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

Everton Ladies' new boss Jean-Luc Vasseur began his spell with the Toffees on Wednesday evening in the League Cup, but his Women's Super League career starts on Saturday when his side welcome Brighton & Hove Albion Women to Walton Hall Park.

The Seagulls have recorded a good start to the 2021-22 WSL season, currently sitting fifth with nine points and only three points away from a Champions League qualification spot, while Everton are three points behind Saturday's visitors.

Match preview

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Everton dismissed manager Willie Kirk after the Toffees suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat against Manchester City in the League Cup just before the international break.

Kirk's successor Vasseur, who is the former Lyon Women manager, won the Champions League with the French side and was also named as the FIFA World Women's Coach of the Year in 2020.

The Frenchman took charge of his first game on Wednesday evening and he saw his new side defeat Leicester City 3-1 in the League Cup thanks to goals from Anna Anvegard, Izzy Christiansen and Valerie Gauvin.

That victory has left the Merseyside club second in Group B of the League Cup, in what is a tough group in that competition as four of the five teams are top-flight sides.

Hope Powell's Brighton are the first opponents Vasseur will face in the WSL, and the Seagulls enter Saturday's encounter on the back of disappointment in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend.

The Seagulls travelled to North London where they faced a high-flying Arsenal side, and the home team ended Brighton's FA Cup dream courtesy of goals from Kim Little, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson.

Last time out in the WSL, though, Brighton got back on track after defeat against Chelsea, with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, which was Spurs' first league defeat of the campaign.

Geum-Min Lee and Victoria Williams scored for the home side in that encounter, and the Seagulls survived a late scare from Tottenham, who pulled a goal back late on, to secure three points at the People's Pension Stadium.

That last victory in the WSL was nearly a month ago, so Powell will be aiming to get her players to build on that result and claim back-to-back wins in the league for the second time this season, despite their last league outing coming so long ago.

Team News

Vasseur picked a similar lineup for his first game in charge on Wednesday to the side which Kirk last picked in the WSL, with the only change coming at the back as Leonie Maier was replaced by Nathalie Bjorn.

Anvegard will lead the line for the Toffees along with Toni Duggan, who only have one league goal between them this season, and so the attacking duo will want to improve on that stat.

Christiansen, Aurora Galli, Kenza Dali and Hanna Bennison are all expected to continue in midfield, with Claire Emslie and Gauvin attacking options from the bench.

Danique Kerkdijk came back into Brighton's starting 11 for their FA Cup semi-final tie last weekend, and she is expected to line up in a back four along with Emma Koivisto, Williams and Maya Le Tissier.

Danielle Carter, Lee and Aileen Whelan will make up the attacking trio for the away side, with four goals between those three this season, two strikes each for Carter and Lee.

Everton Ladies possible starting lineup:

MacIver; Turner, Sevecke, Bjorn, George; Dali, Christiansen, Galli, Bennison; Annvegard, Duggan

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:

Walsh; Koivisto, Williams, Kerkdijk, Le Tissier; Simpkins, Brazil, Kaagman; Whelan, Lee, Carter

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

Everton's squad has been boosted with the arrival of Vasseur which was demonstrated in their performance and result in the League Cup on Wednesday, and that may give them the edge this weekend.

Brighton will want to bounce back quickly after FA Cup disappointment, but it is expected to be a tough game for the Seagulls as Everton will be looking to put on a show for their fans at home with a new manager.