Preview: Tottenham Hotspur Ladies vs. Reading Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies will be aiming to continue their perfect start to the Women's Super League season when they host Reading Women on Sunday.

Spurs have won both of their opening two games of the new campaign, while the Royals are yet to pick up a point.

Match preview

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Tottenham became the first side to beat Manchester City away from home in the league since April 2018 when they came from behind to win 2-1 at the Academy Stadium a fortnight ago.

There was controversy about their 86th-minute winner however, as there was a clear handball from Rosella Ayane in the lead up to Karima Benameur Taieb's own goal.

Nonetheless, it took Spurs to fourth place as one of four teams on maximum points going into the international break.

With a trip to newly-promoted Leicester City to come next weekend, Rehanne Skinner's side will see an opportunity to build some early season momentum as they aim to improve upon their eighth place finish in 2020-21.

It was a summer of transition for Reading as Kelly Chambers overhauled her squad following a seventh-place finish last season, but the new campaign has not gone to plan so far.

The Royals lost 2-0 to Manchester United on the opening weekend before being thrashed 4-0 by Arsenal a fortnight ago, leaving them 11th in the table.

Chambers admitted that her side could even have lost by more goals against the Gunners and will have used the two-week break as a chance to start afresh.

Reading host bottom of the table Everton next weekend, so will hope that their first points and goals are not too far around the corner.

Both games between Spurs and Reading last season finished level, with a 1-1 draw at The Hive and a 0-0 stalemate at Madejski Stadium.

Team News

Tottenham defender Molly Bartrip spent seven years at Reading, but will now line up against the Royals for the first time after moving to Spurs in the summer.

Australian international Kyah Simon made her debut against Manchester City a fortnight ago and should keep her place on Sunday.

Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney pulled out of the starting lineup against Arsenal at the last minute, but may return here.

Summer signing Deanne Rose has been limited to substitute appearances so far after joining the squad late due to competing in the Olympics, but the striker could now be ready for her first start.

Last season's top scorer Rachel Rowe netted for Wales in the international break and will now hope to get off the mark for the season in club colours.

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies possible starting lineup:

Spencer; Ale, Bartrip, Zadorsky, Neville; Percival, Clemaron, Green, Naz; Simon, Williams

Reading Women possible starting lineup:

Moloney; Bryson, Evans, Cooper, Woodham; Harding, Vanhaevermaet, Rowe; Chaplen, Rose, Eikeland

We say: Tottenham Hotspur Ladies 2-1 Reading Women

After contrasting starts to the season, these two sides are at opposite ends of the confidence scale and that could dictate the outcome of Sunday's game. This fresh Reading team are still finding their feet, while Tottenham will be on cloud nine after beating Manchester City; they will just hope the two week break has not halted their momentum.