Crystal Palace Women will travel to the Broadfield Stadium for Sunday's Women's Super League meeting with rivals Brighton & Hove Albion Women.
The Seagulls head into the weekend in fifth position, while the Eagles are languishing at the bottom of the WSL table.
Match preview
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Brighton have experienced an underwhelming set of results since they began their WSL campaign with four wins in six matches (D1, L1).
The Seagulls have gone on to lose four of their next six league games, including defeats in their first two WSL matches of 2025.
Dario Vidosic's side fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Liverpool, before they were swept aside by a 3-0 scoreline in last Sunday's away clash with Manchester United.
However, the Seagulls still managed to showcase their top-flight quality in Wednesday's Women's FA Cup clash against second-tier Durham, with Bruna Vilamala, Michelle Agyemang, Guro Bergsvand and Nikita Parris all finding the net in a 4-1 victory to set up a fifth-round tie with Aston Villa.
Brighton will quickly turn their focus to Sunday's derby clash, with the hosts looking to complete a league double after recording a 1-0 victory in October's reverse fixture.
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Basement side Palace will have to spark an upturn in fortunes if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
The Eagles are currently sitting four points adrift from safety after winning one, drawing two and losing nine of their 12 league matches this season.
Laura Kaminski's side have lost each of their last five WSL games, including a narrow defeat in their recent home meeting with Tottenham Hotspur.
Palace looked to have salvaged a point when they fought back from two goals down to level the scoreline at 2-2 goals apiece thanks to goals from Katie Stengel and Ashleigh Weerden, only for their hard work to be undone by Olivia Holdt's 95th-minute winner.
Unfortunately for Palace, they have now shipped 34 goals across their 12 league matches, leaving them with the WSL's worst defensive record and highlighting a key issue that needs addressing if they are to stand any chance of preserving their top-flight status.
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Team News
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Brighton are expected to head into Sunday's fixture without the services of Fran Kirby and Aisha Masaka, while Kiko Seike is a doubt after missing the last two competitive matches.
Goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley is set to return to the side after making way for Melina Loeck for Wednesday's FA Cup win over Durham.
Vidosic could also recall the likes of Rachel McLauchlan, Vicky Losada and Parris, with the latter looking to add to the seven competitive goals she has scored this season.
As for the visitors, Aniek Nouwen could feature in the matchday squad after arriving on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season.
Palace also signed Allyson Swaby on a permanent deal from AC Milan on deadline day, but it remains to be seen whether all the necessary paperwork will be sorted for the defender to play a role in Sunday's contest.
Canada international Clarissa Larisey could be given more minutes off the bench after making her Palace debut as a late substitute against Tottenham last weekend.
Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:
Baggaley; Thorisdottir, Bergsvand, Carabali; McLauchlan, Losada, Cankovic, Olislagers; Bremer, Vilamala, Parris
Crystal Palace Women possible starting lineup:
Majasaari; Sharpe, Green, Everett, Nolan, Woodham; Weerden, Potter, Cato, Gejl; StengelC
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion Women 2-0 Crystal Palace Women
Brighton have won four of their six home league games this season, and we think they will produce another strong home performance to take maximum points from Sunday's derby clash.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
