Manchester United Women will attempt to claim a fourth consecutive league win when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion Women to Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls will be looking to clinch their first top-flight win since November, having taken just one point from their last three Women's Super League matches.
Match preview
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Man United have put together a three-game winning league run since they suffered their only WSL defeat of the season in November's away clash with Chelsea.
The Red Devils beat Liverpool and Crystal Palace without conceding in their final two league games of 2024, before they pulled off an impressive 4-2 victory in last Sunday's derby clash with Manchester City.
Ella Toone scored a hat-trick alongside a Leah Galton effort to clinch maximum points at the Etihad Stadium, moving Man United above their city rivals and into third position at the halfway point of the season.
Unfortunately for Man United, they were unable to replicate that success in Wednesday's Women's League Cup quarter-final against Man City, with Millie Turner's 35th-minute effort proving fruitless in a 2-1 home defeat against their local rivals.
While they would have been disappointed with their cup exit, the Red Devils will still head into Sunday's fixture in a confident mood, especially as they are one of three teams yet to lose a WSL home game this season (W3, D2).
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Brighton have experienced a downturn in fortunes since beginning the season with four wins, one draw and one defeat.
The Seagulls have lost three of their last five WSL matches (W1, D1), including a narrow loss in their away meeting with Liverpool.
Nikita Parris scored in the 66th minute to cancel out Olivia Smith's first-half effort, but a late Jocelyn Carabali own goal ultimately condemned the Seagulls to a third consecutive away defeat.
Dario Vidosic's side experienced another disappointing outing in midweek, falling to a heavy 4-0 loss in their Women's League Cup quarter-final tie against holders Arsenal.
The South-coast club will be looking to produce a positive response in Sunday's trip to Leigh Sports Village, with the visitors looking to claim their first WSL victory over Man United since recording a 1-0 home win in April 2021.
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Team News
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Man United are expected to be without Lisa Naalsund and Evie Rabjohn, while Geyse remains on compassionate leave.
Marc Skinner is confident that Turner and Melvine Malard will be available for selection despite being forced off in midweek.
After making changes for the quarter-final defeat, Skinner could revert to the lineup that started last Sunday's league win over Man City.
As for the Seagulls, they are expected to be without Aisha Masaka and Fran Kirby, with the latter pushing to return to action around the start of next month.
Defender Caitlin Hayes could feature in the matchday squad after recently completing a permanent move from Celtic.
Parris will lead the line for the visitors, with the striker looking to add to her four-goal league tally, which includes an effort in the reverse fixture against her former club.
Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:
Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, George; Miyazawa, Janssen; Bizet, Toone, Galton; Terland
Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:
Baggaley; Carabali, Bergsvand, Pattinson; McLauchlan, Losada, Cankovic, Olislagers; Seike, Vilamala; Parris
We say: Manchester United Women 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion Women
Man United were held to a 1-1 draw when they last faced Brighton in October's reverse fixture, but with home advantage in their favour this time around, we think that they will do enough to claim all three points to maintain their unbeaten home record in the WSL.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
