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

Reading Women will look to avoid a third consecutive defeat in all competitions when they play host to Brighton & Hove Albion Women on Sunday.

The Royals are currently sitting in 10th place, while the visitors occupy 11th position after failing to win their last seven league games.

Match preview

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Reading were knocked out of the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last weekend after losing 3-1 at home to holders Chelsea.

The Royals will now turn their attention to their final seven fixtures of the WSL, as they fight to preserve their WSL status.

Kelly Chambers's side are currently three points clear of the basement side Leicester City, and they will be keen to at least maintain that gap ahead of next weekend's away fixture against the Foxes.

Having collected all 10 of their WSL points from home games, the Royals will view Sunday's contest as a prime opportunity to pick up a positive result.

Reading can also draw inspiration from the fact that they have won all three of their WSL home games against the Seagulls.

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Although Brighton have picked up just two points from their last seven games, they will head into the weekend in a positive mood after advancing to the FA Cup semi-finals last Sunday.

Poppy Pattinson opened the scoring in the 28th minute of Brighton's quarter-final tie with Championship side Birmingham before Danielle Carter quickly added a second from the spot.

With Birmingham unable to find a response in the second half, Brighton moved into the last four where they will face Manchester United on April 16.

Interim boss Amy Merrick will be hoping that Brighton can use the confidence gained from their cup run to help in their WSL survival bid, with the Seagulls only one point clear of Leicester, who have played two games more.

Having conceded at least three goals in six of their seven away league matches this season, Brighton will be targeting a strong defensive display on Sunday.

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Reading's Deanne Rose has recently stepped up her recovery from a long-term injury, but she remains unavailable for Sunday's relegation six-pointer.

Gemma Evans dropped down to the bench last Sunday, but after coming on as a half-time substitute, the defender is expected to return to the lineup this weekend.

Sanne Troelsgaard, who came into the starting XI for the FA Cup meeting with Chelsea, managed to find the net in the FA Cup quarter-final tie, and she is expected to retain her place in the side.

As for the visitors, Maisie Symonds and Dejana Stefanovic have been struggling with injury issues in recent weeks, and the pair are not expected to return in time for Sunday's contest.

After beating Birmingham in the last eight of the FA Cup last weekend, Merrick could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup.

Having scored eight goals in 15 competitive appearances this term, Carter will pose one of Brighton's main goal threats.

Reading Women possible starting lineup:

Moloney; Bryson, Mayi Kith, Evans, Mukandi; Troelsgaard, Vanhaevermaet, Moore; Wellings, Eikeland, Rowe

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:

Walsh; Pattinson, Bergsvand, V. Williams, Fox; Robinson, Visalli, Bance, Olme; Carter, Connolly

We say: Reading Women 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion Women

With the two sides separated by just two points in the WSL relegation battle, we expect Sunday's meeting to produce a cagey contest, which we believe will result in the spoils being shared.

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