After an extended winter break due to the postponement of their final fixture of 2020, Chelsea will be looking to continue their winning run against mid-table Reading when they travel to The Madejski Stadium on Sunday.
Chelsea recorded a successful end to 2020 with a 100% record in December prior to the postponement of the Tottenham Hotspur fixture due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, Reading finished 2020 by ending their winless streak, beating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 at The People’s Pension Stadium. Reading’s previous league victory had come against West Ham United way back on 4 October.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes will be hoping to rely on her in-form strike partnership of former Royal Fran Kirby and Australian national team captain Sam Kerr, who during December tallied seven goals between them in all competitions. This included Kirby surpassing Eniola Aluko as Chelsea’s all-time leading top goalscorer. The Blues haven’t reported any absentees ahead of their meeting with Reading in a week that has seen many Barclays FA Women’s Super League teams plagued with injuries and positive COVID-19 test results.
Kelly Chambers will be hoping that her Reading side continue their return to better fortunes after finally turning their impressive displays into three points against Brighton & Hove Albion. Chambers has welcomed the continued return of Danielle Carter, Lauren Bruton and Jess Fishlock in the lead up to the match, with the trio having come back after suffering long-term injuries. The Royals boss stated in midweek that 2021 is going to be a ‘big year’ for Reading and she is looking forward to hopefully starting it with a bang against Chelsea, a club who she believes that her side have always performed well against.
Reading’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture against Chelsea at The Madejski Stadium kicks-off at 2pm on Sunday afternoon and will be broadcast live on the BBC Red Button and on the FA Player.
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