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

In a meeting between first and last, Arsenal enter the clash as heavy favourites, with Reading yet to pick up a single point this season.

Match preview

Confidence is high within the Arsenal ranks, having started the WSL campaign with back-to-back victories, while also progressing beyond Ajax to qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League group stage.

A dominative victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Gunners's last WSL outing before the international break saw them maintain their position at the top of the table.

The 4-0 victory over Spurs backed up their opening day win against Brighton & Hove Albion, which Arsenal also won by four goals to nil.

Rather unsurprisingly Arsenal have once again turned to Beth Mead so far this season, with the England Player of the Year having netted three goals in their opening two league matches.

At the opposite end of the pitch Arsenal have impressed too and the Gunners are yet to concede up until now, boasting two clean sheets from two WSL outings.

By sharp contrast, Reading are yet to pick up any points from their first two league games, losing both matches, while scoring just one goal.

A narrow defeat to Brighton last time out did offer the Royals some optimism, but there were still plenty of questions surrounding Reading's ability to compete in the WSL.

No team in the division have conceded more goals than Reading this term and the odds of a shutout against the WSL's most potent attack appears unlikely this weekend, not least given their record in the past against Arsenal.

Of their 12 matches in the WSL era Reading have not won any, with Arsenal winning 10 of those league matches.

Reading Women Women's Super League form:

L

L

D

L

L

L

Arsenal Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

W

W

W

W

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

W

W

Team News

Few sides in European football can boast a football a more potent forward line than Arsenal, with Vivianne Miedema and Caitlin Foord expected to partner Mead in attack.

Fresh off the back of guiding the Republic of Ireland to the World Cup, Katie McCabe is likely to retain her position in midfield for the Gunners.

England captain Leah Williamson will not be involved for the visitors and the centre-back is unlikely to return before the end of the month.

Reading's two goals this season across all competitions have arrived after the 90th-minute mark, with Natasha Dowie on target for the Royals in their Continental Cup clash against Tottenham last time out.

Amalie Eikeland will partner Dowie on the opposite wing, whereas Lauren Wade is expected to start up front for Reading.

At the opposite end of the pitch, it could be a long evening for Reading goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns, with the 25-year-old tasked with keeping the Arsenal forward line quiet.

Reading Women possible starting lineup:

Burns; Caldwell, Evans, Cooper; Bryson, Primmer, Rowe, Woodham; Eikeland, Wade, Dowie

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

Zinsberger; Wienroither, Souza, Wubben-Moy, Catley; Walti, Little, McCabe; Foord, Miedema, Mead

We say: Reading Women 0-3 Arsenal Women

Reading are already struggling for form and while the season may only be in its infancy, the Royals will be wary of dropping too far behind the pace.

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