Albion return to WSL action on Sunday when they take on Bristol City at the Broadfield Stadium in their first fixture of 2024, kick off 2pm.
It's a crucial game for both teams. Albion could climb as high as seventh if they claim their first home win of the WSL campaign while City are hoping to move off the bottom with victory.
Team news
Head Coach Melissa Phillips reported that Dejan Stefanovic has had the all-clear to resume full training after recovering from a back injury that has restricted her to just five appearances in the last 12 months. Jorelyn Carabali is also back in training while Madison Haley is continuing her recovery from injury but won't be involved on Sunday.
Head coach’s view
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Player to watch
A familiar face in the Robins' midfield will be former Albion player Megan Connolly, who spent five seasons in Brighton prior to leaving the club last summer. The Republic of Ireland international made 80 appearances including 68 starts for the club and scored seven goals, including one in the memorable 2-1 win against Chelsea in the 2020/21 season.
Stats and facts
- Albion have only won one of their five previous WSL meetings with Bristol City (D2 L2), although this victory did come in their most recent meeting – a 3-1 win in May 2021.
- This will be the third visit Bristol City have made to Brighton in the WSL, winning one (1- 0 in September 2018) and losing the other (3-1 in May 2021).
- Albion conceded 56 goals in the WSL in 2023 - at least six more than any other team - at an average of 2.3 goals conceded per game.
- Bristol City manager Lauren Smith has won just one of her 10 Women’s Super League matches in charge of the Robins (D2 L7), giving her a 10%-win rate – the lowest of any Bristol City manager in the competition.
- Elisabeth Terland scored 48% of Brighton and Hove Albion’s goals in 2023, scoring 12 of the Seagulls' 25 WSL goals. The 22-year-old scored at least 10 more goals than any other Brighton player across the calendar year in the WSL, with the next best scorers netting just twice each (five different players).
- If Terland scores on Sunday she will join Aileen Whelan on 15 WSL goals and make her our joint-leading goalscorer in the WSL. Whelan made 80 league appearances for the club while, if selected against City, Terland will be playing only her 28th game.
- As well as Terland, only three other Albion players - Katie Robinson, Guro Bergsvand and Pauline Bremer - have scored in the WSL this season.
Match officials
Referee - Lisa Benn
Assistant Referees: David Middleton & Anastasiya Voloshchuk
Fourth Official - Melissa Burgin
Get your tickets
Tickets are still on sale for Sunday's game and can also be purchased on the day. More information can be found here