Which players should you pick up this week to get an edge over your friends? Here are 5 players who look set to bring in points despite currently flying under the radar.
Océane Hurtré (Birmingham)
- Price: £6.0m | Ownership: 4%
- Key Stats: 42 points, 4 goals, 1 assist, 48 crosses.
After four fixtures, left-winger Océane Hurtré is the top-scoring player in the game with 42 points. Despite this superb start, her ownership remains low at 4%, a figure that will surely climb sharply over the next few weeks.
While fantasy managers might naturally expect a player in this form to regress to a more modest mean, Hurtré’s underlying data suggests her performance is sustainable. She is a primary creative outlet for Birmingham, leading the league with 48 crosses delivered – 21 more than Ellie Carpenter in second place.
This is helped by her role as the team's designated set-piece taker. Hurtré is also in the top 10 of the BWSL for fouls drawn and has the most shots on target in the league after Bunny Shaw.
Beyond statistics, Hurtré's play over the opening fixtures easily passes the ‘eye-test’. An agile, aggressive dribbler capable of producing whipped crosses of real quality, there’s a hint of audacity to her play, exemplified by her impudent outside-the-boot finish to open the scoring against Crystal Palace. All in all, Hurtré looks to be a great differential option this season.
Isa Kardinaal (London City Lionesses)
- Price: £4.0m | Ownership: 1%
- Key Stats: 13 points, 360 minutes played, 1 foul committed.
Isa Kardinaal saw limited game time last season, starting just three league matches. However, the departures of Saki Kumagai to West Ham and Wassa Sangaré to Lyon have allowed the young defender to step into a starting centre-back role alongside the talismanic Mapi León. Kardinaal has played every minute of the campaign so far, quietly accumulating 13 fantasy points.
Following substantial squad investment over the summer, London City Lionesses have started the season strongly. Kardinaal provides an economical £4.0m entry point into one of the BWSL’s best teams. While her conservative defensive role means she is unlikely to contribute goals or assists, Kardinaal’s disciplined play is an asset; she has committed only one foul this season, making her a low-risk option for yellow card deductions. Overall, Kardinaal represents a dependable, budget-friendly option who will accrue consistent points over the season.
Julie Blakstad (Tottenham)
- Price: £5.5m | Ownership: 1%
- Key Stats: 2 assists, top 10 for crosses, 15 goals in final season at Hammarby.
For managers willing to take a calculated risk, Tottenham’s Julie Blakstad stands out as an intriguing option. The Norwegian international has secured the right-back position for Spurs, though she remains classified as a midfielder within the fantasy game. While some managers may be deterred by this or by her high foul count—currently the joint-highest in the league—her attacking threat offers substantial upside.
Tottenham currently lead the league in scoring and are clearly willing to commit numbers forward in attack. Tactically, Blakstad operates as an inverted 'false-back,' moving into central midfield during possession and advancing into the final third when Tottenham dominate. This has allowed her to register two assists already and rank in the top 10 for league crosses. Given her historical pedigree –scoring 15 goals and 6 assists in her final season for Hammarby – Blackstad possesses the attacking instincts to reward managers as an out-of-position prospect.
Andrea Medina (Manchester United)
- Price: £5.5m | Ownership: 4%
- Key Stats: 28 points, 13 interceptions (2nd in league), 7 tackles, 1 goal.
Andrea Medina has been a consistent performer in a Manchester United side that has otherwise had a mixed start to the season. Still just 22, she has 7 tackles (putting her in the top 15 in the league), 13 interceptions (the second most in the league), 8 crosses, and a scrappy goal against West Ham, reflecting her combative, all-action playstyle.
From a fantasy perspective, Medina offers an intriguing out-of-position advantage. Though classified as a defender, she is currently playing as a left-winger. The transfer of Melvine Malard to Chelsea and Fridolina Rolfö’s absence due to pregnancy has created an opening in United's front line, which Medina has occupied effectively, including scoring against West Ham. If the attacking players around her can rediscover their clinical edge, then Medina may well prove a bargain at 5.5m.
Akane Ōkuma (Aston Villa)
- Price: £4.5m | Ownership: 2%
- Key Stats: 27 saves (1st in league), 20 points, top 10 for goalkeepers.
Aston Villa have endured a difficult start to the season, sitting second-from-bottom in the BWSL and failing to record a clean sheet. This run led to manager Natalia Arroyo’s departure earlier this week. Despite these struggles, summer signing Akane Ōkuma has been impressive. She leads the league with 27 saves, earning 20 fantasy points and placing her among the top ten goalkeepers in the fantasy game.
What’s more, Villa are likely to improve over the next few weeks. After a daunting opening run of fixtures in which they faced title contenders Chelsea, Manchester City, and Tottenham, their next league games see them play Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Everton, and Birmingham. If the team can stabilise under new leadership and keep clean sheets during this run, Ōkuma will easily justify her £4.5m price tag.
