Manchester City Women host their first WSL game of the season as Brighton arrive at the Joie Stadium. Both teams are looking for their first three points of the season after City lost 2-1 at Chelsea last Friday, while Brighton were held to a goalless draw at home to Aston Villa.
It couldn’t have been a more difficult start for the Blues, with a trip to the home of the champions on the opening day not exactly the opening match that Andree Jeglertz would have dreamed of. However, the Blues put up a good
performance at Stamford Bridge, taking 17 shots at goal, but the only person to score for the Blues was Niamh Charles, who headed into her own goal.
Despite playing out a 0-0 draw, Brighton will be happy that they managed to keep a clean sheet in their opening game of the season as they shared the spoils with Villa. The Seagulls kept just four clean sheets throughout last season and rode their luck at times against Villa, with the visitors twice hitting the post.
The Blues will have to improve their finishing if they are to take the points, but City will be confident against the Seagulls on Friday evening.
Team News
City could be forced into two changes from the side that lost at Chelsea, with both Alex Greenwood and Lily Murphy doubtful for the visit of Brighton. Both were substituted in the second half of Friday’s defeat, with Murphy having to leave the field on a stretcher.
Naomi Layzell could be brought in to replace Greenwood while Iman Beney could replace Murphy. City also have three Laura’s available if the boss wants to pack the midfield, with Laura Wienrother , Laura Blindkilde Brown and Laura Coombs all available.
Brighton have no injury worries and are likely to field the same team that secured a point last weekend, with England hero Michelle Agyemang leading the attack.
Predicted line-ups
City: Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Prior, Layzell; Lohmann, Hasegawa; Miedema, Hemp, Beney, Shaw.
Brighton: Nnadozie, McLauchlan, Rule, Minami, Olislagers; Symonds, Čanković; Seike, Haley, Kirby, Agyemang.
Prediction
City have been quite dominant in this fixture over the years and I can’t see the outcome being any different this time around. That said, Brighton are capable of pulling off a surprise result, like they did two years ago ad the Blues will have to be on their guard to prevent a repeat.
However, I think City will get their season moving with a straightforward victory at the Joie Stadium.
City 4-0 Brighton
