Anita Asante and Izzy Christiansen have backed newly-promoted Bristol City to hold their own in the Women's Super League. 

The Robins, part of the league's original eight-team line-up in 2011, are gearing up for life back in the top flight after a spell in the Championship following relegation in 2020-21. 

Lauren Smith's side kick off their campaign at home to Leicester on Sunday and ex-England midfielder Anita Asante — now part of the club's coaching team — is confident a strong season lies in wait.

Speaking exclusively to LiveScore, Asante said: "Bristol City have been in the top flight before, so they've learned a lot from past failures.

"The club understand where they're at and where they want to go. Most importantly, they're realistic about where they are right now.

"Developing young players and giving them a pathway to play at the highest level is something we're proud of and we have several English youth internationals in our ranks.

"We know we have to be difficult to beat, be robust and stay in games — especially against the more experienced sides.

"But we're confident that once we're established and confident enough to implement our own style on games, we can shine."

Exciting prospect

It is not just those within the club expecting big things from Bristol City.

Former Everton and Manchester City midfielder Izzy Christiansen, who is now a regular pundit on Sky Sports, is also relishing seeing the Robins back in the big time. 

Speaking to LiveScore earlier this week, 32-year-old Christiansen said: "They're a really exciting prospect.

"The culture and ethos around Bristol as a city, within sports like rugby as well as football, there's that real drive for success. 

"They have that sort of siege mentality. It's a really lovely place where sport thrives.

"They'll have a real desire to be underdogs and to try and upset big teams. They must find a way of retaining that while also developing their style.

"Of course, they'll come in with the prerogative of surviving, which will be a challenge but a very exciting one to follow."