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

Women's Super League champions Chelsea Women will look to record a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions when they face Brighton & Hove Albion Women on Sunday.

The Seagulls, meanwhile, have lost three of their four competitive games this season, and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat.

Match preview

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After losing 4-0 to Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season, Brighton beat Reading 2-1 to claim their first win of the season.

Rather than building upon their victory over the Royals, Brighton have gone on to lose consecutive games in all competitions.

A 3-2 defeat to Championship side Birmingham City in the League Cup was followed by a disappointing result last weekend when they faced Manchester United.

An Ella Toone brace and a Leah Galton strike gave United a three-goal lead at the break, before Adriana Leon added another in the second half to condemn the Seagulls to a 4-0 defeat.

Although Brighton will face a tough test on Sunday, they can take confidence from the fact that they held Chelsea to a goalless draw in their most recent home meeting with that opposition.

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Chelsea began the season with a surprise defeat to newly-promoted Liverpool, but they have since responded in style, winning four consecutive matches in all competitions.

After beating Manchester City and West Ham United, a Pernille Harder brace and a Niamh Charles strike helped the Blues claim a 3-1 victory over Everton last weekend.

Three straight league wins have left Chelsea in third place, and although they have played a game more, they are level on points with Arsenal and Manchester United, who are currently above them in the league table.

In their most recent encounter, the Blues began their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 away victory over Paris Saint-Germain thanks to Millie Bright's first half goal.

As they turn their attention back to league matters, Chelsea will be confident of claiming three points on Sunday after winning six of their last seven away games in the WSL.

Team News

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The hosts are still without the services of Maisie Symonds, who is yet to feature this season due to an injury issue.

After coming off the bench at half time against Man United, Veatriki Sarri may be presented with a starting place for Saturday's contest.

Lee Geum-min is one of two Brighton players who have scored a league goal this season, and the forward will look to add to her tally when she leads the line against Chelsea.

As for the visitors, they could be without the services of Jelena Cankovic, who has missed the last two matches through injury, while Melanie Leupolz is also unavailable.

After playing in midweek, the Blues could make a few changes to the side, with Jessie Fleming and Eve Perisset in contention for a place in the starting XI.

Lauren James dropped down the bench against PSG, but she could also come back into the lineup for Sunday's contest.

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:

Walsh; Williams, Kullberg, Green; Fox, Zigiotti Olme, Robinson, Terland; Carter, Sarri, Lee

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:

Berger; Bright, Buchanan, Eriksson; Perisset, Cuthbert, Fleming, Harder; Reiten, James, Kerr

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

Chelsea head into Sunday's game in confident mood, and we think that they will cruise to a comfortable win that would represent a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions.

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