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

The visitors are set to play their first game since Melissa Phillips was relieved of her duties as Brighton's head coach.

Match preview

Man United returned to winning ways in their recent meeting with Aston Villa after they suffered back-to-back defeats to Chelsea and Manchester City in the WSL and League Cup respectively.

Nikita Parris netted a first-half brace to give the Red Devils a two-goal lead at the break, and while Villa's Rachel Daly pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, Man United held firm to record their sixth league win of the season.

While they would have been pleased with the win, the Red Devils stayed in fourth place and seven points adrift of the top three.

Marc Skinner's side will now turn their attention to Sunday's fixture, where they will try to continue their impressive goalscoring run, having found the net in each of their 19 WSL matches since drawing a blank in a defeat to Chelsea in March 2023.

Although they shared the spoils with Brighton in the reverse fixture, Man United can take confidence from having won all of their four WSL home matches against the Seagulls.

Brighton enjoyed a run of three consecutive victories in all competitions before they welcome Chelsea to Broadfield Stadium last weekend.

Unfortunately for the Seagulls, the reigning WSL champions ran out 3-0 winners following a Lauren James brace and a Fran Kirby effort.

On Thursday, the club announced they had decided to sack Phillips, who left her role with the Seagulls in 10th place and six points clear of the sole relegation spot.

Mikey Harris has moved across from his role with the men's academy to take interim charge of the women's senior side, beginning with Sunday's tricky away game against Man United.

The visitors will try to draw inspiration from their valiant performance in the reverse fixture in November when they took the lead on two occasions, only to be denied the win by a 98th-minute equaliser.

Manchester United Women Women's Super League form:

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Manchester United Women form (all competitions):

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

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Brighton & Hove Albion Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Man United are unable to call upon the services of Aoife Mannion, Gabby George, Emma Watson, Evie Rabjohn and Jess Simpson.

After seeing his side edge out Aston Villa last weekend, Skinner could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup for Sunday's contest.

Parris will be looking to continue her fine run of form, having scored five goals across her last four appearances in all competitions.

As for the Seagulls, Madison Haley is expected to be absent for Sunday's away trip after missing the last seven matches through injury.

Harris could make a couple of changes to the side that lost to Chelsea, with Maisie Symonds and Katie Robinson both in contention to start.

Elisabeth Terland will continue to lead the line for the visitors after scoring nine goals in her 12 WSL appearances this season.

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:

Earps; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Naalsund, Zelem; Geyse, Toone, Garcia, Parris

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:

Baggaley; Kullberg, Bergsvand, Thorisdottir, Pattinson; Losada, Zigiotti Olme, Symonds; Bremer, Robinson, Terland

We say: Manchester United Women 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion Women

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