READING FC WOMEN face an arduous task in their continuing fight to stay in the Women’s Super League away at Manchester City.
The Royals’ hopes of securing their top flight status took a serious hit on Sunday as they let a two-goal lead slip in their 3-2 defeat to Everton.
Reading sit just one point and one place above the relegation zone over Leicester City who have a game in hand.
There are still four sides who are fighting to avoid the drop with Reading, Leicester, Brighton and Spurs all entrenched in the relegation scrap.
Brighton are a point ahead of Reading with a game in hand, while Spurs are two points above having played the same number of games.
MEanwhile, Sunday’s opponents are fighting at the other end of the table in hopes of making a late push for the title.
City climbed up to second place on Sunday night after earning a convincing 6-2 win over West Ham.
Chloe Kelly hit a double and goals from Laura Coombs, Khadija Shaw, Steph Houghton and Mary Fowler helped City stroll to a 6-2 victory.
The Citizens are now one place off the top and three points behind city rivals Manchester United with four games to go.
However, they are only one point ahead of third placed Chelsea having played two games more and three points above fourth placed Arsenal who have a game in hand.
Gareth Taylor’s team recently put themselves back in the title picture with a strong run of form that has seen them win six of their last seven league matches.
Their only defeat in the last seven games came away at Arsenal which saw the Gunners overturn a one goal deficit to take the points.
However, an impressive home win over defending champions Chelsea in March put Cify back in contention among the top four after goals from Filippa Angeldahl and Lauren Hemp saw them defeat Emma Hayes’ side.
Reading were beaten comprehensively when the teams met at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in November.
After a strong defensive showing from the Royals in the first-half, their hard work was undone after two unfortunate own goals from club captain Emma Mukandi.
Khadija Shaw then added a third to see City return with the points.
