WHAT IS THE TEAM NEWS?United’s long-term absentees Gabby George, Emma Watson and Jess Simpson remain unavailable for selection, while Hinata Miyazawa is also still out of action. After missing our Conti Cup clash with Manchester City last Wednesday, Jayde Riviere made a return to the starting line-up in our win over Villa at the weekend, and Skinner is expected to provide up-to-date team news in Friday’s press conference.
The Seagulls are without Charlie Rule and Jorelyn Carabali, who remain unavailable through injury. There will, however, be a few familiar faces in the opposing side, with ex-Reds Maria Thorisdottir and Sophie Baggaley securing summer moves to the south coast last summer.
THE OPPOSITION
After many notable acquisitions in the summer transfer window, Brighton, with Melissa Phillips at the helm, eyed an improvement on their 2022/23 campaign that saw them just about avoid relegation. Big newcomers like Tatiana Pinto and Pauline Bremer set the precedent for a hopeful season, but the Seagulls have struggled to get into a winning rhythm so far this term. With three wins and two draws in 11 games, it means they’ve been on the losing end seven times so far.
They do, however, look set to make an improvement on last season’s points tally, needing 17 to better it and already sitting on 11. They are six points ahead of last-placed Bristol City, and three in front of 11th-placed West Ham. As the campaign reaches the business end, every point counts, and the Seagulls will no doubt be eyeing one – or three – when they come to LSV.
