The 2025/26 Women’s Super League season kicks off on Friday, September 5, with champions Chelsea hosting Manchester City at Stamford Bridge (19:30 BST). Chelsea begin their title defence, while City look to mount a stronger challenge with a fully fit squad. In this match preview, we’ll cover everything you need to know ahead of Chelsea vs Manchester City, from predicted lineups and team news to how you can watch the game live.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 27: Millie Bright of Chelsea gives the team instructions in a huddle prior to the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinal second leg match between Chelsea FC Women and FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on April 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Chelsea-FC-Women-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-5.jpg?fit=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Chelsea-FC-Women-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-5.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Chelsea-FC-Women-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-5.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1" alt class="wp-image-11841" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Chelsea-FC-Women-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-5.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Chelsea-FC-Women-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-5.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Chelsea-FC-Women-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-5.jpg?resize=768%2C511&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Chelsea-FC-Women-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-5.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Chelsea-FC-Women-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-5.jpg?resize=1200%2C799&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Chelsea-FC-Women-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-5.jpg?w=1600&quality=89&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px">
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 27: Millie Bright of Chelsea gives the team instructions in a huddle prior to the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinal second leg match between Chelsea FC Women and FC Barcelona. (Photo by Molly Darlington – UEFA via Getty Images)
Chelsea vs. Manchester City: Team News & Possible Lineups
Chelsea Women vs Manchester City Women Lineups are derived from previous match days. We take into consideration how strong the opponents are, what players are injured and of course team news before the match.
Team News Chelsea
Chelsea begin the WSL season with new signings Mara Alber, Ellie Carpenter, and Livia Peng. Asked if there would be any further arrivals, head coach Sonia Bompastor said:
“I’m satisfied with my squad. We already made some signings and I think, as you could see today, some of the players have already brought a lot to the team. The transfer window is still open, and as Chelsea Football Club, we will always be observing what’s happening and we’ll stay alert to opportunities.”
Bompastor also hinted that Sam Kerr could make her return in the Women’s Super League opener against Manchester City, before adding with a smile: “I could be lying.”
What the coach has to say
Bompastor will give a full press conference ahead of the game, but she has already shared some thoughts on the team’s success and the fans:
“I enjoy sharing the emotion with the fans, and it’s really nice at the end of the game to have 10 or 15 minutes talking to them, having signatures, taking pictures, because these moments are the ones we enjoy the most,’ she said. ‘In your career, there are the ones that stick in your memory, and that’s why we do this job.
“Starting next week with the Man City game at Stamford Bridge, we are hoping for most of them to come and make the difference, and bring extra motivation for my players.”
Manchester City’s Kerstin Casparij (right) scores their side’s second goal of the game during the UEFA Women’s Champions League match at the Manchester City Academy Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Picture date: Thursday December 12, 2024. – Photo by Icon Sport " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247017\_0029.jpg?fit=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247017\_0029.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247017\_0029.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" alt class="wp-image-8320" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247017\_0029.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247017\_0029.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247017\_0029.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247017\_0029.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247017\_0029.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247017\_0029.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247017\_0029.jpg?w=3000&quality=89&ssl=1 3000w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px">
Manchester City’s Kerstin Casparij (right) scores their side’s second goal of the game during the UEFA Women’s Champions League match at the Manchester City Academy Stadium, Manchester. Thursday December 12, 2024. – Photo by Icon Sport
Team News Manchester City
Manchester City signed multiple players, among them Laura Wienroither signed a permanent deal after spending the second half of last season with City, making eight appearances. The goalkeeping department has been strengthened with the arrival of Eartha Cumings, while Sydney Lohmann joined from Bayern Munich and Iman Beney arrived from the Swiss Super League.
Head coach Andrée Jeglertz will address the media from 14:00 (UK) on Wednesday 3 September.
What the coach has to say
Manchester City played their final pre-season game against Durham and secured a comfortable 4-0 win. The new head coach Andrée Jeglertz reaction after the game:
On City’s performance: “Now we’re a little more ready. I thought we drove the game a little bit more, we were a bit hesitant on Tuesday, but I think we did a good game.”
On the squad depth and quality: “We have a squad with a lot of good players, there’s competition in all positions, so that’s how you have success, when you have depth. They make my job more difficult.”
On Risa Shimizu’s return: “Of course, for a player like her [Risa] who’s training every day and working very hard to get back, she deserved to get on the field.”
On our WSL opener against Chelsea: “We have the time we have and we’ve done everything we’re supposed to do. On Friday, we will be ready.”
Chelsea vs. Manchester City Women Lineups
Potential Chelsea Women Lineups (updated prior to the match)
Hampton
Baltimore
Carpenter
Bright
Björn
Cuthbert
Kaptein
Nüsken
Rytting Kaneryd
Hamano
Macario
Potential Manchester City Women Lineups (updated prior to the match)
Yamashita
Casparij
Ouahabi
Greenwood
Layzell
Hasegawa
Lohmann
Miedema
Hemp
Kerolin
Shaw
A general view of Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Football Club after KAA Gent fans caused disruption inside and outside of the stadium during the European Conference League match on Thursday October 3rd. Picture date: Friday October 4, 2024. – Photo by Icon Sport " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ICONSPORT\_240934\_0164.jpg?fit=300%2C169&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ICONSPORT\_240934\_0164.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&quality=89&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ICONSPORT\_240934\_0164.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&quality=89&ssl=1" alt class="wp-image-7389" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ICONSPORT\_240934\_0164.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ICONSPORT\_240934\_0164.jpg?resize=300%2C169&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ICONSPORT\_240934\_0164.jpg?resize=768%2C432&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ICONSPORT\_240934\_0164.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ICONSPORT\_240934\_0164.jpg?resize=2048%2C1152&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ICONSPORT\_240934\_0164.jpg?w=3000&quality=89&ssl=1 3000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px">
A general view of Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Football Club after KAA Gent fans caused disruption inside and outside of the stadium during the European Conference League match on Thursday October 3rd. Picture date: Friday October 4, 2024. – Photo by Icon Sport
Chelsea vs. Manchester City: Previous Meetings & Stats
The last time Chelsea and Manchester City met was during a run of four consecutive matches in March 2025. The clubs faced each other in the Women’s League Cup, the Women’s Super League, and twice in the Women’s Champions League. Chelsea lost once, 2-0 away to City in the Champions League, but still progressed to the next round after a 3-0 victory at home.
At home, Chelsea have dominated recent meetings. They have won five of the last six against City, with the only exception coming on February 16, 2024, when Khadija Shaw struck in the 14th minute to seal a 1-0 WSL victory for City.
Across the 2024/25 season, Chelsea scored nine goals against City, while conceding just four. Manchester City now head into 2025/26 with a fully fit squad, a new head coach, and several fresh signings, aiming to mount a stronger challenge despite missing out on Champions League football.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Women’s Super League Chelsea vs. Manchester City?
You can watch the Women’s Super League match between Chelsea vs. Manchester City on Sky Sports.
When was the last meeting between Chelsea vs. Manchester City?
Chelsea and Manchester City last met on February 16, 2024, when Khadija Shaw struck in the 14th minute to seal a 1-0 WSL victory for City.
What is Chelsea vs. Manchester City kick-off time?
Chelsea vs. Manchester City kicks off on Friday, September 5, at 19:30 BST at Stamford Bridge.