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

Two relegation rivals will face off on the penultimate weekend of the Women's Super League season when Tottenham Hotspur Ladies play host to Reading Women on Saturday.

The Royals occupy the sole relegation place, while Tottenham are three points clear of danger in 10th position.

Match preview

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Since beating Leicester City 1-0 on March 15, Tottenham have gone five games without picking up a victory.

Back-to-back defeats were followed by consecutive home draws against Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion before they were comfortably beaten by Man United in their most recent outing.

Goals from Leah Galton, Alessia Russo and Nikita Parris guided Man United to a 3-0 victory and condemned Spurs to a seventh consecutive away defeat in the WSL.

With two games left to play, the North London club have a three-point cushion against Reading, who also have an inferior goal difference compared to Spurs.

Having conceded at least two goals in each of their last five games, Tottenham will be looking for a defensive improvement on Saturday as they attempt to claim a victory that would secure their WSL survival.

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Reading head into the weekend without a win in six league matches (D1, L5) and two points adrift of 11th-placed Leicester City.

The Royals will be bereft of confidence after they were thrashed 5-0 at home to Aston Villa last time out, with the disappointing result representing their fourth straight defeat.

Like their hosts, Reading have struggled defensively, conceding 19 goals across their previous six league matches.

With their final game of the season taking place against title-chasing Chelsea, Reading will know that they desperately need a win from Saturday's contest if they are to have a realistic chance of beating the drop.

Claiming all three points may prove difficult though, as the Royals have lost all 10 of their away league games this season, and they have not won on the road in the WSL since beating Everton 2-1 in February 2022.

Team News

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The hosts are still unable to call upon the services of long-term injury absentees Ellie Brazil and Kyah Simon.

Nikola Karczewska is also a doubt for Spurs after the Poland international missed the defeat to Manchester United with a groin problem.

After dropping out of the lineup last time out, Ash Neville, Eveliina Summanen and Rosella Ayane could all return to the side.

As for the Royals, Jackie Burns has already been ruled out for the rest of the season, while long-term absentee Deanne Rose remains unavailable.

Reading boss Kelly Chambers may decide to recall Tia Primmer to the side after dropping out of the lineup for the defeat to Aston Villa.

After featuring as a half-time substitute against the Villans, Lily Woodham is in contention for a place in the starting XI.

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies possible starting lineup:

Korpela; Turner, Bartrip, Harrop; Bizet, Summanen, James, Ayane; Spence, England

Reading Women possible starting lineup:

Moloney; Eikeland, Caldwell, Mukandi, Harries; Harries, Vanheavermaet, Primmer, Wellings; Rowe; Troelsgaard

We say: Tottenham Hotspur Ladies 1-1 Reading Women

Both sides will be keen to end their respective winless run, but a point would suit Tottenham, and we think that they will hold Reading to a draw that would leave the Royals with a mountain to climb in their final game of the season against Chelsea.

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