Everton Women vs Brighton & Hove Albion: WSL Match Preview

Today at 12:37 AM

Sorensen insists that Blues: 'we are ready for the task.'

Brian Sorensen is looking forward to seeing his Everton Women's team play and has admitted that he and his backroom staff have worked hard on having a healthier 2024/25.

Last season was blighted by injuries, but the Blues boss has promised better dialogue with international managers as he looks to avoid his stars having extended periods on the sidelines.

The squad travels to Brighton & Hove Albion this Saturday and may well include new signings Rylee Foster and Lauren Thomas, both of whom have signed short term deals from A-League side Wellington Phoenix and Women's Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers, respectively.

And Sorensen feels his side are ready for the task on the against the Seagulls, saying:

"They've [Brighton] [ brought a lot in, were active on deadline day and added a couple more.

"We will have to see what they come with.

"I have a pretty good idea of how Dario [Vidošić] will want to play having watched a couple of Melbourne City games. He will probably try to have the same structure. Who they are going to play as the wingers, the nine, the 10s, they have so many options now.

"We are looking forward to seeing ourselves play and we are ready for the task."

And on the injury front, the Dane continued:

"It's something we looked at, we analysed where a lot of the injuries came from. We especially looked internationally because there were tough Nations League games then our league games were tough.

"We analysed that, how we play and how they are positioned with their national teams because sometimes they're getting exposed to different kinds of positions.

"We will prepare them better and have better dialogue with the national teams because 60-70% of the injuries that we got were in and around national team periods.

"We have hopefully learned from it and can manage it better.

"There were also a lot of freak accidents that we hope will not happen again this year."

The Opposition

Finishing one place and four points below their weekend visitors, Brighton will be hoping new signings like former Blue, Nikita Parris, and Chelsea legend Fran Kirby will help the South Coast outfit mount a serious assault on the top six.

The two aforementioned signings are arguably the marquee acquisitions for new coach Vidošić, who arrived in July from A-League club Melbourne City, where he took over as head coach in 2023 on route to leading them to the league title.

Previous Meetings

Brighton fell victim to the Holmgaard twins in April as the Blues claimed victory at the American Express Stadium last season.

Sara's pinpoint cross was headed home by Karen to put the visitors in front.

Tatiana Pinto levelled minutes later only for Guro Bergsvand to put through her own net to give Everton all three points.

Past meetings have the sides level with four wins each and four draws in 12 encounters.

Also level for the Toffees is their opening day record in the past ten seasons, with five draws and five defeats, Everton's last draw coming against Birmingham City in 2014.

Here's to six-five in our favour tomorrow.

Everton Women get their 2024/25 campaign up and running tomorrow at Brighton & Hove Albion. Kick-off at 12.30pm (BST).