Melissa Fletcher, Jade Boho-Sayo, Helen Ward and Lauren Bruton all more than capable of knocking in some breakaway goals with their pace and skill there is always a chance that if Reading can defend at their very best they could grab a goal or two on the counter and record an unexpected but very memorable victory!
Although on paper Manchester City will be expected to take a comfortable victory with them back from Wycombe on Wednesday in reality Reading will be going into the game with every expectation that they can get something from it.
Everyone will need to be on top form but the Royals have shown enough this season to make this game anything but a formality for City.
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