Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Preview: Brighton & Hove Albion Women vs. Reading Women - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 23 September 2022, 16:21
Brighton & Hove Albion Women and Reading Women will both look to claim their first points of the Women's Super League season when they go head-to-head on Sunday.

The hosts suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Arsenal on the opening weekend, while the Royals were beaten by the same scoreline when they faced Manchester United.

Match preview

Brighton knew they were in for a tough opener when the fixture list presented them with an away meeting against an Arsenal side who are targeting the WSL title this term.

Hopes of a positive result would have been slim prior to the contest, and they all but evaporated WHEN Emma Kullberg was sent off in the seventh minute.

Arsenal proceeded to make the most of the numerical advantage as Kim Little and Stina Blackstenius grabbed a goal apiece before Beth Mead netted a brace to condemn Brighton to a demoralising 4-0 defeat.

Although their confidence would have been dented by the opening day defeat, Brighton will know their battles this term will not be against the likes of Arsenal as they now turn their attention to a meeting with a Reading side they beat 4-1 in their most recent meeting in February.

However, Hope Powell will be concerned by the fact that her side ended last season with only one win in their final seven home league games.

Like their hosts, Reading were comfortably beaten when they made the trip to the North West to begin their campaign with an away encounter against Man United.

The Royals were unable to cope with the fast start made by United as they were blown away in the opening 35 minutes following a Maya Le Tissier brace and goals from Katie Zelem and Alessia Russo.

A comprehensive 4-0 win for the Reds Devils extended Reading's winless run in the WSL to 11 games, with eight of those matches ending in defeat.

After scoring two goals in their last seven WSL contests, Kelly Chambers will know her side need to improve in the final third if they are to claim their first since February 6.

Sunday's meeting with Brighton may be the opportune moment for Reading to end their winless run after winning five consecutive games against the Seagulls prior to losing in their previous meeting.

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

Reading Women Women's Super League form:

Team News

Brighton are unable to call upon the services of Maisie Symonds, Megan Connolly and Rebekah Stott who are all missing with injury issues.

Following her red card last weekend, Kullberg will be absent through suspension, which could result in Jorja Fox moving across from right-back to the centre of defence.

Powell may opt to bring Katie Robinson into the starting lineup after the 20-year-old came off the bench at half time against Arsenal.

As for Reading, Deanne Rose is set for an extended period on the sideline after rupturing her Achilles in the defeat to Manchester United.

Natasha Dowie is expected to replace Rose in the starting lineup, with the 24-year-old set to feature in the forward line alongside Lauren Wade and Charlie Wellings.

Despite conceding four last weekend, Chambers will likely keep faith with a back three that will contain Deanna Cooper, Emma Mitchell and Gemma Evans.

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:

Walsh; Robinson, Fox, Williams, Pattinson; Bance, Olme, Lee, Sarri; Terland, Green

Reading Women possible starting lineup:

Moloney; Cooper, Mitchell, Evans; Eikeland, Troelsgaard, Rowe, Woodham; Dowie, Wade, Wellings

We say: Brighton & Hove Albion Women 1-1 Reading Women

Previews by email

Top News

17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final match at MAC³PARK Stadion in the 2023-24 Eredivisie season will see PEC Zwolle playing host to Europa League hopefuls FC Twente on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wellington vs. Victory (Saturday, 7.30am) Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory square off in the second leg of the A-League Finals Series semi-finals on Saturday. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly dropped their pursuits of Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies and Lille's Leny Yoro. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Almere City and NEC draw the curtain on their respective 2023-24 Eredivisie seasons with a meeting at the Yanmar Stadion on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted he would like to manage in Spain at some point in his career. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk AZ Alkmaar will be looking to pick up a fifth straight victory when they entertain the challenge of FC Utrecht at the AFAS Stadion on Sunday. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With the chance to guarantee their La Liga survival ahead of the final day of the season, Celta Vigo will travel to Los Carmenes to meet already-relegated Granada on Sunday. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Concluding a triumphant Ligue 1 campaign, Paris Saint-Germain head to the Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday to face a Metz side destined to scrap for survival in the relegation playoffs. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly received a major boost in their pursuit of summer target Teun Koopmeiners after Atalanta BC announced their asking price for his signature. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Le Havre are set to take on Marseille at Stade Oceane on Sunday evening in the final matchday of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford midfielder Josh Dasilva has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until at least 2025. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A highly-rated Arsenal academy prospect has confirmed that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Arsenal will need to act swiftly if they intend to capitalise on the release clause in Jeremie Frimpong's Bayer Leverkusen contract, according to a report. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea could be without as many as seven players for their final Premier League fixture of the season at home against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will endeavour to end the 2023-24 campaign on a high by qualifying for European competition when they welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sevilla will look to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they travel to San Mames for Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea's Cole Palmer has won the Premier League's Young Player of the Season award for the 2023-24 season following an incredible breakthrough campaign. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sixth-placed Lens are set to take on 12th-placed Montpellier HSC in the final game of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday evening. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Galatasaray have the chance to seal the Turkish Super Lig title when they host arch-rivals and closest challengers Fenerbahce at Rams Park on Sunday. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has confirmed that he is leaving the club at the end of the season. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial are all training with Manchester United ahead of the team's final match of the 2023-24 Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Napoli have reportedly entered the race to sign Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood during this summer's transfer window. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two midtable sides will go head-to-head when Alaves welcome Getafe to Mendizorroza for Saturday's La Liga contest. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Playing their final home fixture of a stellar Serie A season, champions Inter Milan welcome Lazio to San Siro on Sunday evening. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be without first-choice goalkeeper Ederson for Sunday's Premier League title decider against West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk For just the third time in the last 11 years, the Premier League title race will be decided on the final day, with reigning champions Manchester City looking to retain their crown at home against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale has reportedly agreed a move to Newcastle United during this summer's transfer window. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly held discussions over the signing of Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk ARSENAL Gameweek 38 opponents: Everton (H) Out: None Doubtful: Jurrien Timber (knee) ASTON VILLA Gameweek 38 opponents: Palace (A) Out: Emiliano Buendia (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee), Boubacar Kamara (knee), Jacob Ramsey (toe), Morgan Rogers (hamstring), Matty Cash (calf), Youri Tielemans (groin), Nicolo Zaniolo (foot) Doubtful: None Unai Emery quotes: "Zaniolo broke his metatarsal and it is bad news. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have sacked head coach Massimiliano Allegri just two days after Wednesday's Coppa Italia triumph.