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

Manchester City Women will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 13 Women's Super League games when they travel to the Broadfield Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion Women on Sunday.

The Citizens currently reside in second place in the WSL table, while the visitors are languishing in 11th position after picking up just two points from their last six league games.

Match preview

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After just seven games in charge, Jens Scheuer left his role as Brighton boss on Monday, leaving Amy Merrick to take over as interim boss for the second time this season.

Merrick had little time to prepare for Wednesday's meeting with the reigning WSL champions Chelsea, who eased to a comfortable 3-1 victory over the Seagulls.

Brighton are now winless in six league games, and they are just two points clear of the one and only relegation place with a game in hand.

Having conceded 19 goals across their previous four home matches in the WSL, the Seagulls will need to produce an improved defensive display if they are to trouble their title-chasing opponents.

Merrick will also be targeting a positive start from her side, as Brighton have only scored the first goal in just two of their 12 WSL games this term.

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Man City are firmly in the title hunt after they came from behind to claim a 3-1 away victory over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Celin Bizet Ildhusoy gave Spurs the lead, but Khadija Shaw netted a hat-trick to guide her side to their third consecutive league victory.

Gareth Taylor's side head into the weekend three points adrift of their local rivals and league leaders Manchester United, who will face second-placed Chelsea on Sunday.

Man City know that they have the chance to gain ground on at least one of the top two, and with their next two league fixtures taking place against Chelsea and Arsenal, the visitors will want to avoid any slip-ups against Brighton.

The Citizens have fond memories of recent games against the Seagulls, having scored 23 goals across the last four meetings, which all produced comfortable Man City victories.

Team News

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Brighton have no fresh injury concerns, although they are still unable to call upon Maisie Symonds, who will miss a fifth consecutive game through injury.

Veatriki Sarri dropped out of the starting XI in midweek, but she could be recalled to the lineup for Sunday's encounter.

After coming off the bench to score a late consolation goal against Chelsea, Carter may be presented with a starting opportunity.

As for the visitors, Taylor has revealed that Hayley Raso and Alanna Kennedy are nearing a return to action, although Sunday's game may come too soon for the pair.

After claiming a 3-1 victory over Tottenham last weekend, Taylor is expected to name an unchanged lineup.

Shaw, who has seven goals in her last two competitive appearances, is currently the league's top scorer with 13 goals, and she will be looking to continue her impressive form when she leads the line on Sunday.

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:

L. Williams; Kullberg, Connolly, V. Williams, Morse, Pattinson; Robinson, Olme, Lee, Sarri; Carter

Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:

Roebuck; Aleixandri, Houghton, Greenwood, Ouahabi; Angeldahl, Hasegawa; Kelly, Coombs, Hemp; Shaw

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

Man City have won their last five away matches in the WSL, and we think that they will make light work of a Brighton side who have lost three of their previous four home league games.

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