Chelsea vs Brighton - WSL preview: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
Chelsea find themselves needing to quickly put Sunday's disappointing Conti Cup final defeat behind them as the games now come thick and fast in an extraordinarily busy March.
This week's WSL clash with Brighton, postponed a few days because of Sunday's final, is the second of seven games across four different competitions the Blues will play this month.
Having taken points off Chelsea in each of the last three WSL seasons - including a win at Kingsmeadow in February 2021, Brighton could be considered a bogey side.
But the Seagulls have had plenty of upheaval this week, bidding farewell to manager Jens Scheuer after little more than two months in the job. Amy Merricks, who was in charge throughout November and December after Hope Powell left the club, is the interim boss again.
Where to watch Chelsea vs Brighton on TV/live stream
When is kick off? Wednesday 8 March, 19:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Kingsmeadow
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event/Football (UK), Paramount+ (US), FA Player (International)
What time does TV coverage in the UK start? 19:00 (GMT)
Referee? Abigail Byrne
Chelsea team news
Chelsea remain without Pernille Harder, while Fran Kirby is also a doubt after having a PRP injection last week. Emma Hayes said at the time it can take around a week to subsequently settle down.
The Blues announced an agreement to sign Belgian goalkeeper Nicky Evrard this week but she won't actually join the club until the summer.
Brighton team news
Goalkeeper Megan Walsh has put in some inspired performances against Chelsea in the past and could replace Australian vetern Lydia Williams.
The return of Merricks to the helm could see a 4-4-2 system brought back, with Scheuer havig switched to 4-2-3-1 in his last league game in charge last month.
Chelsea vs Brighton score prediction
Whether a rotated side or not, Hayes will expect a response from Chelsea after speaking about complacency in the Conti Cup final performance against Arsenal.
There will be no favours from Brighton given their record in this fixture - Merricks took four points from three WSL games in her previous stint in charge - and there is a huge amount at stake given that this is one of two games in hand on Manchester United, who extended their lead at the top of the table to four points on Sunday, before they then face each other this coming weekend.
Victory here would put Chelsea back within a point of United before the Red Devils arrive at Kingsmeadow on Sunday, still with an additional game in hand to play after, meaning the title race initiative would be very much with the reigning champions. But failure to get the job done against Brighton and only a big win on Sunday would given them a chance of going back top then.