Man City vs Reading: Fate for both sides hangs in balance ahead of WSL clash

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Alex Greenwood of Manchester City and Emma Harries of Reading battle for the ball during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Manchester City Women and Reading Women at The Academy Stadium on March 16, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

As Gareth Taylor’s side continue to pursue Champion’s league qualification, the Sky Blues will welcome Reading to the Academy Stadium. City vs Reading has drama surronding it this time out.

The hosts will go into Sunday’s game in second, 6 points behind local rivals Manchester United. Chelsea sits just one point behind City. However, Emma Hayes’ side currently have two games in hand. Reading enter into the clash locked in a relegation battle. The Royals could drop into the relegation spot depending on other results.

Embed from Getty Images

Previous encounters

The two sides met back in November for the reverse league fixture. Two own goals from Emma Mukandi alongside a second half goal from Bunny Shaw saw Manchester City take all three points from the tie. Since then, the Sky Blues have dropped just five league points.

With six of the previous nine meetings between the two sides resulting in a Manchester City win; Reading will need to look back to April 2018 for their last league victory over the Sky Blues. City vs Reading has a familiar storyline, and the Royals want to re-write the ending.

Team form

Manchester City have not suffered a single home defeat throughout the entirety of the season. Scoring 24 goals at home in the league whilst conceding just eight times, Taylor’s side have made the Academy Stadium a tough venue for their opposition.

Reading are currently without a win in their last five games. Defeats to Arsenal, Chelsea, Brighton, Leicester and Everton have left Kelly Chamber’s side struggling at the bottom of the table. With their last league victory coming against West Ham, will the visitors be able to find a crucial three points to claw their way out of the relegation zone?

MORE from Her Football Hub: