The Women’s Super League is expecting another tight match-up this Saturday as Bristol City return to Ashton Gate to face Liverpool on Saturday 20 April.
The two teams have faced each other twice before this season, a 1-1 draw at Prenton Park last December, and a narrow 1-0 Reds victory in the FA Cup.
Bristol City were one of only two teams in WSL action last week, suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat to Arsenal at Meadow Park.
After a tight promotion race in the Women’s Championship last season, the Robins clinched the title by one point but have struggled to make their mark in the WSL.
In contrast, last season’s newcomers Liverpool have managed to put themselves right in the thick of competition with some surprising victories.
Their 1-0 triumph over Arsenal at the beginning of the season was followed by a dominant 2-0 against win Aston Villa.
And an away victory at Manchester United before Christmas has put them solidly fifth in the league going into game week 19.
Manager Matt Beard has confirmed that his team will still be without captain Niamh Fahey, defender Jasmine Matthews and forward Shanice Van de Sanden heading into Saturday’s game.
Good news for the Reds however, as the international window has given them further time to rehab key defender Taylor Hinds, who made her comeback during their 4-1 loss to Manchester City and scored the teams only goal that game.
International break also saw success for those in the Liverpool squad with midfielder Missy Bo Kearns captaining the under-23 Lionesses and netting for them, whilst Ceri Holland grabbed an assist for Wales.
Fellow Welsh international Ffion Morgan scored her first senior international goal over the break.
The 23-year-old has 17 appearances in the Women’s Super League this season for Bristol City, alongside one goal back in February at Leicester City.
Robins top goal scorer Amalie Thestrup only requires one goal to hit double figures in the WSL this season, in what has proven to be a key signing for manager Lauren Smith and her team.
Ex Liverpool midfielder Rachel Furness made her return to action for Bristol after five months out with a hamstring injury in their loss to Arsenal last weekend. She’ll be expected to receive minutes once again in the upcoming game.
The Reds have only failed to score in one of their last five meetings across all competitions with Bristol City, who in return found the net in two of those games.
Liverpool went on to win three of these, with two playing out into a draw.
Bristol City v Liverpool kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday 20 April 2024 and is available live on the FA Player.
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