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

The Toffees finished in sixth place last term, while the South Coast club would have been disappointed with their 11th-place finish.

Match preview

After finishing in 10th position in the 2021-22 season, Everton fared much better in Brian Sorensen's first full campaign as Everton boss.

The Toffees collected 30 points from their 22 games to achieve a top-half finish, providing a solid foundation for Sorensen's side to build upon this season.

Everton have seen a number of departures in the summer after Izzy Christiansen announced her retirement and Jess Park returned to Manchester City following her loan spell, while Gabby George recently completed a permanent transfer to Manchester United.

The Toffees have been making their own additions over the summer, bringing in the likes of Alyssa Aherne, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Karoline Olesen and Martina Piemonte.

After beating Brighton 2-1 in their final home game of last season, Everton will be hoping to start the new campaign with another positive result against the Seagulls.

Brighton experienced a difficult 2022-23 season, which saw them use three different permanent managers, including current boss Melissa Phillips.

The former London City Lionesses manager guided the Seagulls to safety after they finished the campaign five points clear of the one and only relegation spot.

While the Seagulls will want to avoid a relegation battle this term, they may be setting their aspirations a little higher following a productive transfer window, having made 10 new additions to their squad.

Goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley and defender Maria Thoridottir have arrived from Manchester United, while Pauline Bremer, Tatiana Pinto, Li Mengwen and Jorelyn Carabali are also among Brighton's new additions.

Having bolstered their squad in a number of areas, Brighton will hope their summer signings can help them end their eight-game winless away run in the WSL.

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Team News

Everton are expected to be without the services of forward Katja Snoeijs, who picked up an injury while on international duty with the Netherlands.

Toni Duggan has returned from maternity leave and is currently building up her fitness, but the 32-year-old will not be ready for Sunday's league opener.

Defender Megan Campbell could feature among the substitutes after joining the Toffees on a free transfer on Friday.

As for the visitors, Phillips is expected to give Chelsea loanee Nicky Evrard the chance to impress in between the posts, with Baggaley having to settle for a place on the bench.

Carabali, Thorisdottir, Li and Vicky Losada could all be included in the starting lineup after joining the South Coast club in the summer.

Bremer is also set to be handed her Brighton debut, with the former Wolfsburg player expected to feature in the forward line.

Everton Ladies possible starting lineup:

Ramsey; Finnigan, Bjorn, Stenevik; Veje, Galli, Wheeler, Olesen, Hope; Sorensen, Piemonte

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:

Evrard; Carabali, Bergsvand, Thorisdottir; Li, Olme, Losada, Pattinson; Robinson, Bremer, Lee

We say: Everton Ladies 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion Women

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