Real Madrid have never lost any of their three previous meetings with Manchester City, eliminating them from Champions League qualifying in both 2021 and the following years. However, las Blancas have lost all five subsequent visits to England, conceding 12 goals.
So, ahead of this very challenging Champions League trip to Joie Stadium on Thursday, check out our preview, predictions, team news and TV info.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid match info
- Date: Thursday 1 October 2026.
- Kick off times: 8pm (BST) & 3pm (ET)
- Competition: UEFA Women's Champions League league phase matchday 2
- Venue: Joie Stadium - Manchester, England
- How to watch: Disney+ (UK) and Paramount+ (USA).
How can I watch Manchester City vs Real Madrid?
Country | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
United States | Paramount+ |
United States (En Español) | ESPN |
Europe and Australia | Disney+ |
Canada | OneSoccer |
South America | ESPN |
Selected Arab and Asian countries | beIN Sports |
Manchester City vs Real Madrid match preview
Real Madrid have been handed a very challenging Champions League fixture list, meaning every point counts. On matchday one, las Blancas could only manage a 1-1 draw when Paris Saint-Germain visited Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano. Felicia Schröder broke the deadlock inside 100 seconds, only for PSG to pinch a point later on.
Pau Quesada's team face Bayern Munich, Paris FC, Inter Milan and Roma after this, so will have to work hard to earn every point they accumulate. Las Merengues did actually finish seventh in last season's league phase, but repeating that feat could prove difficult. On paper, this might just be Real Madrid's toughest fixture, so can they upset the odds and pick up a result?
That's because, Manchester City are looking very strong right now. The Sky Blues have began their WSL title defence with four wins out of four, most-recently overcoming Charlton Athletic 1-0 on Saturday. Alex Greenwood the only scorer at the Valley.
Having said that, Andrée Jeglertz's team did not win their Champions League opener. The Sky Blues were 2-0 down against Bayern Munich, needing goals from Beth Mead and Carlotta Wamser to salvage a point at Sportpark Unterhaching, with Bunny Shaw seeing a penalty saved in between.
Nevertheless, there is growing belief that Man City, who have not gone further than the quarter-finals since 2018, are genuine contenders to win the Champions League. Thus, a home win seems the most likely outcome at Joie Stadium.
Manchester City team news
Andrée Jeglertz made five changes for the weekend WSL win at Charlton, but will largely revert back to the side used in Munich. Yui Hasegawa, Lauren Hemp and top-scorer Bunny Shaw are among those likely to return.
Real Madrid team news
Pau Quesada similarly made four changes as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 5-3 in San Sebastián on Saturday. Sara Däbritz and Lineth Beerensteyn were both on target in that win, as was Felicia Schröder. The Swedish striker has also scored in all three of Real Madrid's Champions League matches so far this season, including both legs of the qualifying victory over Ajax, so can she continue this streak?
Predicted Line-ups
- Manchester City predicted lineup: Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Greenwood, Wamser; Hasegawa, Coffey, Fujino, Mead, Hemp; Shaw.
- Real Madrid predicted lineup: Frohms; Navarro, Lakrar, Andersson, Levels; Senß, Däbritz, Caruso; Caicedo, Beerensteyn, Schröder.
- Score prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Real Madrid.
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