WNBL1 preview: 27/28 January - live streams, stats and more

With Ipswich crowned as WNBL National Cup winners, attention now turns back to D1W.

The race for the title is hotting up, as is the dash to secure a playoff spot as just six points separate the teams between second and eighth heading into this weekend.

We take a look at all of the action below, with links to live stats and live streams at the bottom of the page.

Loughborough Riders (8-6) vs CoLA Southwark Pride (8-3)

Two teams tied on 16 points go head-to-head in the Midlands on Sunday as CoLA Southwark Pride take a trip Loughborough.

Things are getting congested in D1W's midtable, with the potential for plenty of sides to make a good run if they can put some solid form together.

At 2-3 in their last five, the Riders don't fit into that category right now but after two games against Brent plus match-ups with Ipswich and Thames Valley, that's a tough stretch for any team.

CoLA's loss to Manchester in their final game of 2023 will have hurt their title aspirations, but they're still within touching distance of leaders Ipswich with a game still to play against them.

As 86-48 winners when these two sides last met, the Londoners will no doubt be able to use that performance to build the confidence needed to get back on track this weekend.

CoLA forward Felicia Jacobs enjoyed a 12-point, 10-rebound outing in that game and after coming off an MVP performance in last Saturday's U18 Sure Shot Women's National Cup Final, she will be a player with momentum on her side.

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Elsewhere this weekend

Anglia Ruskin University (6-8) are holding onto a playoff spot right now, but the gap between them and teams below them is decreasing. They host leaders Endeavour Ipswich Basketball (11-2) as one of two games taking place tomorrow.

The other involves Reading Rockets (4-4), who are one of the sides looking to chase down the likes of ARU and get into the playoff spots.

After going 15-7 a year ago, their current ninth place spot is unfamiliar territory for the Berkshire programme. They'll take on struggling City of Birmingham Rockets (3-11) as they try to start climbing the table, with CoB parting ways with head coach Ryan Emery this week.

Brent Bulls (8-3) have won three in a row as they try to catch leaders Ipswich. They'll take on Bristol Academy Flyers (5-8) on Sunday, with the South West side still clinging onto the playoff spots in eighth.

Reading complete their double-header weekend with a difficult game against WNBL National Cup finalists Thames Valley Cavaliers (8-4). TVC will no doubt be turning their full attention to league success following disappointment in last weekend's showpiece.

The weekend closes with Manchester Mystics (7-6) taking on bottom side Team Solent Kestrels (1-10), safe in the knowledge that a win could lift the North West side into the top four should results go their way elsewhere.

This weekend's fixtures:

Saturday 27 January

6:15pm - Anglia Ruskin University vs Endeavour Ipswich Basketball - LIVE STATS

6:30pm - Reading Rockets vs City of Birmingham Rockets - LIVE STATS

Sunday 28 January

1pm - Loughborough Riders vs CoLA Southwark Pride - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

3pm - Brent Bulls vs Bristol Academy Flyers - LIVE STATS

4pm - Reading Rockets vs Thames Valley Cavaliers - LIVE STATS

4:30pm - Manchester Mystics vs Team Solent Kestrels - LIVE STATS

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