WSL 2022/23 Preview 3: Brighton and Hove Albion

WSL 2021/22 final position: 7th

After a campaign that started promisingly and tailed off, Brighton have lost last season’s joint top scorers Inessa Kaagman (to PSV Eindhoven) and Aileen Whelan (to Leicester City).

How we fared last season

There were only two goals in total in the two games between Leicester and Brighton last season, and overall the honours were shared.

14 November 2021: Brighton 1 Leicester City 0

The trip to the south coast last November brought a seventh consecutive defeat at the start of the season, to a 93rd-minute Maisie Symonds free kick that looped high over Leicester keeper Kirstie Levell. This win took Brighton into the top three at the time, just four points off early pace-setters Arsenal.

Brighton manager Hope Powell praised Leicester’s defensive organisation, which was only undone by a piece of magic.

16 January 2022: Leicester City 1 Brighton 0

The turnaround in the two clubs’ fortunes was remarkable in the couple of months between their two WSL encounters. When Brighton trudged off the pitch at Filbert Way, it signalled the end of their sixth game in all competitions since their last-gasp winner in the reverse fixture, but that remained their most recent goal. Six games, six defeats, no goals and Brighton were slipping down the table.

Thankfully, that table no longer showed Leicester last. Shannon O’Brien scored the only goal to cap an impressive team display which enthused manager Lydia Bedford. Leicester were fighting for their WSL life.

When we face them this season

Home: 14/15 January 2023
Away: 27/28 May 2023

What the papers say

‘Finishing seventh, one place down on the previous campaign, and narrowly missing out on their record points tally will have been a disappointment for Hope Powell and her side.’

Sophie Downey, The Guardian - read Sophie’s full Brighton season preview

A new signing speaks

'Brighton is a club with great ambitions, I am really excited to be a part of the club. From the first time I spoke with Hope [Powell, Brighton manager], I got a good understanding of where the club wants to go.

'Having played against Brighton, you know they’re a very organised team. It’s an honour to be here.'

Veatriki Sarri (Greek international midfielder, signed from Birmingham City)