Preview: Brighton & Hove Albion Women vs. Arsenal Women
Arsenal Women will attempt to move into the Champions League places when they travel to the Broadfield Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion Women on Wednesday.
The Seagulls will be in a buoyant mood after they boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 home win over West Ham United at the weekend.
Melissa Phillips has overseen an upturn in fortunes since being appointed Brighton boss last month, having lost just one of her four league games in charge.
A 3-2 win over Everton was followed by an away defeat to Liverpool, before the Seagulls played out an entertaining 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
Brighton would have been disappointed to give up the lead on two occasions against Spurs, but they made amends at the weekend, claiming a 1-0 win over West Ham thanks to Kayleigh Green’s second-half effort.
The victory moved the Seagulls up to ninth position and leaves them on the brink of securing their safety with five points separating them from Reading, who occupy the one and only relegation place and have played a game more.
Although relegation looks unlikely, Phillips will be challenging her players to finish the season as strong as possible, and she will be hoping that her side can spring a surprise on Wednesday as they bid to claim a third consecutive home win.
Arsenal responded to their Champions League semi-final exit with a narrow 1-0 victory over Leicester City last Thursday.
Katie McCabe saw her seventh-minute penalty saved by Janina Leitzig, but it did not prove to be costly as Frida Maanum scored the winning goal in the second half to clinch a 1-0 victory.
Arsenal may be targeting the WSL title, but their first priority will be to seal a Champions League place with three points separating them from third-placed Manchester City, who have played two games more.
Due to their superior goal difference compared to the Citizens, the Gunners know that a win on Wednesday will move them into the top three.
After claiming a 4-0 win over the Seagulls earlier this season, Arsenal have won seven successive meetings with Wednesday’s opponents, which will provide them with inspiration ahead of their trip to West Sussex.
Brighton & Hove Albion Women Women’s Super League form:
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Brighton & Hove Albion Women form (all competitions):
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