Charlton Athletic welcome London City Lionesses to The Valley on Saturday as the newly promoted Addicks continue their search for their first points of the Women’s Super League season.
Charlton have started life in the top flight with defeats against Liverpool and Everton, while London City are entering their second WSL campaign after finishing sixth in their debut season in 2025/26.
The Lionesses have three points from their opening two matches this season, beating Manchester United before losing 2–1 against West Ham United. For Charlton, Saturday represents another opportunity to get their first WSL result on the board.
Charlton vs London City match information
Competition: Women’s Super League
Date: Saturday, 19 September 2026
Kick-off: 12:30 UK / 13:30 CEST
Venue: The Valley, London
UK TV: BBC One
Streaming: BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport
Watching from outside the UK? Try the Barclays WSL Youtube or W-Sport.
How to watch Charlton vs London City
Charlton Athletic vs London City Lionesses will be shown live on BBC One in the UK, with coverage also available through BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport platforms. International broadcast availability differs by country. Find out where to watch the WSL in our article.
Charlton looking for their first WSL points
Charlton’s return to the top flight has started with two defeats, but last weekend’s performance at Everton offered more encouragement than their opening result.
The Addicks began the campaign with a difficult 4–0 home defeat against Liverpool before travelling to Everton on matchweek two.
Charlton lost that match 1–0 after an own goal proved decisive, but the afternoon became considerably more difficult when they were reduced to nine players. That leaves Charlton without a point or a goal after their opening two matches.
Saturday nevertheless looks like an important opportunity for Karen Hills’ side. London City have assembled a squad containing considerable top-level experience, but this is also a newly promoted opponent rather than one of the established WSL title contenders.
Finding more threat in the final third will be essential if Charlton are to take advantage.
London City looking to bounce back
London City’s opening two matches have produced contrasting results. Eder Maestre’s side began the season with an impressive victory over Manchester United before suffering their first defeat of the campaign against West Ham United.
The Lionesses lost 2–1 at the Chigwell Construction Stadium despite seeing plenty of the ball, with West Ham proving more effective when their opportunities arrived.
Now in their second season in the WSL, London City have much greater top-flight experience than Saturday’s opponents. They also strengthened considerably during the summer, adding further quality to a squad that finished sixth last season.
With players such as Daniëlle van de Donk, Delphine Cascarino and Kadidiatou Diani among their attacking options, London City should have enough quality to cause Charlton problems. The challenge will be producing that consistently after following their opening victory with defeat at West Ham.
Team news
Charlton Athletic
Charlton have not yet released a fresh team-news update for Saturday’s match. Karen Hills’ pre-match update will be added here once the club confirms the latest availability.
Charlton will, however, have disciplinary issues to consider following the two red cards in last weekend’s defeat at Everton. Hawa Cissoko received two yellows, while Ashleigh Neville got a straight red card.
Latest update: Awaiting Charlton’s pre-match team news.
London City Lionesses
London City have also not yet published a detailed availability update ahead of the trip to The Valley. This section will be updated when Eder Maestre provides his latest squad news.
Latest update: Awaiting London City’s pre-match team news.
Charlton face a more established London City
There is an important difference between the two clubs heading into Saturday’s match. Charlton are only two games into their first WSL campaign, while London City already have a full season of top-flight experience behind them.
The Lionesses earned promotion in 2024/25 and then finished an impressive sixth in their first WSL campaign last season. Their ambitions have continued to grow since, with further investment in the squad during the summer.
Charlton therefore face a club that has already made the transition they are currently trying to navigate. Karen Hills’ side showed more resistance in their narrow defeat against Everton than they did in the 4–0 opening-day loss to Liverpool. Getting their first points on the board would now represent another important step.
What to expect
London City should enter the match as favourites given their greater WSL experience and the individual quality within their squad, but their defeat against West Ham showed there are opportunities for Charlton.
The Addicks’ biggest issue so far has been at the other end of the pitch. They are yet to score after two matches and will need to create more if they are to turn an improved defensive performance into points.
London City are likely to have more of the ball and should possess the greater attacking threat. Charlton’s task will be to remain compact, avoid giving their visitors space between the lines and make the most of the opportunities they do create.
If Charlton can keep the game close, the pressure could increasingly shift towards London City as the afternoon develops.
Prediction
Charlton Athletic 2-3 London City Lionesses
Charlton showed more resistance against Everton, but their lack of goals remains a concern. London City have enough attacking quality to create problems and should have the stronger squad, even if they are still developing as a team.
Match Preview: Charlton Athletic vs London City Lionesses
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