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

The Citizens are currently sitting in second place in the standings, while the Seagulls occupy ninth position after mustering just four points from five games.

Match preview

Man City enjoyed a positive start to the new WSL season, winning three and drawing one of their opening four matches.

However, their unbeaten start to the season came to an end last Sunday, as they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat in their away meeting with Arsenal.

Gareth Taylor's side were on course to pick up a point when Chloe Kelly cancelled out Steph Catley's opener, but they were ultimately left empty-handed after goalkeeper Khiara Keating misjudged a long ball over the top, allowing Stina Blackstenius to roll home an 87th-minute winner.

Following the disappointing result, the Citizens made full use of the chance to produce an immediate response in Wednesday's League Cup game against Liverpool, with a Kelly brace and goals from Filippa Angeldahl and Jess Park proving enough to secure an entertaining 4-3 victory.

Having been on the road for their last three outings, Man City will be looking forward to returning to the Joie Stadium, where they are unbeaten in their last 21 home league games (W17, D4).

Brighton head into the weekend in ninth position after collecting four points from their opening five league games.

The Seagulls began the campaign with a 2-1 victory over Everton, but they were unable to build upon that result, as they went on to lose three consecutive league games.

Although they halted their losing run in last Sunday's meeting with Man United, the Seagulls were left with a sense of what could have been after being denied their second league win of the season.

Elisabeth Terland saw her opener cancelled out by Ella Toone, before Guro Bergsvand restored Brighton's advantage in the 89th minute, but Melissa Phillips's side were unable to hold on, as Rachel Williams scored a late leveller to ensure the spoils were shared.

Having conceded at least 11 goals in their last four matches, the Seagulls will need to shore up their backline if they are to trouble the Citizens on Sunday.

Manchester City Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

D

W

W

L

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

L

W

L

L

L

D

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Team News

Alex Greenwood has missed the last two matches after sustaining a nasty head clash in England's defeat to Belgium earlier this month, and the Man City defender is unlikely to return for Sunday's contest.

After making a number of changes for the midweek cup game, Taylor could revert back to the side that started against Arsenal last weekend.

Demi Stokes recovered from an injury to make her first appearance in the matchday squad of the season for Wednesday's victory, and she is expected to be on the bench again for the league clash with Brighton.

As for the Seagulls, South Korea international Lee Geum-min is in contention to start following her appearance as a half-time substitute last weekend.

Having played the last two games, former Man United goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley will keep her place between the posts.

The in-form Terland will be looking to score in a fourth consecutive game for the Seagulls when she leads the line on Sunday.

Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:

Keating; Morgan, Kennedy, Aleixandri, Ouahabi; Roord, Hasegawa; Kelly, Fowler, Hemp; Shaw

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:

Baggaley; Bergsvand, Thorisdottir, Carabali, Kullberg; Robinson, Zigiotti Olme, Symonds; Lee, Bremer, Terland

We say: Manchester City Women 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion Women

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