Manchester City will be chasing their tenth Women's Super League win in a row when they welcome Reading to the Academy Stadium on Saturday.

Gareth Taylor's squad have not dropped any points since November 2020 when rivals Manchester United held them to a 2-2 draw away at Leigh Sports Village.

Reading's run in this season's WSL has been inconsistent, a surprise win over Manchester United in February failed to result in a more sustained uptick of results. Kelly Chambers' side has since lost to Bristol City along with a 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

  • Team News

An Achilles injury will keep City captain Steph Houghton from making the starting line-up. The skipper was ruled out of her place in the starting eleven after picking up the injury against Fiorentina in the Champion's League. Houghton did not feature in the first quarter final leg against Barcelona during the week.

Gareth Taylor hoped Houghton would be fit enough, but told Sky Sports he was unsure when she would be able to rejoin the team:

"It's really difficult to answer in terms of when she'll be back. We're hoping it's not too far away, but we'll always look at what's the right thing for the player."

Reading manager Kelly Chambers praised the recent performance of 18 year old Emma Harries who scored her first senior goal against Bristol City recently. The youngster has been with the club since the age of eight and is finding her rhythm within the senior team set up.

The Royals will lose both Jess Fishlock to OL Reign and Angharad James to the North Carolina Courage next month as the National Women's Soccer League gets underway. Fishlock will return from her loan period, whereas James is heading for her debut season in the USA.

  • Predicted Line-Ups

Manchester City: Roebuck (GK), Dahlkemper, Bonner, Bronze, Greenwood, Walsh, Weir, Mewis, Kelly, Hemp, White.

Reading: Moloney (GK), Bartrip, Skeels, Mitchell, Rowe, Harding, James, Fishlock, Bruton, Eikeland, Carter.

  • Ones To Watch

Lauren Hemp is becoming a formidable force within Manchester City's frontline. A revelation this season, Hemp has five goals and five assists to her name and is holding her own in a side full of considerably experienced club and national team regulars.

Reading will likely look to Rachel Rowe for attacking opportunities in this fixture. As the Royals top scorer this season with four goals, Rowe will need to exploit any space to challenge City's confidence.

  • Previous Meetings

The last meeting between Manchester City and Reading was a 1-1 draw   at the Madejski Stadium. Amalie Eikeland put the Royals ahead just three minutes in, but a second half goal from Samantha Mewis meant the teams shared the points.

  • How To Watch

The match will kick-off at 17:30pm (GMT) at the Academy Stadium and will be able to watch on the BBC Red Button in the UK.

US: NBCSN

Elsewhere: FA Player

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