Ipswich Town Women have won their last three league games. (Image: Ross Halls)

IMPRESSIVE START

The Tractor Girls currently sit third in the second tier after making an unbeaten league start to the 2026/27 season.

David Wright's side have won three and drawn the other two of their opening five second tier games and are currently on a run of three straight victories, with their last league game being a 2-1 win at Sheffield United before the latest international break.

Last weekend, they let a two goal lead slip to draw 2-2 away to Wolves in the Subway Players Cup, before missing out an additional point after losing 7-6 on penalties.

But, now all focus is back on WSL 2 action - and a big test.

Melanie Reay has been managing Sunderland since 2017. (Image: PA)

THE OPPOSITION

Melanie Reay's side have also started their campaign strongly, with them sitting in second place with four wins and one draw from their first five games.

The Lasses secured an impressive 3-1 home win over Leicester City in their last league game, prior to the October international break.

They also enjoyed a 1-0 derby day win over local rivals Newcastle United in the Subway Players Cup last Sunday.

Katie Kitching’s second-half finish, followed by a Noa Schumacher penalty save, earned the bragging rights against the current WSL 2 leaders.

Elise Hughes scored for Wales in the latest October international break. (Image: PA)

ONES TO WATCH

Elise Hughes is the Lasses' top goalscorer with four goals in the opening five league games.

The Welsh international forward moved to the North East in the summer after helping Crystal Palace win promotion to the WSL.

Fellow forward Katy Watson has four goal contributions to her name, having netted twice and provided two assists.

And a key player in their midfield is New Zealand international Katie Kitching, who is in her fourth season at Sunderland. She has two goals and two assists to her name this season so far.

Kenzie Weir scored a late winner against Sunderland last season. (Image: Ross Halls)

LAST MEETING

The two sides last faced off on the final day of last season, with the Blues securing a 2-1 home win over Sunderland to end the 2025/26 campaign with three straight wins.

Town opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Ava Baker curled a shot into the bottom left corner, before Eleanor Dale equalised for the visitors in the 68th minute.

However, Town restored their lead four minutes from time when Lucy Ashworth-Clifford sent a free-kick into the area for Kenzie Weir, who headed home to claim all three points.

David Wright will be back in the dug out after missing the last game due to illness. (Image: Ross Halls)

WHAT THEY SAID

Town boss David Wright met the media on Thursday. He said: "Both teams have had a really good start. They're a really good team, that carry a real threat in that top line and how they want to build and create opportunities.

"But then I'll flip it on the other side and I'm sure I would like to think they'll be saying the same thing about about our front line and our defensive structure of it's going to be difficult for them to break down.

"So I think it's two good teams coming together and we've got to make sure that we turn up and we perform at the level that we want to perform.

"We need to make sure that we execute the plan and if we do that, we give ourselves every opportunity."

Defender Emma Lawton added: "I think every game in this league is big, but they've obviously had a good start to the season like ourselves so it should be competitive - but we know the strength we've got in this team and and we know how we can hurt them."

Ipswich Town Women are looking to continue their unbeaten start to their league campaign. (Image: Ross Halls)

DRINK IN THE ATMOSPHERE

Supporters attending Town Women fixtures at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester will now be allowed to drink alcohol in view of the pitch following a trial in the WSL and WSL2 over the last two seasons.

Unlike men’s football in the United Kingdom, the women’s professional game is not covered by legislation in the Sporting Events Act 1985 which prohibits the consumption of alcohol in view of the pitch.

As part of the club's continued efforts to enhance the matchday experience at home fixtures, alcoholic drinks will now be available to purchase throughout the rest of the campaign.

Supporters will be able to drink in blocks E4 and E5, and the whole of the West Stand, while blocks E3 and E6 will remain alcohol free.

The game kicks off at 2pm, and will also be shown live on the WSL2 official YouTube channel for those who can't make the fixture.

We'll be bringing you a report and reaction across our sites.