FA WSL Matchday 18 preview
Matchday 18 of the FA WSL action will kick off with a historical game between Manchester United and West Ham United that is set to be played at Old Trafford on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET. The game will mark the first time that Man Utd Women play in the Theater of Dreams. The Red Devils will look to avenge a 2-0 loss to rivals Arsenal with a win against the Hammers, who find themselves at the bottom of the league table.
In the nation’s capital, the North London Derby will go down on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. ET, with Tottenham Hotspur hosting Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Gunners are looking to snatch Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League qualification spot, and winning this game is a must to achieve their goal. Meanwhile, The Spurs are safe from relegation but looking to best themselves by defeating Arsenal for the first time.
And to close Saturday play, Man City will host a tricky Reading side at Manchester City Academy Stadium at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Sunday will feature the three other matches, starting with Brighton & Hove Albion taking on Everton at home at 7:30 a.m. ET. Chelsea and Aston Villa will follow with a game at 9:30 a.m. ET at Kingsmeadow in London. And the last game of the week will see league-strugglers Bristol City and Birmingham City scrap for points at 11 a.m. ET in Birmingham.
ATA Football, NBC Sports Network and The FA Player will broadcast/stream all the games this weekend. Make sure you scroll to the bottom of the article to find all the broadcast and stream information.
Game of the Week: Manchester City vs. Reading
ATA Football, the home of women's football, will offer a free live stream of the clash between Man City and Reading at Manchester City Academy Stadium on Saturday, March 27, at 1:30 p.m. ET.
The Cityzens will look to avenge a one-all draw away at Reading in November 2021 and add another victory to their impressive 10-game-winning streak. Manager Gareth Taylor and the players are just two points behind Emma Hayes’ Chelsea with six games left of the 2020/21 FA WSL campaign. The two sides will meet for a title-deciding match on April 25.
The Sky Blue has displayed top-notch football in the second half of the season with every player on the pitch showing good form. Both the defense and offense have been close to perfect since the start of their win streak in December, outscoring opponents 36-3 and keeping seven clean sheets.
On the other hand, the Royals are known for getting in the way of top sides, and they proved that in October when they drew 1-1 against Man City at Madejski Stadium. They have also seized points from Manchester United ad Arsenal this season. However, manager Kelly Chambers and her women have not been able to keep consistency throughout the season only winning two games in a row once in this campaign.
Reading helped Manchester City in its search for the title by taking down Manchester United 2-0 in Manchester in February. Nonetheless, the Sky Blue will show no remorse as they need the win to remain two points behind Chelsea in the chase for the WSL title.
