Thursday 2 September 2021 08:36, UK
Arsenal Ladies and Bristol Academy Women battle it out on Sunday as they bid to lift the prestigious FA Women's Cup trophy.
The Gunners are the strong favourites in the competition having won 11 of their previous 12 FA Women's Cup finals.
However, Bristol will be no pushovers, with the Vixens proving to be one of the surprise packages in this season's FAWSL and currently top of the table with the usually dominant Arsenal struggling early on.
Sunday's final also marks a repeat of the 2011 showpiece in which Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners at Coventry's Ricoh Arena with goals coming from Julie Fleeting and Kim Little as Bristol admitted the occasion got to some of their players.
The sides have already met this season, just last weekend in fact, and again Shelley Kerr's Arsenal came out on top after winning 4-2 in their Continental Cup encounter.
However, Bristol rested several big players, particularly sensational Spanish duo Laura del Rio and Natalia Sanchon, as their youngsters battled valiantly against the Gunners.
Manager Mark Sampson will be hopeful of being able to team up his 'female Michu' Sanchon with del Rio, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury and is a doubt for the game.
Following their impressive start to their 2013 league campaign, the Academy are in confident mood going into the final at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium with the ultimate prize being a trophy the club have never won before.
But the Gunners are no strangers to the competition and, with the likes of PFA Player of the Year Kim Little in their arsenal, the side are a force to be reckoned with.
Experience will also be a key factor in the game with Arsenal having that steady presence of the left-footed Rachel Yankey, who boasts well over 100 appearances for England.
The 33-year-old has already lifted the FA Cup once before and has several other accolades spanning an impressive career. Her role could prove pivotal for Arsenal.
Overall, both sides have enjoyed strong performances on the road to the final so it will be a case of who will be able to rise to the big occasion and does not let it get to them.
The final kicks-off at 3pm.
