Hammarby vs Man City Women: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Manchester City will look to extend their unbeaten run in the UEFA Women’s Champions League when they travel to Stockholm to face Hammarby on Thursday evening.

The Cityzens continued their European dominance at the Joie Stadium last week, defeating Hammarby 2-0 thanks to goals from Laura Blindkilde Brown and Aoba Fujino. The English side travel to Stockholm with three wins from three so far, currently sitting top of their group standings.

Tournament newcomers Hammarby have had a turbulent start to their European campaign, securing a 2-0 win over St. Polten on the first day before falling in consecutive defeats against Barcelona and Man City. The Bajen faithful will play a big part at home, after their incredible traveling support filled the Joie Stadium with noise last week.

Having been drawn in what many may consider the toughest group in the Champions League, it would probably take a miracle for this young team to overcome City or Barcelona. Even though the odds are stacked against us, we are certainly in for a gutsy and emphatic performance from the Swedish side.

here it is 90 minutes preview of Thursday’s matchup.

Hammarby vs Man City H2H Record

Last meeting: Man City – Hammarby 2-0 (12 November 2024) – UEFA Women’s Champions League

Current form (all competitions)

Hammarby concluded their 2024 league season last weekend, closing the Damallsvenskan campaign in third place behind Rosengard and BK Hacken.

This means Hammarby can focus on the Champions League game, and can also enjoy the luxury of a week off between the doubleheader with Man City. This will provide Martin Sjogren with valuable time to reassess last week’s performance against the Cityzens and better prepare his team for the challenge.

Martin Sjogren made a brave choice with his line-up at the Joie Stadium, choosing to stay at the forefront with his attacking philosophy. It won’t look much different on Thursday as Hammarby will need to be brave to have any hopes of toppling one of the giants in the group.

Vilde Hasund and Cathinka Tandberg remain Hammarby’s only two goalscorers in the Champions League so far. Julie Blakstad will once again face her old club.

Hammarby predicted line-up against Man City (4-2-3-1): Oak; Andersson, Nystrom, Carlsson, Lennartsson; Joramo, Miyagawa; Blackstad, Hasund, Wangerheim; Tandberg.

Gareth Taylor made only minor changes to his City side to face Hammarby last week, with young star Laura Blindkilde Brown earning her place in the starting line-up after opening the scoring.

Changes are expected for the first leg as City bounce back from a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, marking his first WSL loss during the 2024/25 campaign.

The team runs out Vivianne Miedema and they received another blow this week, after it was revealed Lauren Hemp underwent knee surgery and no update had been given on his return.

Defensive duo Laia Aleixandri and Naomi Layzell could be in the running to return on Thursday.

Man City predicted line-up against Hammarby (4-3-3): Keating; Casparij, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Ouahabi; Hasegawa, Park, Blindkilde Brown; Kelly, Shaw, Fujino.

Hammarby will be keen to put on a brave display in front of the Bajen faithful to keep their European hopes alive. This may work to their own detriment as City will look to exploit their press and get on the scoresheet early on.

The Swedish side had some bright moments against Man City in the first leg, and can use those signs to nullify Stockholm City. Although the international break comes after the game, the Cityzens are likely to throw everything into the game to cement their place at the top of Group D.

City are likely to escape with victory this time around, hoping to keep the distance between themselves and Barcelona ahead of their meeting in December.

Prediction: Hammarby 0-3 Man City

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