Preview: West Ham United Women vs. Brighton & Hove Albion Women - prediction, team news, lineups

West Ham United Women will attempt to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal when they play host to Brighton & Hove Albion Women on Sunday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are currently without a manager after Hope Powell decided to leave her position following an 8-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Match preview

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West Ham United head into the weekend in seventh place in the Women's Super League after picking up nine points from their opening six games.

Following victories over Aston Villa and Reading, the Hammers had the chance to claim a third straight win when they faced Arsenal last Sunday.

Although Dagny Brynjarsdottir gave West Ham the lead in the 35th minute, goals from Jordan Nobbs, Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum helped the Gunners secure a 3-1 victory.

With all three of their league defeats this season coming against teams in the top three, West Ham will believe that they can return to winnings ways against Brighton

Two of their three WSL wins this season have taken place on home turf, and if they can record another victory on Sunday then they could move into the top half of the table.

Meanwhile, Brighton head into the weekend without a permanent manager after Powell decided to resign from her position.

The former England boss called an end to her tenure following a demoralising 8-0 defeat to Tottenham where the Seagulls conceded seven goals by the 60th minute.

As Brighton begin the search for a new manager, Amy Merricks will take charge of the side on an interim basis, and she will be supported by Alex Penny and Perry Northeast.

Merricks will need to lift a side that are currently in 10th place in the WSL after losing their last three league games.

The visitors can at least take inspiration from the fact that they have won their previous four meetings with West Ham in the WSL.

Team News

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As for the visitors, they are still without the services of Maisy Barker, Jess Ziu and Grace Garrad due to injury issues.

Lucy Parker is also set to miss out for the Hammers, while Hawa Cissoko will serve the third game of a five-match suspension.

Despite losing to Arsenal last weekend, Paul Konchesky could name an unchanged lineup for Sunday's contest.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Maisie Symonds, Megan Connolly and Rebekah Stott, with the trio currently sidelined.

Jorja Fox could be brought into the side to feature in a back four alongside Victoria Williams, Emma Kullberg and Poppy Pattinson.

Katie Robinson has earned her first England call-up, and she will look to round off a memorable week with a positive result on Sunday.

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:

Hillyerd; Shimizu, Stringer, Fisk, Smith; Brynjarsdottir, Longhurst, Hayashi; Evans, Kyvag, Asseyi

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:

Walsh; Fox, Williams, Kullberg, Pattinson; Robinson, Zigiotti Olme, Bance, Sarri; Lee, Terland

We say: West Ham United Women 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion Women

Brighton will be low in confidence, but they usually fare well in meetings with West Ham, and although we think that a win may be out of reach, we believe the Seagulls will hold their hosts to a draw on Sunday.

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