Reading vs Chelsea – WSL preview: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
It’s all to play for on the final day of the Women’s Super League season as Chelsea look to clinch a fourth successive league title against a Reading side desperate to avoid relegation to the Championship.
Emma Hayes‘ Blues are in the driving seat at the top of the table, sitting two points clear of Manchester United with a superior goal difference. Victory would guarantee them the title while a point may be enough, depending on whether United can beat Liverpool and the margin of victory if they do.
As for Reading, they have picked up just one point from their last seven games to plunge to the bottom of the table, and must now climb the proverbial Mount Everest to retain their status as a top-flight club.
Even if Reading do pick up all three points, they are reliant on Leicester City losing at Brighton & Hove Albion to have any chance of staying up.
Here’s 90min’s preview of the game.
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Deanne Rose is once again available for selection after returning to Reading’s side against Tottenham last week – the Canadian international had been sidelined long-term with an Achilles injury.
Rachel Rowe and Lily Woodham are both injured though and will play no part on the final day.
What Kelly Chambers had to say about Reading’s chances of survival
„As tough as the challenge ahead is for us, it is a game of football. As much as it is a hard position to be in right now, the players have really attacked the week in a positive mindset to try to do everything they can for the weekend.“
I have probably been saying this for a couple of games, but however it has come about, we are still in the fight. „It is an opportunity which we have to give 100%, which we didn’t do against Tottenham. We have to leave everything out there.
„We are where we are and for different reasons, and I suppose honest conversations have happened.
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England duo Fran Kirby and Millie Bright are the only two absentees for Chelsea, the latter of whom has picked up a knee injury.
Emma Hayes confirmed in her pre-match press conference that she’s hopeful that Bright will be available for feature for England at the World Cup, but doesn’t have a timeline on a potential return to training.
What Emma Hayes had to say about Chelsea‘ title chances
‘What we think is we are exactly where we want to be. We are in a position to control the outcome. Everybody, staff, players, has worked so hard to get to this point.
‘Maintaining the focus, the concentration and the consistency is all I’ve been interested in with them all week, making sure we are in a position to perform tomorrow, so everybody knows their roles, their tasks, and we are in the best mindset. I think we are. We do that consistently well.“
We’re at the stage of the season where Chelsea show their ruthless, best form, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for glory. 18 wins in 21 WSL games shows how consistent they’ve been this season, and it’s a real credit to Manchester United that the title race is still going heading into the final day.
The reverse fixture saw Chelsea emerge narrow 3-2 victors, while they were also successful against the Royals in the FA Cup, and they more than have the quality available to achieve their ambitions.
It would be a huge surprise to see Reading take anything out of the game, which should result in a real contrast of emotions at Meadow Park as the visitors savour title success and the hosts drop down a division.