Women's match preview: Brighton v United

Following last weekend's postponement of our home match against Chelsea due to the effects of Storm Ciara, it will be a second away match in a row for Casey Stoney's side, who were last in action on 2 February, drawing 1-1 with Reading at Adams Park.

Ahead of our midweek game, at the home of Crawley Town, here's everything you need to know...

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?

Wednesday's match will be streamed live on the FA Player, with kick-off taking place at 19:45 GMT. As usual, we’ll be providing updates on our official Twitter account @ManUtdWomen and, after the game, a full match report will be published on ManUtd.com and in our Official App. MUTV will show the match in full at 22:15 GMT, while video highlights will be available on the website.

FORM GUIDE

With two match postponements already in 2020, this will be just United's fourth league match of the calendar year. The Reds have a win, a draw and a defeat in the WSL since the 1 January, and will be hoping to pick up a second away win of the campaign, with the only previous success on the road coming against Tottenham Hotspur.

As for our hosts, Brighton currently occupy ninth position in the table, with three wins, three draws and eight defeats thus far. The Seagulls' form has improved somewhat recently, with two victories from their last four league matches, against Liverpool and Everton. Hope Powell's side were due to play Birmingham City on Sunday, but their fixture was also called off due to the weather.

OUR RECORD AGAINST BRIGHTON

The Reds have certainly enjoyed facing the Seagulls this term, with two wins coming in league and cup competitions. Our first meeting, which came in the WSL at Leigh Sports Village back in November, saw us emerge 4-0 victors courtesy of a Leah Galton brace and strikes from Lauren James and Katie Zelem. 

A month ago, we met again in the quarter-finals of the Continental League Cup. Abbie McManus opened the scoring for United, before Jane Ross doubled our advantage with 15 minutes to play. A Kayleigh Green spot-kick halved the deficit in the closing stages, but Stoney's side held on to win.

ONES TO WATCH

James has scored three times in our three previous meetings against Brighton. The youngster bagged a brace against the Seagulls when the two sides met in last season's FA Cup and was on the scoresheet in our home match at Leigh Sports Village back in November. James has also netted five goals in her last five United appearances in the Women's Super League, including our opener versus Reading last time out.

Brighton have scored just 10 goals in 14 Women's Super League games this season. Top scorer, Aileen Whelan, with four, netted for the Seagulls in their most recent league fixture against Everton and will be eager to help contribute more on Wednesday evening.

After all six fixtures were called off last weekend, United v Brighton is one of five matches taking place on Wednesday. Chelsea face struggling Birmingham City while Manchester City are at home to bottom side Bristol City. Elsewhere, Reading meet West Ham United at Adams Park while Tottenham host Everton.

On Thursday, Liverpool are at home to Arsenal.

The full list of fixtures is below...

WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY

Brighton & Hove Albion v UNITED (19:45 GMT)
Chelsea v Birmingham City
Manchester City v Bristol City
Reading v West Ham (19:30 GMT)
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton (19:30 GMT)

THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY

Liverpool v Arsenal

Kick-offs at 19:00 GMT unless stated otherwise.

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