The Women's Super League is into its final seven matches of the campaign, meaning that both Aston Villa Women and Brighton & Hove Albion Women are just playing for the highest mid-table finish they can secure.
They meet at Banks's Stadium in the West Midlands on Saturday, with the hosts currently sitting one place and three points behind the Seagulls in ninth spot.
Match preview
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Aston Villa have experienced an inconsistent campaign, and that was demonstrated by their 1-0 defeat against Everton on Wednesday evening, having just beaten the Toffees prior to that.
Carla Ward's side went toe to toe with Everton in midweek, creating as many chances as their visitors, but they fell to a late strike from Aurora Galli, who sent Villa to their ninth loss of the season.
This weekend's hosts have actually recorded more points on their travels this year than they have done so on their own patch, only winning once at the Banks's Stadium, which came way back on the opening day, suggesting that perhaps Brighton are favourites for this clash.
Villa's goal difference is the second worst in the division, with bottom side and city rivals Birmingham holding the worst defensive stats, meaning that even with victory on Saturday, they would be sure to stay beneath the Seagulls due to the current 12-goal gap between the sides.
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Hope Powell's side finally ended their rotten run of results with victory against Reading before the international break, having endured a 10-game winless run.
The Seagulls seemed determined to secure three points against the Royals, and they found themselves 4-0 to the good by the 70-minute mark thanks to a brace from Kayleigh Green and further goals from Aileen Whelan and Emma Koivisto.
A late Reading consolation goal did not dampen the spirits of Brighton, who earned their 4-1 win at the People's Pension Stadium, and with Villa's poor defensive record this season, Powell will be looking for her side to show similar form in front of goal on Saturday.
Brighton were on course for their best ever top-flight season, going strong at the start of this campaign to beat last season's sixth-placed finish, but the Seagulls will have to go on a strong unbeaten run at the end of this campaign to better that position this year.
Villa edged the three points in the reverse fixture in September, beating Brighton 1-0 thanks to Emily Gielnik's 48th-minute strike, in a game where both teams created few chances.
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Team News
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Aston Villa midfielder Sophie Haywood returned to fitness at the end of January, but the 26-year-old is yet to make an appearance for the side this season, and the hosts do not tend to alter their starting 11 much.
Jill Scott, Ruesha Littlejohn and Remi Allen will continue as the midfield trio, with the latter offering a strong attacking threat having netted three times this campaign, the most out of any other Villa player.
After victory before the international break, Brighton are unlikely to change their side, and they are expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Green will lead the line for the Seagulls, with Danielle Carter a strong option for Powell from the bench as a supporting striker, while Koivisto, Inessa Kaagman and Ellie Brazil will also offer an attacking threat.
Full-back Emma Kullberg has fitted in well since arriving in the mid-season transfer window, and the Swedish international will continue on the left side of the back four.
Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:
Hampton; Pacheco, Asante, Patten, Mayling; Allen, Scott, Littlejohn; Petzelberger, Gielnik, Lehmann
Brighton & Hove Albion Women possible starting lineup:
Walsh; Kullberg, Williams, Kerkdijk, Le Tissier; Whelan, Connolly; Brazil, Kaagman, Koivisto; Green
We say: Aston Villa Women 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion Women
After a strong performance and result against Reading, Brighton are expected to find the form that they began this campaign with, especially against a side with a leaky defence.
Brighton have not kept many clean sheets themselves this season which is why Villa should be confident about getting on the scoresheet, but it is unlikely to be enough to stop Brighton sealing three points.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Brighton & Hove Albion Women win with a probability of 42.93%. A win for Aston Villa Women had a probability of 31.28% and a draw had a probability of 25.8%.
The most likely scoreline for a Brighton & Hove Albion Women win was 0-1 with a probability of 10.17%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.93%) and 0-2 (7.41%). The likeliest Aston Villa Women win was 1-0 (8.41%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.25%). The actual scoreline of 0-1 was predicted with a 10.2% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted a 0-1 win for Brighton & Hove Albion Women in this match and our team at Sports Mole correctly predicted the win for Brighton & Hove Albion Women.
