Brightonvs.Chelsea

The Seagulls are looking to end a six-game winless league run, while the Blues will try to maintain their unbeaten record in the WSL.

Match preview

Brighton have taken just two points from six league matches since they recorded a 3-2 home victory over West Ham United in November.

Their six-game winless run started with a defeat to Chelsea and a draw against Tottenham, before they suffered consecutive away defeats against Liverpool and Manchester United.

After going on to draw with rivals Crystal Palace, the Seagulls fell to a 3-1 defeat against West Ham in their final outing before the international break, representing a fifth consecutive away loss in the WSL.

With that in mind, Dario Vidosic's side will be pleased to have home advantage for Sunday's fixture, especially as they are one of three teams yet to lose a WSL home game this season (W4, D3).

The hosts will be dreaming of pulling off a surprise result by beating Chelsea for the first time since recording a 2-1 away win in February 2021.

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor boasts an unbeaten record since taking over the reins from Emma Hayes last summer, with her 24 competitive games in charge producing 23 wins and one draw.

Leicester City are the only team to stop Chelsea from winning this season after the Foxes held the Blues to a 1-1 draw in December's league clash at the King Power Stadium.

Bompastor's side have recorded four consecutive WSL wins since that result, beating West Ham United, Arsenal and Aston Villa without conceding, before they came from behind to snatch all three points in their most recent outing against Everton.

Mayra Ramirez found the net just after the hour mark to cancel out Kelly Gago's opener, before Lauren James netted a 93rd-minute winner to seal a 2-1 victory, ensuring the Blues went into the international break with a seven-point lead over Man United in the WSL title race.

Chelsea will be confident about claiming three more points on Sunday, having won each of their last five meetings with Brighton, scoring at least three goals in their previous four wins over the Seagulls.

Brighton & Hove Albion Women Women's Super League form:

L

D

L

L

D

L

Brighton & Hove Albion Women form (all competitions):

Chelsea Women Women's Super League form:

W

D

W

W

W

W

Chelsea Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Brighton are expected to be without Bruna Vilamala and Aisha Masaka due to injury, while Maisie Symonds will serve the final match of a three-game ban.

Former Chelsea attacker Fran Kirby could be given more minutes off the bench after she returned from injury to feature as a substitute against West Ham before the international break.

England international Nikita Parris will be looking to continue her fine run of form after scoring four goals in Brighton's last four competitive matches.

As for the visitors, they will have to assess midfielder Erin Cuthbert, who is a doubt after missing the league win over Everton due to a rib injury.

World record signing Naomi Girma has recovered from a calf problem and will feature in a Chelsea squad for the first time since arriving from the San Diego Wave in the NWSL.

However, the Blues are still unable to call upon the injured trio of Kadeisha Buchanan, Sophie Ingle and Mia Fishel, while Zecira Musovic is unavailable for selection after announcing her pregnancy at the start of February.

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:

Loeck; Hayes, Bergsvand, Pattinson; McLauchlan, Losada, Cankovic, Noordam; Seike, Haley; Parris

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:

Hampton; Bronze, Bjorn, Bright, Charles; Walsh, Nusken; Rytting Kaneryd, Macario, James; Ramirez

We say: Brighton & Hove Albion Women 1-2 Chelsea Women

Written by

Ben Sully

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