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

With two points separating them in the Women's Super League table, Brighton & Hove Albion Women will play host to Everton Ladies on Sunday.

The Seagulls are currently sat in 11th place in the WSL, while Everton head into the weekend in eighth position.

Match preview

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Amy Merrick took over as Brighton boss after Hope Powell resigned from her position following a demoralising 8-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

The interim manager began her tenure with two victories and one draw across all competitions, before the Seagulls were beaten by an in-form Manchester City side last weekend.

Brighton were left with an impossible task after they conceded three goals within 26 minutes, although Lee Geum-min restored a degree of respectability to the scoreline with a consolation goal in stoppage time.

The 3-1 defeat leaves Brighton in 11th place, but they are seven points clear of the one and only relegation spot, with Leicester City still searching for their first point of the season.

Having conceded 18 goals across their last four league games, the Seagulls know that they will need to improve defensively if they are to move away from the bottom of the WSL table.

Meanwhile, Everton have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions after losing 4-2 in the League Cup to Manchester United during the week.

The Red Devils raced into a 4-1 lead inside 27 minutes on Wednesday, and although Karen Holmgaard reduced the deficit in stoppage time, the defeat confirmed Everton's elimination from the League Cup at the group stage.

Everton will now turn their attention to league matters, where they will be looking to return to winning ways after losing their last three WSL matches.

Brian Sorensen will be aware that all three of those defeats took place against teams currently in the top four, and he will view Sunday's fixture as a chance to pick up three points, especially as Everton have performed well on their travels.

In two of their last three away WSL games, the Toffees have beaten their local rivals Liverpool and Aston Villa, keeping clean sheets in both of those victories.

Team News

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Rebekah Stott returned to the Brighton squad last weekend following a spell on the sidelines, and after being an unused substitute against Man City, she is expected to be on the bench once again on Sunday.

Despite losing to the Citizens, Merrick could name an unchanged lineup, which would see Victoria Williams continue her central defensive partnership with Kayleigh Green.

After scoring against Man City last weekend, Lee Geum-min will look to add to the three goals that she has registered in all competitions this season when she partners Danielle Carter up front.

As for the visitors, Elise Stenevik missed the midweek League Cup defeat to Man United, and she is expected to be sidelined for Sunday's contest.

Clare Wheeler and Katrina Veje are both expected to return from injuries to be included in the matchday squad, and the latter could be presented with a starting place.

Katja Snoeijs is set to lead the line for the visitors, and she will be joined in the front three by Jess Park and Aggie Beever-Jones.

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:

Walsh; Fox, Williams, Green, Pattinson; Robinson, Connolly, Zigiotti Olme, Sarri; Carter, Lee

Everton Ladies possible starting lineup:

Ramsey; Graham, Sevecke, Veje, George; Wheeler, Bennison, Bjorn; Park, Beever-Jones, Snoeijs

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

Although Everton have struggled in recent weeks, they have won two of their last three away league games, and we think that they will claim a narrow victory over a Brighton side who are winless in three home WSL matches.

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