Arsenal are at home to Reading in what could the decider in the FA WSL Conti Cup Group One South.
Arsenal lead the group with six points while Reading have three but a game in hand.
The opposition
Reading are in excellent League form as they are currently sit in third place, ahead of the Gunners.
Following a first season in WSL1, where they adopted a very defensive set-up to avoid relegation, they started to move forward in the Spring Series and have carried on in the 2017/18 season.
They have a good number of former Gunners in the side – Molly Bartrip, Jo Potter, Fara Williams, Lauren Bruton and Kirsty Linnett. Fara Williams moved just last Summer after being let go by Arsenal.
As previously mentioned, Reading are certainly much more of an attacking threat this season. They seem to have settled for a back four after experimenting with a back three during the Spring Series and play with three forwards now, rather than the usual lone striker they used for a season and a half.
It should be a tough, high-intensity game and you would expect both teams to put out a strong XI following their respective mid-week games against FA WSL2 sides.
Next, injury news
Injury news
Kim Little and Vyan Sampson are long-term absentees.
Josephine Henning has not been in the squad for the last two games.
Leah Williamson was subbed at half-time against Millwall We don’t know if was tactical or due to an injury.
Jessica Samuelsson was injured on international duty and we do not know when she will be back after suffering a ruptured muscle in her foot that was not, initially, expected to sideline her for too long.
Next, predicted xi
Predicted XI
Following a bit of squad rotation last Wednesday against FA WSL2 side Millwall, we should expect the best XI to play against Reading.
Ismael Garcia has used a back three in both games, he has taken charge of, so I would expect a similar set up on Sunday.
In goal, Sari Van Veenendaal should get her place back.
In defence, Jemma Rose, Louise Quinn and Leah Williamson should get the nod.
The two wing backs should be Heather O’Reilly on the right and Emma Mitchell on the left.
In central midfield Jordan Nobbs alongside Dominique Janssen to balance the team. And Danielle Van De Donk behind the two forwards picked from the trio of Anna Miedema, Bethany Mead and Jodie Taylor.
With the coach probably looking for experience for the game, putting the youngsters on the bench I would expect this team to stat: Van Veenendaal; Rose, Quinn, Williamson; O’Reilly, Nobbs, Janssen, Mitchell; Van De Donk; Taylor, Miedema.
On the bench, Moorhouse, Scott, Hinds, Carter, James, Evans, Mead.