Preview: Brighton v United Women

The league encounter kicks off at 12:30 GMT and will take place at the Broadfield Stadium in West Sussex, where the Reds will look to climb into the top four with a victory.

Last time out, United drew with Leicester City over 90 minutes before losing on penalties in the Continental Cup, and will therefore be looking for a return to winning ways in this, the first of three outings in the space of just seven days.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of Sunday’s meeting…

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE MATCH?

Tickets can still be purchased from Brighton’s official ticketing site, while the game will be shown live in the UK on BBC Two with coverage starting at 12:15 GMT. As always, you can keep up with all the key moments on our dedicated women’s team social media accounts; a match report will be published on ManUtd.com and in our Official App.

THE OPPOSITION

Brighton have enjoyed a strong start to the season under manager Hope Powell and currently sit third in the table after eight games played. The Seagulls, however, have won just one of their last three fixtures in all competitions, as they enter Sunday’s meeting on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Reading almost three weeks ago. 

Maya Le Tissier is among the Albion players to look out for. The England Under-23 international is still only just 19, but has cemented herself well in this ever improving Brighton team, and will be looking to cause the Reds trouble at any opportunity down the right flank.

TEAM NEWS

Marc Skinner confirmed on Friday that both Martha Harris and Jackie Groenen will be sidelined until after Christmas, as they step up their respective returns from injury. Millie Turner returned from a three-month injury lay-off against the Foxes last time out, and will again be bidding to be involved for this weekend's away trip.

FORM GUIDE

The Reds will be looking for a first league victory since the beginning of October on Sunday, with our last triumph coming against Birmingham City, in a 2-0 away win. Since then, we have drawn three and lost one of our last four WSL meetings with qualifying for the Champions League again the real aim this season, heading into the busy festive period. Sitting just three points behind this weekend’s challengers, the United Women will no doubt be looking to bridge the gap between the two sides when they lock horns in West Sussex. 

As for Albion, they have tasted defeat just once at home thus far domestically this season, and will be looking to build on that rich run of form when United arrive. A late Maisie Symonds effort handed Powell’s side all three points in their last WSL outing, despite them losing their last two games against London City and Reading.

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD

The two sides have met six times in total since 2019, with the Reds coming out victorious on 4 occasions. Brighton did pick up all three points the last time the two teams met in April of this year, with Inessa Kaagman’s first half strike the only difference in the contest. United did however win the season’s earlier meeting, in a convincing 3-0 victory with Ella Toone, Alessia Russo and Jane Ross all on target for then boss Casey Stoney.

RIVALS WATCH

 United’s game is one of six matches taking place this weekend in the WSL...

SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER

Reading vs Chelsea (11:30 GMT)

SUNDAY 12 DECEMBER

Brighton vs United (12:30 GMT)

Everton vs West Ham (13:00 GMT)

Birmingham vs Man City (14:00 GMT)

Aston Villa vs Tottenham (18:00 GMT)

Arsenal vs Leicester City (18:45 GMT)