Sue Smith
Former England forward on BBC's Women's Football Show

"The fact that Manchester City have been away from home for a while now will be difficult - they traveled to Lyon, then Bristol on Tuesday. That is tough.

"I think it will be a really tight game, But Manchester City will probably be too much for them going forward. Man City will probably just nick it."

Manchester City had lost three successive Women's FA Cup semi-finals before progressing to the big show this year.

They beat current WSL 1 Summer Series league leaders Liverpool in the semi-finals and will now be hoping that lady luck will be shining on them today! 

While juggling league and cup hopes, they have also prospered in Europe, falling short of a Champions League final appearance at their first attempt after going out to Lyon in the semi-finals recently.

Here are the matches they won en route to Wembley:

Semi-final: Man City 1–0 Liverpool

Quarter-final: Bristol City 1-2 Man City

Fifth round: Man City 1-0 Reading

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC's Women's Football Show

"Maybe things needed to change at Birmingham?

"They brought in Marc Skinner and Leanne Hall, two very laid back personalities who project an air of confidence. Maybe that is what they needed.

"The shackles may be coming off, they are allowed to go and play football and enjoy playing football."

After missing out on the title in 2014, Birmingham battled to avoid relegation 12 months later before turning things around in 2016.

There has since been a back-room shake-up, one which Brown-Finnis feels has been instrumental.

Image source, The FA via Getty Images

Despite only being appointed in December, manager Marc Skinner has guided Birmingham to their second FA Cup Final, with impressive wins against 2015 winners Chelsea in the semi-finals and last year’s winners Arsenal in the quarter-finals. 

It’s Skinner’s five-month anniversary tomorrow and I’m sure he’d love to be celebrating that milestone with the Women’s FA Cup in his hands.

Here's the matches they won en route:

Semi-final: Birmingham 1–1 Chelsea (Birmingham won 4-2 on pens)

Quarter-final: Birmingham 1-0 Arsenal

Fifth round: Birmingham 2-0 West Brom

Image source, BBC Sport

It's time to grab that TV remote as the build-up starts on BBC Two now. Alternatively, you can just click the play icon at the top of this page to tune in.

Tom Garry
BBC Sport

So far in the Women's FA Cup's brief time at Wembley, while the excitement of the occasions has been clear to see, we've yet to be treated to a really, really good game.

The winning side has kept a clean sheet in the final for each of the past four years, including the past two at Wembley, which both ended 1-0.

Could we see a flurry of goals today? Well, perhaps not, as both these sides have outstanding defensive records.

But with these two having been level after 90 minutes in each of their past three meetings, don't bet against extra-time, and maybe even penalties.

And when was the last time this final went beyond the usual 90 minutes? 2012, when Birmingham were last involved - perhaps that's an omens which might just point towards this one going the distance.

On the subject of big crowds, Manchester City's forward Carli Lloyd will be looking to collect her second major honour at Wembley, having won Olympic gold with the United States by beating Japan in front of a crowd of more than 80,000 in 2012. 

Her arrival on a short-term deal in February marked Manchester City's intent to bring unprecedented glory to the club.

In one of world football's most iconic cup competitions, Lloyd is determined to deliver.

"It's huge," she said. "I know the girls have been eyeing this trophy for a really long time.

"For me it is another final, it's another way to go out as a champion and I will do everything I can on Saturday to get it done.

"I have good memories at Wembley, so I just want to help the team any way possible and hopefully take home that trophy."  

Image source, The FA

The Women's FA Cup Final is set for a new competition-record crowd at Wembley, with 34,500 tickets sold eight days ago, which surpasses the 32,912 that saw Arsenal Ladies beat Chelsea 1-0 in the 2016 final. 

We'll find out later what that record breaking attendance will be!  

Owen Phillips
BBC Sport Online at Wembley

The sun's threatening to come out at Wembley. It's the way it should be.

Wembley FA Cup finals need blazing sunshine with plenty of chat about the huge pitch and a potentially energy-sapping period of extra time, where players get cramp and the inevitable fatigues means "mistakes start to happen" .

Cup finals are comforting like that. As long as it's your team that benefits from the mistakes 

Man City and Birmingham have both been familiarising themselves with the plush surroundings with some last-minutes warm-ups. The soon-to-be record crowd for a women's FA Cup final are slowly beginning to take their seats.  

Image source, Owen Phillips

Image source, Rex Features

It's fair to say Manchester City go into the final as favourites.

But it is not like it has made Birmingham City flinch for a moment.

As Jess Carter put it this week, they are... well, fearless.

"We don't fear anyone, especially not City," she said.

"We have played them a number of times, we know what they are capable of and what they can do.

"We know we are good enough to compete with the supposedly better teams in the league, it's now about showing everyone else." 

