Erin Cuthbert brings down Khadija Shaw just outside the Chelsea box to give Man City a free-kick in a very dangerous position.

Lauren Hemp goes one on one with Ellie Carpenter on the left flank and stands up a cross, but it's too deep and goes out of play.

Kerstin Casparij had got forward on the right and wanted the cross much earlier.

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Former England goalkeeper on BBC One

What a battle Millie Bright against Bunny Shaw has been. Two really dominant figures in the game.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Etihad Stadium

The smoke from the pre-match pyros is still lingering around the stands but it's been a decent opening few minutes for Chelsea.

As many of us expected, they are already trying to get the ball in behind Rebecca Knaak and Alex Greenwood for Alyssa Thompson to chase.

Khadija Shaw outmuscles Millie Bright and then looks to play Kerolin in behind the Chelsea defence, but the Brazilian tugs at the shirt of Naomi Girma and is penalised.

She'll be looking to play on the shoulder all day.

City look very confident on the ball.

After playing their way up the pitch, Kerolin backheels the ball to Khadija Shaw who then looks to flick it on to Vivianne Miedema, but Chelsea get a foot in.

That would have been some team move had it ended with a goal.

Lauren Hemp gets on the ball and there's a roar of encouragement from the home fans.

Her cross is cut out by Naomi Girma, before the second delivery is deep and comes to nothing.

Hemp's only goal this season came at the Etihad Stadium, in City's derby day victory against Manchester United.

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Former England goalkeeper on BBC One

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are about winning. They're juggling many tournaments - not something Andree Jeglertz has to worry about.

Man City are firmly in the driving seat [in the title race]. Man City know that getting something from this game, the title is pretty much in their hands.

Alex Greenwood tries a big diagonal switch of play early on, but the Chelsea defence deals with it.

It looks like Sonia Bompastor has gone with a back four today rather than the usual three.

Man City get this one underway.

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor speaking to BBC Sport: "There is not a lot we can control [in the title race]. We know all the context around the game today. The main thing is to focus on ourselves and that is what I told the players today. We know we need points and we need a good performance to achieve that.

"Manchester City are playing a home game with the support of their fans. We know they are strong team. But hopefully, we will be able to put on a strong performance and come back with some points."

Image source, Getty Images

The teams walk out at a loud Etihad Stadium, with 90s dance anthem Blue by Eiffel 65 blasting out through the sound system.

It's almost time for kick-off!

Steph Houghton
Former Manchester City defender on BBC One

There are a lot of things happening behind the scenes in terms of recruitment and getting the tactics right. We have always been technically good at Manchester City but it is what it takes to get to that next level.

What Chelsea have done really well in the past seasons is that they know what it takes to win. But this City side have got a lot of international players who have played big games and won big trophies.

Hopefully it can all come together this year.

Manchester City

Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedema speaking to BBC Sport: "Obviously we have had a good season so far, we are chuffed with where we are. Today will be difficult, we know how good Chelsea are. It's not over [the title race].

"We know what we need to do, we need to get a result today. We just focus on every single game, the next game is the most important one.

"We know each other [Chelsea] really well, played each other loads last year. We know their quality, but we have quality too."

BBC One

Live coverage of today's match is underway over on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and here on the BBC Sport website.

Click the 'Watch Live' tab above.

Image source, Getty Images

After her side lost 2-0 to Arsenal last weekend, Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor conceded that the WSL title race was "probably over."

However, this week she backtracked on those comments.

Asked if this was mind games, she said: "No, our mentality is to fight until the end, no matter what happens. We will never give up.

"There are nine games left in the WSL. The only thing is that we are not in control of it. Manchester City are leading the table and are in control.

"We just need to make sure we focus on how we want to perform and to give ourselves a better chance to win. Every game is a must-win game for Chelsea. We will never give up."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Etihad Stadium

Fans came through the doors early at the Etihad with Manchester City hosting a photographers area pitchside for an exclusive group.

City have been working with the supporters club since last season to create safe spaces for fans to interact with players.

It's a big group that have been selected today and they are currently stood watching the City players warm-up close by.

Chelsea's players and staff were the first to step off the bus and onto the pitch about 90 minutes before kick-off.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea came out on top in both of their meetings with Manchester City this season.

Sonia Bompastor's side triumphed 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the WSL season, before winning 1-0 in Manchester 11 days ago in the semi-final of the League Cup.

City played well in their most recent meeting, creating plenty of chances and hitting the woodwork twice, but it was a Wieke Kaptein header late in the first half that won the tie for Chelsea.

Chelsea have won seven of their last eight games against City in all competitions, so will be confident of making it three from three this term.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw has scored 13 goals this season, already more than the two WSL top-scorers netted in the whole of last season (Shaw and Alessia Russo both scored 12).

Shaw's late strike against London City Lionesses was her fourth match-winning goal in City's last six matches, and she now has 22 winning goals to her name in the WSL.

Only team-mate Vivianne Miedema has more (28).

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City manager Andree Jeglertz admitted this week he could hardly believe the position they are in.

With a nine-point lead at the top of the WSL table, even if they lose today, they remain favourites to win the league.

Chelsea have to get three points to stand any chance of staging a comeback but Jeglertz just wants more of the same from his side.

The "key word is consistency" has stressed on Friday in his media conference.

One player who has been consistent this season, and consistently conspicuous, is England midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown.

She has been a surprising standout for City this season amid a squad of stars and it's her face which is on the front cover of today's match programme.