Match Preview: Leicester City (H).

Bristol City host their first Women’s Super League fixture since 2021 as The Robins welcome Leicester City to Ashton Gate on Sunday (2pm).

Lauren Smith’s side will be looking to pick up where they left off last season, after winning promotion back to the WSL and finishing the campaign as Champions, after just two seasons in the Barclays Championship.

There are eight new faces poised to make their City debuts this weekend, including Megan Connolly, who was announced as the new club captain last week, plus Satara Murray, making her return to the club after a season away with Racing Louisville.

This will be Smith’s first WSL game as a permanent Head Coach, having previously managed City on an interim basis in the division after the departure of Dave Edmondson in 2015.

Smith will be looking for a similar performance and result as the one which saw her side beat Leicester 3-2 in a pre-season friendly at the Robins High Performance Centre three weeks ago.

It was announced shortly after promotion that Ashton Gate would be City Women’s permanent home this campaign and The Robins will be determined to get off to a positive start in front of an expected crowd of around 4000.

OUR OPPONENTS: Leicester City

Formed: 2004
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Nickname: The Foxes
Manager: Willie Kirk
Finish Last Season: 10th

Leicester City will be heading to Ashton Gate looking to spoil the party as City return to the WSL and get their own season off to a flyer.

After a difficult campaign last season, The Foxes stayed up by five points, with the appointment of former City manager Willie Kirk midway through the season proving vital in their eventual survival.

Kirk, who managed The Robins between 2015 and 2018, isn’t the only face returning to the West Country, as last season’s promotion winning captain Aimee Palmer will also face-up against her former teammates in BS3, after joining Leicester in August.

The Foxes have had a busy transfer window themselves, with nine new faces heading to the King Power Stadium, as they look to have a more comfortable season in the WSL.

MATCH DETAILS

When: Sunday, October 1st (2pm) 
Where: Ashton Gate
Competition: Barclays Women's Super League

Referee: Jane Simms
Assistant referee: David Middleton
Assistant referee: Ruby Sykes
Fourth Official: Amy Fearn

MATCH PACK

Check out all the stats and facts ahead of the game.

MATCH PROGRAMME