Where to Watch Sunderland v London City Lionesses: Becky Ives Presents with Robyn Cowen on TNT Sports 1 HD and Discovery+ UK

Match date: 17 January 2026

Where to Watch Sunderland v London City Lionesses: Becky Ives Presents with Robyn Cowen on TNT Sports 1 HD and Discovery+ UK

Football fans across the UK gearing up for an exciting English Women's FA Cup Round of 32 clash will be pleased to know that Sunderland v London City Lionesses is available live on premier British channels. Kicking off at 12:15 UK time on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Eppleton Colliery Football Ground, this match promises drama in the Women's FA Cup fourth round. Viewers can tune into TNT Sports 1 HD or stream it via Discovery+ UK, both offering comprehensive coverage with the same top-tier broadcast team led by presenter Becky Ives.

TNT Sports, known for its extensive football portfolio including the Women's Super League and international fixtures, delivers high-definition action, ensuring every tackle and goal is crystal clear. Discovery+ UK, the streaming home for TNT Sports content, provides flexibility for those preferring to watch on mobiles, tablets or smart TVs with a subscription that's geo-restricted to the UK. Both platforms feature the identical lineup: main commentator Robyn Cowen, co-commentator Lucy Ward, pundits Rachel Brown-Finnis and Rachel Furness, plus reporter Liam MacDevitt on the touchline. This setup guarantees insightful analysis from experts who know the women's game inside out.

The match pits Sunderland AFC Women, a club with a rich history in the north-east football scene, against London City Lionesses, the ambitious London outfit making waves in the lower tiers. Hosted at Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground, Sunderland's home, the fixture adds a local flavour to this cup encounter. Prediction models from analysts suggest a tight contest, with London City Lionesses slightly favoured at 45.61% win probability, Sunderland at 31.26%, and a draw at 23.13%, per detailed previews.
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The Broadcast Team: Stars of Women's Football Coverage

Leading the presentation is Becky Ives, a seasoned broadcaster whose career spans major events in women's sport. Ives has fronted coverage for TNT Sports and Discovery+ across the Barclays Women's Super League and international tournaments, bringing her engaging style and deep knowledge to the forefront. Her ability to blend enthusiasm with sharp questioning makes her a favourite among viewers tuning in for cup ties like this one.

On commentary duty, Robyn Cowen takes the main mic. Cowen, a former player turned respected voice of the women's game, has commentated for BBC, ITV and now TNT Sports. With experience covering World Cups and Champions League finals, her calls are precise and passionate, capturing the intensity of moments at Eppleton Colliery. Joining her as co-commentator is Lucy Ward, ex-Everton and England international who played over 50 times for the Lionesses. Ward's post-playing career includes punditry for Sky Sports and ITV, where her tactical insights from midfield battles shine through, offering viewers a player's perspective on Sunderland's strategies.

The punditry duo of Rachel Brown-Finnis and Rachel Furness elevates the pre- and post-match discussion. Brown-Finnis, England's record female goalkeeper with 70 caps, retired after a stellar career at Everton and Liverpool. Now a BBC and TNT regular, she's renowned for her goalkeeping expertise and has been pivotal in promoting women's football through her media work and charity initiatives. Furness, a Northern Ireland legend with over 100 caps and a key figure at Bristol City, transitioned seamlessly into punditry with Sky Sports and now TNT, her forward-thinking analysis drawing from years as a goal-scoring midfielder.

Rounding out the team, reporter Liam MacDevitt brings live updates from the pitch. MacDevitt's career includes stints with Sky Sports News and talkSPORT, specialising in women's football where his on-the-ground reports add immediacy to broadcasts.

Match Preview: Sunderland v London City Lionesses

Sunderland enter this Women's FA Cup tie on the back of solid form in the Women's Championship, aiming for a deep run to boost morale. Playing at home gives them an edge, with the Eppleton Colliery ground known for its passionate support. London City Lionesses, managed by Jocelyn Prêcheur, boast flair and recent signings like PSG's Grace Geyoro for a record £1.4 million, signalling ambition despite their tier-two status. Head-to-head records are sparse, but previews highlight London's attacking threat with likely scorelines like 1-2 or 0-1 in their favour.
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The Women's FA Cup remains the pinnacle of domestic knockout football for women, dating back to 1971 and now under The FA's stewardship. This round of 32 fixture underscores the competition's growth, with live TV rights shared among broadcasters like TNT Sports, enhancing visibility. For British audiences, TNT Sports' deal ensures key ties like this reach millions, complementing BBC and ITV's coverage of bigger stages.

TNT Sports has revolutionised women's football broadcasting in the UK since rebranding from BT Sport, securing rights to 35 WSL games per season plus cups. Discovery+, as its streaming arm, launched in 2021 and quickly became essential for cord-cutters, offering add-on packs from £30.99 monthly. Both platforms excel in multi-angle replays, Opta stats and post-match highlights, making them ideal for following this Sunderland clash.

Team Backgrounds and Key Players

Sunderland AFC Women, founded in 1989, have won the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division multiple times and reached the FA Cup semi-finals in the past. Their resilience in cup ties makes them dangerous, especially at home where crowd energy plays a role. London City Lionesses, established in 2019, rose rapidly from tier four to the Championship, blending youth with experience under Prêcheur, ex-PSG assistant whose tactical acumen could exploit Sunderland's defence.

Expect focus on Sunderland's defence holding firm against London's pacey forwards, with stats trackers like FotMob and SofaScore providing live xG, possession and momentum updates for fans not watching on TV.
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How to Access the Coverage

UK viewers need a TNT Sports subscription via providers like Sky, Virgin Media or directly through Discovery+. New users can trial with flexible plans. Geo-restrictions apply, so VPNs won't bypass Discovery+ rules. For live scores sans TV, apps like FotMob offer real-time updates, but nothing beats the full broadcast with Ives, Cowen and co.

This match highlights the booming women's game in England, where cup upsets are common. Whether Sunderland grinds out a win or London City springs a surprise, the expert team ensures every angle is covered.

Explore more with these resources: The FA Women's FA Cup official page, Sunderland AFC Women, and London City Lionesses official site.

In summary, don't miss this Women's FA Cup gem on TNT Sports 1 HD or Discovery+ UK – coverage starts pre-kick-off with Becky Ives welcoming viewers to what could be a classic.