The Continental Cup was first introduced in 2011, known then as the FA WSL Cup, for the eight teams competing in the top flight. 2014 saw the format of the competition extended to include championship clubs, with Reading entering the fray in this year.
Reading made it through to the quarter-finals last year, having reached the same stage the previous year and the semi-final in 2017-18 season.
Reading will face West Ham, Charlton and Brighton in Group D of the cup draw seemingly having avoided the ‘groups of death’ in B and C. This is likely down to the logistics of North/South regions and avoiding unnecessary travel during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Odds on Royals as the favourites to top the table as West Ham and Brighton & Hove Albion finished in the bottom half of 2019/20 FA WSL season, while Charlton saw themselves placed bottom of the Championship in the same year.
Furthermore, West Ham will be a game to look out for as the recently departed Royal Maz Pacheco made her move there in July of the transfer window.
The knock-out stage format, as well as fixtures and dates, are yet to be confirmed but will, according to reports, be released soon.
Group A
Coventry United
Aston Villa
Sheffield United
Durham
Group B
Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal
London City Lionesses
Group C
Liverpool
Manchester United
Everton
Manchester City
Group D
West Ham United
Charlton Athletic
Reading
Brighton & Hove Albion
Group E
Birmingham City
Blackburn Rovers
Leicester City
Group F
Lewes
London Bees
Bristol City
Crystal Palace
