Two relegation-threatened sides will face off when Brighton & Hove Albion Women face Bristol City Women in Sunday's Women's Super League contest.
The Seagulls are currently sitting in 10th place with eight points to their name, while the Robins are propping up the table after collecting just five points from their 10 league matches.
Match preview
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Brighton are hoping the new year brings an upturn in fortunes after winning just two of their 10 WSL games prior to the winter break (D2, L6).
After beating Manchester City 1-0 on November 12, the Seagulls went on to take just one point from their final four league matches of 2023.
While they may be struggling in the top flight this season, Melissa Phillips's side made light work of fifth-tier Luton Town in last weekend's FA Cup tie.
The Seagulls eased to a 6-0 away win over their lower-league opponents thanks to a Tatiana Pinto brace as well as goals from Veatriki Sarri, Vicky Losada, Elisabeth Terland and Pauline Bremer.
Although they are set to return to home comforts this weekend, Brighton have been unable to produce their best form in front of their own supporters, having failed to win any of their last seven home league games since edging out West Ham United in May.
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After winning promotion from the Championship last season, Bristol City have found it difficult to adjust to their new surroundings in the top flight.
With seven of their 10 league outings ending in defeat (W1, D2), the Robins are sitting bottom of the table due to their inferior goal difference compared to 11th-placed West Ham United.
Lauren Smith will be looking for her side to improve at both ends of the pitch, as they currently hold the worst defensive record in the WSL, while they are also the joint-third lowest scorers.
Unfortunately for the Bristol City boss, she saw her side experience more disappointment in last Sunday's FA Cup clash with Liverpool, which resulted in a 1-0 defeat following Gemma Bonner's 85th-minute winner.
Having played their last three competitive matches at home, Bristol City may relish the chance to head on the road with all five of their WSL points coming from away games.
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Team News
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Brighton are expected to be without Charlie Rule and Jorelyn Carabali after the pair missed the FA Cup win over Luton.
Madison Haley is progressing well in her injury recovery, but Sunday's contest may come too soon for the American forward.
After beginning the recent cup tie on the bench, Maisie Symonds and Terland are both in contention to start against Bristol City.
As for the visitors, they are expected to be without Fran Bentley, Olivia Clark, Satara Murray, Brooke Aspin and Rachel Furness.
Goalkeeper Shae Yanez will make her first WSL appearance after she completed a permanent move from the San Diego Wave earlier this month.
Danish forward Amalie Thestrup will be one of Bristol City's main goal threats, having scored five times in 10 league matches this season.
Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:
Baggaley; Kullberg, Thorisdottir, Bergsvand; Robinson, Symonds, Losada, Pattinson; Bremer, Sarri, Terland
Bristol City Women possible starting lineup:
Yanez; Powell, Layzell, Connolly, Mustaki, Napier; Syme, Jones, Rodgers; Harrison, Thestrup
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion Women 1-1 Bristol City Women
Although Bristol City may be propping up the table, they have taken points from three of their five away league games this season.
With that in mind, we think the Robins may do enough to hold Brighton to a draw, especially as the hosts are yet to win a home WSL match this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
