Opposition watch | Spurs vs Bristol City (WSL)

Form

Promoted into the WSL as Championship champions last season, everything looked rosy on City's return to the top flight in their opener against Leicester City last weekend. Creating chances and ahead through Carrie Jones, they were rocked by a thunderbolt from the Foxes' Aimee Palmer in first half injury time. They were soon 3-1 down in the second half and 4-1 behind when Amelie Thestrup netted a consolation from the penalty spot.

Players to watch

Megan Connolly joined the Robins after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of last season and was handed the captain’s armband ahead of this term. A Republic of Ireland international midfielder, she played every minute of her country’s World Cup campaign and previously played for Florida State Seminoles. Former Spur Rachel Furness is a vastly experienced midfielder who spent the three months on loan with us from Reading in 2019, making 11 appearances. Had spells with Sunderland, Newcastle, Grindavik (Iceland) and Liverpool before joining Bristol City in January 2023, helping them win the Championship last term. Danish forward Amelie Thestrup scored on her debut last weekend, as did Wales international Carrie Jones, formerly with Manchester United.

Manager - Lauren Smith

Lauren Smith has a long association with the Robins having first joined them in 2010 as an Under-14s coach, before being appointed the club’s Under 9-19s technical director and first team assistant coach. Left in 2017 to become assistant manager of the Wales women’s national team, while she spent six months with us between January to June 2021 as an assistant coach. Took over the Head Coach role at Bristol City that summer and led them back to the WSL last season, being named Championship Manager of the Season in the process.

Last time we met

Both games against Bristol City ended all square last time we were both in the WSL, with the most recent game a 1-1 draw at The Hive in March, 2021. We took the lead through Siri Worm’s outstanding free-kick in the third minute and were the dominant team for the first half, but the visitors improved after the break and levelled on 52 minutes through a Gemma Evans header. Late chances for Rachel Williams and Alanna Kennedy came and went as we had to settle for the draw.

How to follow

Sunday's match will be screened live via the FA Player. You can follow the game on our women's social channels - Instagram and X - and minute-by-minute text coverage via our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com. Match highlights and reaction will also be available via SPURSPLAY and this website.