Staying with Houghton for a moment, the defender spoke to Sue Smith on Football Focus about her determination of winning the FA Cup.

"Ever since I've joined this club it's been about trying to win the FA Cup and we're one step closer to doing that," she said.

"It's all about going that next step and getting our hands on the trophy."

You can watch the full interview on this week's Football Focus here.

Image source, Getty Images

Now for a few subplots...

Manchester City and England captain Steph Houghton goes up against Birmingham striker, England team-mate and best friend Ellen White.

When asked about the threats Birmingham will pose, England captain Houghton highlighted her England team-mate White.

"My best mate Ellen," Houghton told BBC Two. "As a defender, she is one that you can't keep quiet. She is always trying to press the ball and she scores goals as well.

So, Manchester City have a modern-day women's football icon in Carli Lloyd to call on.

Out to stop her will be Birmingham City's rising defensive rock Jess Carter - the PFA Young Player of the Year. 

In the build up to the final this week, Carter didn't mix her words when she said Blues feared no-one.

The 19-year-old, who has yet to be capped at senior international level, was ever-present for Blues last season, starting every league game.

Also, it is worth noting that Blues captain Kerys Harrop and fellow defender Emily Westwood are the only two surviving members of Birmingham's cup-winning side of 2012.

Oh, and England midfielder Isobel Christiansen, an unused substitute for Birmingham in that final, is today starting for Manchester.

Image source, The FA

Any reference to star players today starts with Manchester City's World Cup winner and two-time World Player of the Year Carli Lloyd.

The forward, however, is in esteemed company with EIGHT of England's Euro 2017-bound squad in today's team. Top of the list of Lionesses is two-time Professional Footballers' Association Women's Player of the Year Lucy Bronze and captain Steph Houghton.

Four days after scoring a hat-trick against Bristol City in the league, England forward Toni Duggan finds herself on the bench.

Talk about impact player!

Right, now to the business of the day.

The team sheets are in, and unsurprisingly two-time World Footballer of the Year Carli Lloyd is the headline name for a star-studded Manchester City side that includes a host Euro 2017-bound England internationals.

Birmingham City's attacking line will be led by Ellen White, who fired Blues into the final with the winning penalty in their semi-final shoot-out against Chelsea.

Birmingham City: Ann-Katrin Berger, Sarah Mayling, Aoife Mannion, Kerys Harrop (c), Meaghan Sargeant, Paige Williams, Andrine Hegerberger, Jess Carter, Freda Ayisi, Ellie Brazil, Ellen White.

Substitutes: SophieBaggaley, Charlie Wellings, Emily Westwood, Chloe Peplow, Abbey-Leigh Stringer.

Manchester City: KarenBardsley, Demi Stokes, Steph Houghton (c), Megan Campbell, Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, Isobel Christiansen, Jill Scott ,Nikita Parris, Melissa Lawley, Carli Lloyd.

Substitutes: Marie Hourihan, Abbie McManus, Jennifer Beattie, Georgia Stanway, Toni Duggan.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City are actually aiming to become the first team to hold all three major domestic club honours at the same time since Arsenal in 2011.

And if you didn't already get the sense that they are the leading force... they are hoping to win four trophies in the space of nine months. They are currently second in the WSL 1 Spring Series table with a game in hand over leaders Liverpool.

The only team to hold them domestically this season... Birmingham, who drew with them 1-1 just 10 days ago. 

As one of British football's richest and best-supported clubs, Manchester City - based at the multi-million pound Academy Stadium adjacent to the Premier League club's Etihad Stadium home - have since gone on to win two Continental Cups and reached the last four of Europe's top club competition this year, having won their first English title last year.

Image source, Getty Images

It is the second major final between the two sides in seven months, with Manchester City winning the Continental Cup 1-0 after extra time in October.

While It has been five years since Blues' last major hour, they did reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2014 and only missed out on the WSL 1 crown on the final day of the season in the same year.

Image source, Getty Images

When Birmingham, a side who plays its home games at a non-league ground, won the FA Cup 2012, Manchester City had not yet played in the top flight, having only been inducted into WSL 1 in 2014 after a restructure of the women's game.

Oh, how times have changed...

The stage, Wembley. 

Image source, The FA

The prize, Women's FA Cup glory.

Image source, The FA

Welcome to the 2017 final. 

A decider which puts the sport in England into sharp perspective as Manchester City, a rising superpower in the game who are in pursuit of their third major trophy in eight months, are up against a rejuvenated Birmingham City side looking to claim their first piece of silverware since lifting the cup in 2012.

Today, the rich and powerful new guard of English women's football... 

Image source, Getty Images

... Come up against proud and fiercely determined overachievers. 

Image source, The FA