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Reading vs West Ham – WSL Match Preview and How to Watch

ByTom Chambers|
READING, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Gemma Evans of Reading has her shot at goal saved off the line by Mackenzie Arnold of West Ham United during the Vitality Women's FA Cup Fifth Round match between Reading FC Women and West Ham United Women at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on February 27, 2022 in Reading, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
READING, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Gemma Evans of Reading has her shot at goal saved off the line by Mackenzie Arnold of West Ham United during the Vitality Women's FA Cup Fifth Round match between Reading FC Women and West Ham United Women at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on February 27, 2022 in Reading, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

West Ham travel to the Madejski Stadium on Sunday to take on an out-of-form Reading team.

West Ham

The Hammers have lost their last three matches in a row, their most recent being a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Olli Harder’s team will need to improve in front of goal if they are to turn around their poor run of form. West Ham have only scored four times in their previous six matches and haven’t scored three goals in a single league match since January.

West Ham will be without long-term injury absentee Maisy Barker for Sunday’s trip to the Madejski stadium.

Reading

Reading are suffering from their own poor run of form having failed to win any of their last seven league matches.

The Royals are currently 8th in the Women’s Super League (WSL) table, level on points with West Ham in 7th. Reading could conceivably rise as high as fifth if they win their remaining three matches and other results go their way.

Reading were dealt a blow in the week when it was announced that striker Emma Harries ruptured the posterior cruciate ligament in her knee while playing for England’s under-23 side during the recent international break. Harries had been enjoying a break out season for The Royals having scored three goals and contributed three assists in her 19 matches.

READING, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 11: Kelly Chambers, Manager of Reading gives their team instructions during the Barclays FA Women’s Super League match between Reading Women and Chelsea Women at Select Car Leasing Stadium on December 11, 2021 in Reading, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)
READING, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 11: Kelly Chambers, Manager of Reading gives their team instructions during the Barclays FA Women’s Super League match between Reading Women and Chelsea Women at Select Car Leasing Stadium on December 11, 2021 in Reading, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

Last match between the two teams

Emma Harries scored a 92nd minute equaliser for Reading in the reverse fixture in November. West Ham were 2-0 up before half-time thanks to goals form Lisa Evans and Grace Fisk, but The Royals came back into the contest as Abbey-Leigh Stringer’s own goal halved the deficit before Harries’ injury time goal ensured the points were shared.

Player to watch – Deanne Rose

Rose made her debut for the Canadian national team as a 16-year-old in 2015. She has gone on to make 66 appearances for her country, scoring 12 goals in the process. The forward won a gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo as Canada best Sweden on penalties in the final.

Rose was selected as the 10th pick in the 2021 NWSL draft by the North Carolina Courage, but interestingly she never played for the team. Instead, she was instantly traded to Orlando Pride. She signed a two-year contract with Reading last summer. Rose has five goals and four assists so far this season.

WOLVERHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM – FEBRUARY 23: (L-R) Deanne Rose of Canada Women, Patricia Guijarro of Spain Women, Jennifer Hermoso Fuentes of Spain Women during the International Friendly Women match between Spain v Canada at the Molineux Stadium on February 23, 2022 in Wolverhampton United Kingdom (Photo by Richard Sellers/Soccrates/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM – FEBRUARY 23: (L-R) Deanne Rose of Canada Women, Patricia Guijarro of Spain Women, Jennifer Hermoso Fuentes of Spain Women during the International Friendly Women match between Spain v Canada at the Molineux Stadium on February 23, 2022 in Wolverhampton United Kingdom (Photo by Richard Sellers/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Predicted West Ham XI:

Arnold, Fisk, Flaherty, Cissoko, Stringer, Evans, Brynjarsdottir, Snerle, Svitkova, Walker, Leon

How to Watch:

Reading FC Women vs West Ham United FC Women

Date: Sunday 24th April 2022

Venue: Madejski Stadium

Kick-off Time: 14:00 PM (BST)

TV: The match has not been selected for live television broadcast

Streaming: FA Player

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