The Women’s Super League champions meet the WSL2 champions on Sunday as Manchester City begin their title defence at home to newly promoted Birmingham City.
Andrée Jeglertz’s side completed a WSL and FA Cup double last season and start the new campaign among the title favourites once again. Birmingham return to the top flight for the first time since 2021/22 after winning promotion under Amy Merricks.
It is a difficult opening assignment for Birmingham, although their FA Cup meeting with City last season showed they are capable of making this matchup competitive.
Manchester City vs Birmingham match information
| Competition | Barclays Women’s Super League |
| Date | Sunday 6 September 2026 |
| Kick-off (UK) | 2:30pm BST |
| Kick-off (Central Europe) | 3:30pm CEST |
| Venue | Joie Stadium |
| TV/stream (UK) | Sky Sports+ |
| Matchweek | 1 |
How to watch Manchester City vs Birmingham
Manchester City against Birmingham will be shown live on Sky Sports+ in the UK, with kick-off scheduled for 2:30pm BST. The match starts at 3:30pm CEST for viewers in Central Europe. Are you watching the WSL from outside the UK? Try the Barclays WSL YouTube or W-Sport.
Broadcast arrangements outside the UK vary by territory, so supporters should check their local Women’s Super League broadcaster.
Manchester City team news
City will be without Vivianne Miedema, Rebecca Knaak and Niamh Charles for their opening fixture. Miedema suffered a knee injury during the summer and is expected to remain unavailable through the autumn. Knaak has a foot problem, although City are hopeful her absence will be considerably shorter.
Jade Rose is back in full team training, while Grace Clinton returned to training on Friday. Jeglertz also has new options following the arrivals of Carlotta Wamser and goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, who joined on loan from Orlando Pride on deadline day.
Moorhouse will compete with Ayaka Yamashita and Eartha Cumings for minutes, with Jeglertz refusing to designate a permanent first-choice goalkeeper.
Predicted Manchester City lineup
Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Greenwood, Shimizu; Coffey, Hasegawa; Fujino, Clinton, Hemp; Shaw.
Clinton’s recent return to training creates some uncertainty in midfield, while Wamser gives Jeglertz another option on the right. With Miedema unavailable, Bunny Shaw should lead the attack.
Birmingham City team news
Birmingham return to the WSL with considerably more top-flight experience in their squad. Former Manchester United pair Millie Turner and Lisa Naalsund are among the major summer additions, with Turner named captain for the new campaign.
Goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley has also arrived, while Canada international Marie Levasseur strengthens the defence and young forward Chancelle Effa Effa provides another attacking option.
They join an established group including Lily Crosthwaite, Lee Geum-min, Simone Magill, Veatriki Sarri and Neve Herron. Birmingham completed their preseason preparations with a 3-1 victory over Valencia.
Predicted Birmingham City lineup
Baggaley; Harris, Turner, Herron, Levasseur; Naalsund, Cornet; Lee, Crosthwaite, Sarri; Magill.
Effa Effa and Wilma Leidhammar are among the alternatives available to Merricks if she wants a different attacking setup against the champions.
What to expect from Manchester City vs Birmingham
City should control possession and spend significant periods trying to break down a compact Birmingham defence. But Birmingham have already shown that they can frustrate the champions. The teams met in last season’s FA Cup quarter-finals, when City needed an early Shaw goal to secure a narrow 1-0 victory at St Andrew’s.
Merricks has since added more WSL experience to her squad, particularly through Turner and Naalsund. The challenge will be considerably greater at the Joie Stadium. City have Shaw leading the line with Hemp and Fujino capable of attacking from wider areas, while Hasegawa and Coffey give them control through midfield.
Birmingham will need to remain organised without becoming completely pinned inside their own defensive third. Their best opportunities may come through quick transitions and set pieces rather than trying to match City for possession.
Manchester City vs Birmingham prediction
Birmingham should be better equipped for the WSL following their summer recruitment, and last season’s FA Cup meeting provides evidence that they can make life difficult for City. The champions should still have too much quality at home, even with several players unavailable.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Birmingham City
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