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

The visitors, meanwhile, are one of only two teams who are yet to pick up points in the Women's Super League this season after losing their opening three games.

Match preview

Paul Konchesky's tenure as West Ham boss got off to the perfect start when his side claimed a narrow victory over Everton on the opening day of the season.

However, the Hammers were unable to build upon that 1-0 win as they lost their next two matches to Manchester United and Chelsea before drawing 2-2 with the London City Lionesses in the League Cup, although they did win the subsequent penalty shootout to collect a bonus point.

West Ham returned to league action last weekend against Aston Villa, and it proved to be a successful outing for Konchesky's side despite Hawa Cissoko receiving a late red card for punching Sarah Mayling.

Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Honoka Hayashi both scored in the opening 14 minutes to give the Hammers a two-goal lead, and although they conceded a penalty - which was missed by Alisha Lehmann - and Kenza Dali pulled a goal back in the 77th minute, West Ham held firm to claim a 2-1 victory.

West Ham may have lost two league games this season, but both of those defeats came against sides that finished in the top four positions of the WSL table last term, and they will be confident of claiming consecutive victories when they face a Reading side, who are yet to pick up a point.

Meanwhile, Reading are preparing themselves for a relegation battle after beginning the season with four defeats in all competitions.

Their campaign began with away defeats to Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion before they were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham Hotspur in the league cup.

In their most recent encounter, Reading played host to Arsenal, and although they competed well with the Champions League side, they could not avoid a narrow 1-0 defeat.

Including last season, the Royals are now winless in 15 competitive games, and they are only outside the one and only relegation place due to Leicester's inferior goal difference.

Reading will face their relegation rivals next weekend, but first and foremost, they will be hoping to claim their first points of the season against West Ham on Sunday.

West Ham United Women Women's Super League form:

W

L

L

W

West Ham United Women form (all competitions):

Reading Women Women's Super League form:

L

L

L

Reading Women Women's Super League form:

Team News

Grace Garrad, Jess Ziu and Maisy Barker are all sidelined for the hosts, while Lucy Parker could also be unavailable after missing the win over Aston Villa through injury.

With Cissoko suspended, West Ham will be forced into a defensive reshuffle, which could result in one of the midfielders dropping into the backline.

Emma Snerle will once again be on the bench after making her return from injury as a second half substitute last weekend.

As for the visitors, they are without the services of Becky Jane, Bethan Roberts and Deanne Rose for Saturday's contest.

Despite losing last weekend, Kelly Chambers is expected to keep changes to a minimum following a battling display from her side against Arsenal.

After coming off the bench at half time against the Gunners, Faye Bryson may be the only player that Chambers brings into the side for the meeting with West Ham.

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:

Arnold; Shimizu, Longhurst, Fisk, Smith; Brynjarsdottir, Filis, Hayashi; Evans, Asseyi, Kyvag

Reading Women possible starting lineup:

Burns; Cooper, Evans, Bryson; Eikeland, Primmer, Vanhaevermaet, Rowe; Harries, Woodham, Dowie

We say: West Ham United Women 2-1 Reading Women

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