Chelsea vs Reading: Seeking to ride momentum in WSL

In the WSL, Chelsea has been in prolific form since the season’s opening day, but just like Brighton, there is something about Reading that continuously gives the Blues a tough match each time out. The Royals may be sitting in the bottom three of the top flight of English women’s football, but the latter side are currently unbeaten in their last three in all competitions, including an inspiring win against a now-struggling Tottenham side.

With Kelly Chambers having her two leading goal scorers from last season, Natasha Dowie, and Rose out due to injury, the former Reading player herself has to rely on academy product Emma Harries alongside former Glentoran attacker, Lauren Wade. In the last match, Harries showed real promise in the frontline, causing havoc against Spurs, and forcing the goalkeeper into a plethora of saves.

Coming off of a game where Hayes left frustrated with a lackluster first-half performance against Real Madrid, there should be an emphasis on getting out and running in the opening minutes on a team that has allowed five different opponents this season to net three or more goals against it in the league. Given that it is the last WSL fixture before the break, CFC has the chance to cement itself at the top of the table for the weeks leading up to a highly anticipated contest against Arsenal on January 15.