PREVIEW: Southampton v Reading | OneFootball

Southampton will face top flight opposition for the very first time as an elite football club when Reading arrive at St Mary’s Stadium for an FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup fixture this afternoon.

Both clubs lost their opening match in this season’s FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup; Southampton went down 2-0 at Coventry United while Reading suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Southampton have lost just one of their last nine matches in all competitions. One of the reasons behind The Saints’ excellent form has been good squad availability and manager Marieanne Spacey-Cale could have a fully-fit group going into this afternoon’s game. Forward Sophia Pharoah recently returned from a long period of absence while Ashleigh Ward could return to the squad after missing the Blackburn Rovers game last weekend.

Reading manager Kelly Chambers will again be without defender Brooke Hendrix and attacker Deanne Rose for her side’s trip to the South Coast. Goalkeeper Jackie Burns could return to the squad after serving her suspension for her recent red card.

The FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup fixture between Southampton and Reading is scheduled to kick-off at 2pm. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.