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

Two sides desperate for victory will go head-to-head when Bristol City Women play host to Brighton & Hove Albion Women on Sunday.

The Robins are currently propping up the Women's Super League table, while the Seagulls are five points better off in 11th position.

---

Match preview

Having won just one of their 14 league matches, Bristol City are facing the very real prospect of dropping straight back down to the second tier.

The Robins fell to a heavy 5-2 defeat to Leicester City in their final game before the international break, with the result representing their fourth loss in five league matches.

Although they have scored seven goals across their previous four games, their vulnerability at the opposite end of the pitch has left them on the verge of relegation.

Lauren Smith's side have shipped 38 league goals this season, leaving them with the worst defensive record in the top flight.

The hosts are still searching for their first home points of the season, having lost each of their six home league games.

Brighton interim boss Mikey Harris is still searching for his first WSL points after seeing his opening two league games end in defeat.

Harris saw his side lose 2-0 to Manchester United in his opening game, before the Seagulls fell to a narrow loss in their home meeting with Liverpool.

The South-coast side have now won just one of their last eight league games, with their struggles in front of goal contributing to that poor run of form.

Brighton have failed to trouble the scoresheet in five of those eight matches, including each of their last three outings in the WSL.

Perhaps the Seagulls can take confidence from the fact that they racked up the goals to win 3-2 in their most recent meeting with Bristol City in January.

---

Team News

Bristol City are likely to be without the services of Fran Bentley, Satara Murray, Abi Harrison and Rachel Furness due to injury.

Scotland international Lisa Evans could return to the side after dropping down to the bench for the defeat to Leicester.

Amalie Thestrup represents one of Bristol City's main goal threats, having scored eight goals in 14 matches this season.

As for the Seagulls, they are unable to call upon Colombia international Jocelyn Carabali, who is currently away with her country at the Gold Cup in the USA.

Pauline Bremer could be brought into the side after she returned from injury to play the final half-hour against Liverpool.

Brighton top scorer Elisabeth Terland will be looking to add to her nine-goal league tally when she leads the line against the Robins.

Bristol City Women possible starting lineup: Yanez; Powell, Layzell, Connolly, Aspin, Napier; Morgan, Rodgers, Jones, Evans; Thestrup

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup: Baggaley; Kullberg, Bergsvand, Thorisdottir, Pattinson; Losada, Zigiotti Olme; Robinson, Pinto, Bremer; Terland

---

We say: Bristol City Women 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion Women

Although Brighton have won just three league games this season, we think that they will prove too strong for a Bristol City side that has lost 10 of their 14 WSL matches this term.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

---

---