Arsenal vs Brighton: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction - Women's FA Cup

Arsenal are in blistering form this season
Arsenal are in blistering form this season / Catherine Ivill/GettyImages
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Arsenal and Brighton face off this weekend for a place in the 2020/21 Women's FA Cup final, with the competition have been delayed from last season as a knock-on effect of the pandemic.

Arsenal have made a flying start to the season and lead the WSL with a perfect record. But Brighton have also done well as they look to consolidate their place as a top half club.

This is everything you need to know about the game...


How to watch Arsenal vs Brighton on TV/live stream


What time is kick off? Sunday 31 October, 16:45 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Meadow Park
TV channel? BBC Two/BBC iPlayer (UK), ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? BBC Sport website (UK)
Referee? Abigail Byrne


Arsenal team news

Vivianne Miedema
Arsenal are resting Vivianne Miedema / Warren Little/GettyImages

Gunners coach Jonas Eidevall has confirmed his intention to rest star striker Vivianne Miedema on account of her lack of a summer break or pre-season due to competing at the Olympics.

Others could get similar treatment following the October international break, although Kim Little, who is retired from international football, and Japan's Mana Iwabuchi, whose national team weren't in action, should be fresh.

Tobin Heath didn't play in the earlier rounds for former club Manchester United and so is available.


Brighton team news

Hope Powell
Brighton boss Hope Powell has experimented with formations in recent weeks / James Chance/GettyImages

Brighton packed the defence when they faced Chelsea in the WSL recently. But they ended up changing personnel at half-time on that occasion and got back to winning ways with a more familiar system against Tottenham last time out.

On-loan back-up goalkeeper Fran Stenson is ineligible against her parent club.


Arsenal vs Brighton predicted lineups

Arsenal: Zinsberger; Maritz, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Catley; Walti, Nobbs, Iwabuchi; Parris, Foord, Heath

Brighton: Walsh; Koivisto, Le Tissier, Williams, Gibbons; Simpkins, Kaagman, Whelan; Carter, Lee, Brazil


Arsenal vs Brighton head to head

Arsenal have never lost against Brighton in 90 minutes
Arsenal have never lost against Brighton in 90 minutes / Kate McShane/GettyImages

Brighton have only ever scored one goal against Arsenal during three previous seasons as a WSL club, and that came way back in November 2018 when they were first promoted.

The Seagulls have significantly improved over the last few years, although Arsenal did win home and away in the WSL last season by a combined score-line of 7-0.

Brighton do have a little bit of hope, however. They held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw in a Continental Cup match in November 2019 and subsequently prevailed in a penalty shootout.


Arsenal vs Brighton score prediction

Arsenal are in such good form that even an element of squad rotation is unlikely to disrupt their positive momentum in this one.

Brighton do have quality of their own and are more than capable of springing upsets, as evidenced by a shock WSL victory over Chelsea last season, but the logic here still points to an Arsenal win.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Brighton


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