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

The hosts currently occupy third position, while the Seagulls are languishing in 11th place after failing to win any of their last five league games.

Match preview

After beating Arsenal 2-0 in the FA Cup at the end of February, Chelsea would have been confident of claiming their third League Cup trophy when they faced the Gunners in Sunday's final at Selhurst Park.

The Blues could not have wished for a better start as Sam Kerr headed her side in front within two minutes, but Arsenal quickly changed the complexion of the game with a Stina Blackstenius equaliser and a Kim Little spot-kick, before a Niamh Charles own goal gave the Gunners a 3-1 half time lead, which they refused to let slip.

While the chance of winning one trophy has slipped away, Chelsea are still involved in the Champions League and FA Cup, and they are also in the hunt for their fourth consecutive league title.

Emma Hayes's side are currently one point behind second-placed Manchester City and four points adrift of league leaders Manchester United, but with two games in hand over the top two, the title race remains in Chelsea's hands.

Before the Blues can turn their attention to Sunday's crucial league meeting with Man United, they will be looking to extend their unbeaten home run to 21 league games.

The Seagulls, meanwhile, will head into the midweek encounter without a permanent manager after Jens Scheuer, who was only appointed in December, left the club by mutual consent on Monday.

Although Scheuer won his most recent game by a 5-0 scoreline against Championship side Coventry United in the FA Cup, he departs the club without a win in his WSL matches.

Just as she did when Hope Powell resigned in October, Amy Merrick will take interim charge of the Seagulls, who are languishing in 11th place - two points above the only relegation play.

Brighton are currently winless in five league matches, and their most recent WSL victory took place under Merrick's watch in November when the South Coast side recorded a dramatic 5-4 win over West Ham United.

Having shipped 39 league goals this season, Brighton currently hold the worst defensive record in the top flight, and Merrick will be looking to instigate an immediate improvement from her backline as they prepare to face the reigning WSL champions.

Chelsea Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

W

W

D

W

Chelsea Women form (all competitions):

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

W

D

L

L

D

L

Team News

Chelsea will be unable to call upon the services of Pernille Harder and Katerina Svitkova, who are both sidelined with injury issues.

Hayes may decide to bring a number of fresh legs into the lineup, with Jess Carter, Kadiesha Buchanan and Jessie Fleming all in contention for starting berths.

After scoring 11 goals in her last six competitive appearances for Chelsea, Kerr will be looking to continue her impressive when she leads the line against Brighton.

As for the visitors, Elisabeth Terland may retain her place in the starting lineup after returning from a spell on the sidelines to play 80 minutes against Coventry.

Brianna Visalli scored a brace in the comfortable FA Cup victory, and she could also keep her position in the centre of midfield alongside Julia Zigiotti Olme.

After coming off the bench to bag herself two goals in the win over Coventry, Lee Geum-min is expected to feature in the forward line on Tuesday.

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:

Berger; Charles, Bright, Buchanan, Carter; Ingle, Cuthbert; James, Fleming, Reiten; Kerr

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:

Williams; Morse, Kullberg, Bergsvand, Pattinson; Connolly, Visalli, Olme, Robinson; Terland, Lee

We say: Chelsea Women 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion Women

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