Manchester City Women v Brighton Women: Preview, Team News and Prediction

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Blues Welcome Seagulls in First Home Match

Manchester City Women open their home campaign in the WSL as they welcome Brighton to the Joie Stadium. The Blues got their campaign off to a good start last weekend as they drew 2-2 with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and will be looking for their first win of the season against the Seagulls.

Brighton had an amazing start to the new campaign, thrashing Everton 4-0 in their opening match and they will be looking for their second win at City after claiming a 1-0 victory over the Blues last November.

City will go into the match buoyed by their impressive display in the Champions League, where they comfortably beat Paris FC on Thursday night to progress to the group stage.

Despite Brighton's win last weekend, City are likely to go into the match as favourites to take the three points. They have won six of the last seven meetings against the Seagulls and recorded a 4-1 at Brighton the last time these two teams faced each other.

Brighton started life under new manager Dario Vidosic with the 4-0 hammering of Everton, with debutant Kiko Seike becoming the first WSL player to score a hattrick on her debut. Former Chelsea star Fran Kirby, who joined the Seagulls over the summer, also grabbed a debut goal and City will need to watch the England star closely.

Team News

Alex Greenwood should recover in time to captain the team on Sunday. The defender took a knock in the first half against Paris and was replaced in the 35th minute, but manager Gareth Taylor believes she will be fit to face the Seagulls.

Jill Roord could make the matchday squad after being out since January with an ACL injury, while Leila Ouahabi, who missed Thursday's match, will have her fitness assessed before a decision is made. Goalkeeper Sandy MacIver and defender Riza Shimizu are both ruled out with ACL injuries.

Brighton have no such injury worries following last weekend's win and may be tempted to stick with the same line-up. Former City star Pauline Bremer could lead the attack again, with another former Blue, Nikita Parris, on the bench.

Prediction

Brighton look like a decent outfit and their summer additions will definitely improve them and ensure a top half finish at least. However, City at home is a difficult prospect and Vivianne Miedema will be looking to make a good impression in front of the Faithful.

Prediction: City 3-0 Brighton