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Women's Super League | Gameweek 14
Mar 8, 2023 at 7.30pm UK
Wheatsheaf Park

Chelsea Women
3 - 1
Brighton Women

Reiten (12' pen.), Carter (21'), Rytting-Kaneryd (71')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Carter (88')
Sarri (68')

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

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Women's Super League clash between Chelsea Women and Brighton & Hove Albion Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

After losing 3-1 to London rivals Arsenal in Sunday's League Cup final, Chelsea Women will be looking for a positive response when they face Brighton & Hove Albion Women in the Women's Super League on Wednesday.

The hosts currently occupy third position, while the Seagulls are languishing in 11th place after failing to win any of their last five league games.


Match preview

Chelsea Women's Sophie Ingle celebrates scoring their first goal with Lauren James on February 26, 2023© Reuters

After beating Arsenal 2-0 in the FA Cup at the end of February, Chelsea would have been confident of claiming their third League Cup trophy when they faced the Gunners in Sunday's final at Selhurst Park.

The Blues could not have wished for a better start as Sam Kerr headed her side in front inside two minutes, but Arsenal quickly changed the complexion of the game with a Stina Blackstenius equaliser and a Kim Little spot kick, before a Niamh Charles own goal gave the Gunners a 3-1 half-time lead, which they refused to let slip.

While the chance of winning one trophy has slipped away, Chelsea still have the opportunity to win three competitions this season, including a potential fourth consecutive WSL title.

Emma Hayes's side are currently one point behind second-placed Manchester City and four points adrift of league leaders Manchester United, but with two games in hand over the top two, the title race remains in Chelsea's hands.

Before the Blues can turn their attention to Sunday's crucial league meeting with Man United, they will be looking to extend their unbeaten home run to 21 league games when they play host to Brighton on Wednesday.

Brighton & Hove Albion Women's Lee Geum-min reacts on December 4, 2022© Reuters

The Seagulls, meanwhile, will head into the midweek encounter without a permanent manager after Jens Scheuer, who was only appointed in December, left the club by mutual consent on Monday.

Although Scheuer won his most recent game by a 5-0 scoreline against Championship side Coventry United in the FA Cup, he departs the club without a win in his three WSL matches.

Just as she did when Hope Powell resigned in October, Amy Merrick will take interim charge of the Seagulls, who are languishing in 11th place - two points above the only relegation spot.

Brighton are currently winless in five league matches, and their most recent WSL victory took place under Merrick's watch in November when the South-coast side recorded a dramatic 5-4 win over West Ham United.

Having shipped 39 goals in 11 league games this season, Brighton currently hold the worst defensive record in the top flight, and Merrick will be looking to instigate an immediate improvement from her backline.

Chelsea Women Women's Super League form:


Chelsea Women form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L

Brighton & Hove Albion Women Women's Super League form:


Brighton & Hove Albion Women form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W


Team News

Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes on February 26, 2023© Reuters

Chelsea will be unable to call upon the services of Pernille Harder and Katerina Svitkova, who are both sidelined with injury issues.

Hayes may decide to bring a number of fresh legs into the lineup, with Jess Carter, Kadiesha Buchanan and Jessie Fleming all in contention for starting berths.

After scoring 11 goals in her last six competitive appearances for Chelsea, Kerr will be looking to continue her impressive form when she leads the line against Brighton.

As for the visitors, Elisabeth Terland may retain her place in the starting lineup after returning from a spell on the sidelines to play 80 minutes against Coventry.

Brianna Visalli scored a brace in the comfortable FA Cup victory, and she could also keep her position in the centre of midfield alongside Julia Zigiotti Olme.

After coming off the bench to bag herself two goals in the win over Coventry, Lee Geum-min is expected to feature in the forward line on Tuesday.

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:
Berger; Charles, Bright, Buchanan, Carter; Ingle, Cuthbert; James, Fleming, Reiten; Kerr

Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:
Williams; Morse, Kullberg, Bergsvand, Pattinson; Connolly, Visalli, Olme, Robinson; Terland, Lee


SM words green background

We say: Chelsea Women 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion Women

Brighton have conceded 14 goals across their last four away league games, and we think a vulnerable backline may struggle to keep the league's second-highest scorers at bay, which could result in a comfortable Chelsea win.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a draw in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Draw:data


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Written by
Ben Sully

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Game History

How you voted: Chelsea Women vs Brighton Women

Chelsea Women
75.0%
Draw
18.8%
Brighton & Hove Albion Women
6.3%
16
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Chelsea Women's Lauren James celebrates scoring with teammates on February 5, 2023
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