Match Preview: West Ham United vs London City Lionesses
Barclays Women’s Super League
West Ham United vs London City Lionesses
Saturday 12th September 2026 | 12:45PM (BST)
Chigwell Construction Stadium, Dagenham
A London Derby Awaits
After the perfect start to our second WSL campaign last week, we hit the road for the first time this season.
We have made the short trip across the capital to face West Ham United at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, with kick-off at 12:45pm today.
We head into our first away fixture of the 2026/27 Barclays Women’s Super League campaign with three points already on the board.
Last Friday’s opening night saw London City produce an impressive performance to beat Manchester United 2-1 in front of a record sell-out crowd.
Read the report on the button below.
Now, attention turns to a London derby. West Ham vs London City. Our first away day of the season.
Here is your full match preview.
London City Lionesses
London City arrive in Dagenham looking to build on an excellent opening-night victory.
An own goal gave Eder Maestre’s side the lead against Manchester United, before Daniëlle van de Donk produced a brilliant flicked finish from Delphine Cascarino’s cross to double
the advantage late on.
Simi Awujo pulled one back for United deep into stoppage time, but London City held firm to secure a deserved 2-1 victory and make the perfect start to the new campaign.
It was also a first competitive London City appearance for several of the club’s summer arrivals, with Rosa Kafaji, Mapi León, Alexia Putellas and Janni Thomsen among those making their first competitive starts for the club.
Speaking after the game, Maestre praised both the performance and the togetherness shown by his side.
“Today was a very good test to show how capable we can be in this competition.”
The challenge now is to carry that momentum away from home.
Team News
Eder Maestre’s matchday squad will be confirmed at 11:45am BST, one hour before kick-off at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Jana Fernàndez is back in contention after suffering a small injury before last week’s game against Manchester United. Isobel Goodwin is also back in the matchday squad after struggling with an injury in pre-season.
Lucía Corrales won’t feature after picking up a minor muscle injury against Manchester United.
Opposition Overview: West Ham United
West Ham return to the Chigwell Construction Stadium for their first home match of the new Barclays Women’s Super League campaign.
The Hammers are led by former Juventus and Inter Head Coach Rita Guarino, who took charge midway through last season and guided the club to WSL safety before overseeing significant changes to her squad during the summer.
West Ham made ten summer additions, with the final arrival particularly familiar to London City supporters.
Saki Kumagai completed a move from London City to West Ham on the opening day of the WSL season, joining the Hammers on a one-year contract. The Japan international made her West Ham debut two days later and provided an assist on the opening weekend coming from the bench.
She is not the only former London City Lioness in the West Ham squad.
Katie Zelem, who initially joined the Hammers on loan from London City in January,
completed a permanent move during the summer and has since been appointed West Ham captain.
There will also be a familiar face in the opposition team for Delphine Cascarino today, as she will face her sister, Estelle.
The Hammers began their season away to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, where they suffered a 3-1 defeat.
Spurs led through Signe Gaupset and a Kirsty Hanson brace, before Viviane Asseyi scored West Ham’s first league goal of the campaign deep into stoppage time, assisted by Kumagai.
Guarino’s side will now be looking for their first points of the campaign in their opening home fixture.
Last Time We Met
Our last visit to the Chigwell Construction Stadium ended all square.
Jana Fernández opened the scoring after 20 minutes in March, finishing a brilliant counter-attacking move after Freya Godfrey raced forward from inside her own half before supplying the defender.
West Ham responded in the second half, with Oona Siren producing a superb volley from outside the penalty area to level the score and secure a 1-1 draw.
That result meant London City went unbeaten against the Hammers in our maiden WSL campaign.
Earlier in the season, Kosovare Asllani scored the only goal as London City recorded a 1-0 victory over West Ham at home, capitalising on a mistake before rolling the ball into an empty net.
Eder Maestre and Janni Thomsen's Press Conference
Hear from Eder Maestre and Janni Thomsen ahead of our first away fixture of the Barclays
Women’s Super League season.
Watch the full press conference below.
Today’s Kits
We will be wearing our home kit for our clash with West Ham today.
The Hammers will be in claret and blue.
Where to Watch
Kick-off is at 12:45pm BST at the Chigwell Construction Stadium on Saturday 12th September.
The fixture has been selected for live broadcast by Sky Sports, with UK coverage available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Mix.
International supporters can check the Barclays WSL’s ‘Where to Watch’ guide below for local broadcast information.
Alternatively, supporters can follow all the action across London City’s social channels throughout the afternoon.
What’s Next?
Team news drops at 11:45am, before kick-off at 12:45pm at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Let’s make it six points from six.
COME ON LONDON CITY!
