Tanya Oxtoby
Former Bristol City manager on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

It is no surprise that when City have had good opportunities they have come in these wide areas. I think that is something they need to look at a bit more and exploiting them in wide areas.

But it's when they get numbers in the box that Bristol City will get overwhelmed.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City are using the flanks really well. They have primarily attacked down the right with Mary Fowler but this time it's on the left.

Chloe Kelly should do better as she mis-controls and it goes behind for a goal kick.

Tanya Oxtoby
Former Bristol City manager on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

It will give them hope in terms of being about to hurt Manchester City on the counter.

The one-v-one attacking prowess is coming to the fore.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City register their first shot on target.

Again it's Mary Fowler down the right with to get the move going. Fowler finds Laura Coombs but her shot is blocked and Chloe Kelly follows up with a driven shot down the middle.

There are a fair few seagulls swooping from the stands above the field at Ashton Gate.

If anyone has purchased some chips they might have to be on high alert!

Some lovely footwork from Jamie-Lee Napier as Bristol City enjoy a rare break.

Napier dribbles in between two players but then loses possession on the edge of the box. It eventually falls to Amy Rodgers who sees a long range shot charged down.

Better from the hosts.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Ashton Gate

It's a beautiful, if slightly cool, evening in Bristol. The sky is the same shade of blue as the Manchester City shirts.

Another decent crowd at Ashton Gate too, with the two stands down the sides of the pitch both almost full. The Bristol City supporters turning out in hope of a long-awaited first home league win of the season.

Great work from Mary Fowler to get in behind Naomi Layzell before delivering a low ball across the face of goal. It's pinball in the six yard box before Bristol City scramble it away.

Image source, PA Media

Tanya Oxtoby
Former Bristol City manager on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Manchester City need to use the width here a bit more. Bristol City are sitting quite far back and are compact so they need to move it wide to create.

Lauren Hemp has the first shot at goal.

A long ball finds Laura Coombs, who lays it back and Hemp swipes the ball well wide.

It's a slow tempo in the opening stages as Manchester City prod and poke their opponent, trying to find where the vulnerability is.

So far, no joy.

The pattern of play is already set, Manchester City are slotting the ball around with purpose as Bristol City sit back.

This passage of play breaks down and Bristol City clear their lines.

Image source, PA Media

Tanya Oxtoby
Former Bristol City manager on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

It is important that Bristol City start well and build themselves into the game. You don't want to be chasing against Manchester City. You are looking to build yourself in, build some confidence and that would be the best start they can do at the moment.

Don't you just love it when both teams play in their traditional home kits?

Bristol City in their red kit with white stripes, while Manchester City are in sky blue.

An early attack for Bristol City runs out of pace at the by-line and Manchester City have a goal kick.

Off we go at Ashton Gate.

It's Bristol City who get this game under way.

Manchester City

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor tells Sky Sports how his front three will look without Khadija Shaw: "I don’t want to give too much away but those three players are capable of playing all of the positions we have in the front line.

"Bunny is slightly different, she is a number nine, but with those players you will see someone playing predominantly there but they will have a lot of fluidity between them at times.

"The three girls are really bright and intelligent so we are looking forward to the challenge in front of us."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp signed a new three-year contract on Friday, keeping her at the club until 2027.

Hemp, 23, joined City in 2018 from Bristol City and will be looking to add to her 65 goals when she makes her 158th appearance this evening.

The England international won the Women's FA Cup in 2019 and League Cup in 2022 with City.

Gareth Taylor's side are three points clear at the top of the Women's Super League and looking to win their first title since 2016.

"I feel at home here in Manchester," Hemp said. "With the squad we have here, we are always learning and it’s so special to be involved at a club where we’re capable of achieving anything.

"I’m so passionate about this club and there’s no place I’d rather be. I’m very excited to keep this journey going for the next few years."

Here come the players as we close in on kick-off at Ashton Gate.

It looks like a lovely evening in Bristol with a slither of sun across the field.

Tanya Oxtoby
Former Bristol City manager on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

For me, it is experience in those moments and until you have been in those moments it is really hard.

This group of players, if they can keep them together, will be all the better for that experience. That is priceless and you can only gain it by doing it.

If they can keep the squad together and continue to grow, they will hopefully be able to use it if they get another opportunity in the WSL.

Bristol City

Bristol City boss Lauren Smith speaking to Sky Sports: "We have to stay in the game for as long as we possibly can.

"We know they are going to come from counter-attacks and we have to exploit the spaces they leave us.

"We want to get a foothold in the game before we go all-out attack."