Bristol City v Manchester City: Women’s Super League – live

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Here’s how the table looks ahead of today’s match…

Bristol City will be relegated to the Championship if they fail to beat Manchester City this evening.

Discussing her team’s relegation battle ahead of today’s match, Bristol manager Lauren Smith said: “They’re fighting for their lives because they want to win the league, we’re fighting for ours because we want to stay in the league. The match-up is very different. We will do whatever we can to stay in the game and give ourselves a shout but obviously Man City have been playing very well and I think last week’s warning signs against West Ham were very clear. We don’t want to be in that situation after three minutes.”

Manchester City could go six points clear at the top of the WSL table today. Gareth Taylor’s side can pile the pressure on Chelsea with a win at Ashton Gate. Chelsea have missed the last two WSL gameweeks while competing in the Champions League, they next play on Wednesday against Liverpool.

Manchester City will be without leading goalscorer Khadija Shaw today. The striker, who currently leads the WSL Golden Boot race, suffered a foot injury during City’s 5-0 win over West Ham last weekend. Discussing Shaw’s injury during his pre-match press conference, Gareth Taylor said: “We have an issue with Bunny, she’s sustained a foot injury which will keep her out of the game for certain and potentially longer. It’s such a difficult one for Bunny because she’s had an incredible season. We had a feeling it might be an issue when she came off the pitch [against West Ham] even though it was non contact. She’ll be well looked after by the medical team.”

Lauren Hemp will likely step into the No9 position, with Chloe Kelly moving onto the wing.

Team news

Bristol City starting XI: Shae Yanez; Jazz Bull, Brooke Aspin, Megan Connolly, Naomi Layzell, Ffion Morgan; Emily Syme, Amy Rodgers, Rachel Furness, Jamie-Lee Napier; Amalie Thestrup. Substitutes: Fran Bentley, Shania Hayles, Ella Powell, Sille Struck, Abi Harrison, Mari Ward, Sarah Stratigakis, Lisa Evans, Carrie Jones.

Manchester City XI: Khiara Keating; Leila Ouahabi, Laia Aleixandri, Alex Greenwood, Alanna Kennedy; Laura Coombs, Yui Hasegawa, Jess Park; Mary Fowler, Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp. Substitutes: Katie Startup, Steph Houghton, Filippa Angeldahl, Esme Morgan, Poppy Pritchard, Kerstin Casparij, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Ruby Mace.

Preamble

Good afternoon and welcome to coverage of today’s WSL match between Bristol City and Manchester City. This could be a defining fixture at both the top and bottom of the table with the hosts looking to avoid relegation and the visitors pushing for the title.

If Bristol lose today, they will be relegated to the Championship with two games remaining. Meanwhile, if Manchester City win they will extend their lead at the top of the WSL table, piling the pressure on Chelsea who have two games in hand.

However, it will not be easy for Gareth Taylor’s side - especially without top goalscorer Khadija Shaw, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot injury.

Kick off is at 6:45pm GMT – don’t miss it!