Preview: Manchester United Women vs. Reading Women - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are dreaming of qualifying for the Champions League, while Reading will be targeting an improvement on last season's eighth-place finish.

Match preview

After finishing their first two seasons in fourth position, it was perhaps unsurprising to see Man United replicate that feat last term.

Marc Skinner's side fell four points short of their rivals Manchester City, who clinched the third and final Champions League place.

Similar to last season's objective, the target for the Red Devils will be to clinch a top-three finish, and they have been busy adding to their squad in a bid to achieve their objective.

The arrival of Aissatou Tounkara and Maya Le Tissier will strengthen United's defence, while Lucia Garcia, Nikita Parris and Adriana Leon will bolster Skinner's attacking options.

United completed the 2021-22 campaign with seven consecutive home league victories, and they will be hoping to continue that winning run on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Reading are hoping they can clinch a top half finish this season after ending the 2021-22 campaign in eighth place.

Although they would have been content with their efforts last season, the Royals may have felt they could have achieved more following an eight-game unbeaten run in the WSL that stretched from October to February.

Seven of those eight matches resulted in victory, but they subsequently plummeted down the table after collecting only three points from their final 10 matches.

Like their hosts, Reading have been active in the transfer market, and they will hope their six new signings can help them enjoy a successful season.

After finishing last term with seven defeats in 10 games, the Royals will hope they can begin the new season with their first WSL victory since February 6.

Manchester United Women pre-season form:

Reading Women pre-season form:

Team News

There will be no Jackie Groenen for Man United after the Netherlands international completed a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday.

Skinner could hand competitive debuts to Le Tissier and Parris, although fellow summer signing Garcia may have to settle for a place on the bench.

After top-scoring for United with nine league goals last term, Alessia Russo will provide one of the main goal threats for the hosts.

As for the visitors, Kelly Chambers could hand debuts to summer signings Charlie Wellings and Lauren Wade.

Grace Moloney will feature in goal, and she is expected to be shielded by a back three that contains Emma Mukandi, Gemma Evans and Deanna Cooper.

Meanwhile, Justine Vanhaevermaet and Sanne Troelsgaard will have their work cut out in central midfield on Saturday.

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:

Earps; Le Tissier, Thorisdottir, Turner, Blundell; Zelem, Ladd; Parris, Toone, Galton; Russo

Reading Women possible starting lineup:

Moloney; Mukandi, Evans, Cooper; Eikeland, Vanhaevermaet, Troelsgaard, Woodham; Wade, Rowe; Wellings

We say: Manchester United Women 2-0 Reading Women

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