We're fighting for our lives - Bristol City's Smith

Bristol City manager Lauren Smith says her side will “do whatever they can” as they look to avoid Women’s Super League relegation.

The Vixens are seven points adrift at the bottom of the table with just three games left.

Completing an unlikely turnaround looks even more difficult given they face league leaders Manchester City on Sunday (18:45 BST).

“They're fighting for their lives because they want to win the league, we're fighting for ours because we want to stay in the league. The match-up is very different,” said Smith.

The Manchester club moved top of the WSL last weekend by beating second-bottom West Ham, taking a two-goal lead after just three minutes.

Smith added: “We will do whatever we can to stay in the game and give ourselves a shout but obviously Man City have been playing very well and I think last week's warning signs against West Ham were very clear.

“We don't want to be in that situation after three minutes.”

Bristol City’s fate could already be sealed by the time they play on Sunday as they will be relegated if West Ham beat Aston Villa in one of the 14:00 BST kick-offs.

If the Irons draw then Bristol City must beat City to stay up, while the Vixens could also avoid relegation for another weekend - albeit with a vastly inferior goal difference - if West Ham lose and they draw.

“I unfortunately heard a podcast that told me that all we were playing for was pride,” Smith added.

“If that drives us - if it is playing for pride - then we'll use it as our fire.”