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.

Match preview

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.

Team News

As for the visitors, Jorja Fox could miss out after picking an injury in Sunday's narrow win over West Ham.

Poppy Pattinson came on to replace Fox in first-half stoppage time, and she could be included in the lineup if the 19-year-old is unable to feature.

Green came into the side against West Ham, and after scoring the winning goal, she will retain her place for Wednesday's contest.

As for Arsenal, Leah Williamson, Laura Wienroither, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema are all ruled out due to anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Kim Little is sidelined with a hamstring problem, while Caitlin Foord is unlikely to feature after missing the last four matches.

Steph Catley is also a doubt after she was forced against Leicester within 16 minutes of being introduced as a substitute.

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

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:
D'Angelo; Wubben-Moy, Beattie, Rafaelle; Maritz, Maanum, Walti, McCabe; Pelova, Kuhl, Blackstenius

We say: Brighton & Hove Albion Women 1-2 Arsenal Women

Having improved under Phillips's tutelage, Brighton will present Arsenal with a tricky test, but we expect the Gunners to have enough quality to claim a narrow victory.


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