Bristol City Women v Manchester City Women: Preview, Team News and Prediction
04/28/2024 07:00 AM
Blues Face Robins As They Close In On Title
Manchester City Women can take a huge step towards claiming only their second WSL title as they travel to Ashton Gate to face relegation-threatened Bristol City.
The Blues will move six points clear of Chelsea at the top of the table with victory against the Robins, although Chelsea have two games in hand, the first of which being played in midweek at Liverpool. City's 5-0 win over West Ham last weekend opened up a three-goal difference too, which increases City's chances of wrenching the WSL title from Chelsea's grasp.
They face a Bristol City side who look destined to make an immediate return to the Championship. The Robins are seven points behind West Ham at the foot of the table and defeat against the Blues will seal their fate. And it doesn't get any easier for the bottom club - they face an away game at Chelsea next weekend.
Form
It's fair to say that Bristol City's home form isn't exactly great. They have lost every match at Ashton Gate this season, with their only win coming in a 3-2 victory at West Ham in November. They have lost nine of their last ten matches, with a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa preventing a run of ten straight defeats. They have scored just seven goals at home this season, and conceded 24, and their run of bad form also includes a crushing 7-3 defeat at the hand of Brighton and Hove Albion at the beginning of March. Since then, the Robins have failed to score in all four subsequent matches.
By comparison, City have won their last 13 WSL matches, a run stretching back to mid-November when they suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Brighton. Since then, City have won six on the road including victories at Manchester United (3-1) and Chelsea (1-0). The Blues have scored 22 goals away from home and conceded just six. They will no doubt fancy their chances of more goals against the struggling Robins.
Team News
Bristol may be missing the services of three players against the Blues, with Satara Murray, Chloe Mustaki and Shania Hayles all out with injury. Fran Bentley, who missed the 1-0 home defeat to Liverpool last weekend, could be set to return after recovering from illness.
City announced in midweek that top scorer Bunny Shaw will be out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury, which will be a relief to the home side. However, Chloe Kelly may come into the side alongside Mary Fowler and Lauren Hemp in a formidable front three. Ellie Roebuck is still recovering from the stroke she suffered earlier in the year. Jill Roord is still out, as is second goalkeeper Sandy MacIver.
Prediction
Football is a funny game and, while on paper this looks like it should be a straightforward task, anything is possible on the day. However, I don't think Bristol City will spring any surprises and I think City will go through the gears, get the three points and put the pressure firmly on Chelsea's shoulders.
Prediction: Bristol City 0-4 Manchester City
