Bristol City will hope to breathe life into their Barclays FA Women’s Super League survival bid when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Twerton Park this afternoon.
Last week saw Bristol City’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture against Chelsea called off due to heavy snowfall ending Matt Beard’s plans of a ‘mini pre-season’. The Robins’ stand-in manager was hoping to use the Chelsea game as a way of improving fitness levels before pivotal games against this week’s opponents Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. Despite last weekend’s postponement, Beard was pleased to have an extra training session for what he’s described as a ‘must-win fixture’.
Speaking via Bristol City’s official media channels this week, Beard has described the upbeat atmosphere going into the Brighton & Hove Albion game. As much as the club recognise their latest opponents’ attacking threat, stature and defensive organisation, Beard believes that his side have had their best training sessions leading up to this game.
Beard has bolstered his squad this week by acquiring the services of Reading defender Kiera Skeels and Everton midfielder Mollie Pike on loan and the pair could make their debuts against The Seagulls. Beard has reported no new injury concerns ahead of the match.
Brighton & Hove Albion fell to a heavy 7-1 defeat to Manchester City last weekend meaning that they are now winless in their last five league games. Ahead of their latest fixture at Bristol City, Albion boss Hope Powell recognised the enormity of the match demanding a response from her players following the Manchester City performance. Powell has been pleased to see a few of Albion’s absentees return to training following both injuries and self-isolation, however, she is still unable to call upon full-back Fliss Gibbons.
Bristol City’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion is scheduled to kick-off at 2pm this afternoon and will be broadcast live on the FA Player.
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