Manchester City have won only two of 11 previous meetings with Spanish clubs, both home wins over Barcelona, these coming in 2021 and three years later.
So, as the Sky Blues go in search of three precious Champions League points on Thursday, check out our pre-match preview, predictions, team news and TV listings.
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 Asian and Arab nations | beIN Sports |
Manchester City vs Real Madrid match preview
Can Manchester City continue their near perfect start to the campaign? On Saturday, Andrée Jeglertz's side made it four wins out of four to commence their WSL title defence. Alex Greenwood was the only scorer as the Sky Blues did enough to beat Charlton Athletic 1-0 at the Valley.
The defending champions take on struggling Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday, and a home win would all but eliminate the Gunners from title contention, even at this early stage. Meantime, the only match Man City have failed to win, so far, was their Champions League opener nine nights ago.
They actually found themselves 2-0 down against Bayern Munich, but fought back to earn a point at Sportpark Unterhaching. Beth Mead halved the defecit, before Bunny Shaw failed to convert a spot-kick, but Carlotta Wamser salvaged a draw late on. So now, back at Joie Stadium, will the champions of England pick up all three points this time?
As for Real Madrid, they too drew on matchday one, held by Paris Saint-Germain at Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano. This is despite taking a second minute lead in Valdebebas through Felicia Schröder.
Las Blancas also have their biggest Liga F fixture of the season coming up on Sunday, facing seven in a row champions Barça Femeni at Estadi Johan Cruyff, a match they routinely lose by a heavy margin. Ahead of this trip to Catalonia, can Pau Quesada's team claim a statement Champions League win?
Las Merengues finished seventh in last season's league phase, overcame Paris FC in the first knockout round, before falling to Barcelona in the quarter-finals, yet to get beyond that stage. Thus, Real Madrid will be no push-overs, but Manchester City are certainly favourites for victory.
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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