Another weekend of action is approaching across the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Super League 2, with several players already making their mark in the opening stages of the season.
From Manchester United’s Andrea Medina scoring her first BWSL goal last weekend to Sunderland’s Elise Hughes finding the net three times in four matches, there are plenty of players carrying attacking momentum into the next round of fixtures.
Here are five players to keep an eye on this weekend, alongside some of the numbers that could make them interesting options for Fantasy managers.
The Two-Way Threat — Andrea Medina, Manchester United
Andrea Medina heads into Manchester United’s meeting with Liverpool after making her mark in front of goal last weekend.
The left back scored against West Ham United, registering an impressive 0.80 xG on target, while also creating two big chances.
Her attacking contribution was backed up by an impressive defensive display, with Medina winning 59.6% of her duels and winning seven fouls.
She has also shown her ability to contribute without the ball, recording 15 tackles, 13 interceptions and 27 clearances.
Manchester United secured their first win of the season last weekend, and with Liverpool next, Medina will be looking to build on her impressive performance and continue to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
The Attacking Spark — Mary Fowler, Manchester City
Mary Fowler has already made her presence felt for Manchester City this season, scoring twice in her opening four matches.
The striker has recorded 13 shots and an xG of 0.90, highlighting her ability to regularly get into threatening positions.
Fowler has also been effective in possession, completing 74.5% of her passes and 75% of her attempted dribbles.
Her ability to combine her movement in the final third with her quality on the ball makes her an interesting player to watch heading into the weekend.
Manchester City face Arsenal next, giving Fowler the opportunity to add to her two goals and continue her promising start to the campaign.
The Ball-Playing Defender — Gabriella George, Brighton & Hove Albion
Gabriella George has made an impressive start to the season for Brighton & Hove Albion, scoring once in her two starts at centre-back.
The defender has been particularly assured in possession, completing an impressive 93.2% of her passes.
George has also demonstrated her ability to play the ball forward, with 63.6% accuracy from her long-ball attempts.
Her defensive contribution has been just as important, with 14 defensive actions including tackles and recoveries across her two starts.
With Charlton Athletic next, George will be hoping to continue her strong start and provide another solid display at the heart of Brighton’s defence.
The Goal Machine — Elise Hughes, Sunderland
Elise Hughes has been one of Sunderland’s standout attacking players so far this season, scoring three goals in her opening four matches.
The striker has registered 12 shots, underlining her willingness to test the opposition and get into goalscoring positions.
Hughes has also contributed in other areas, completing 72% of her passes and winning 50% of her duels.
She has been particularly effective in the air, winning 71.4% of her aerial duels, while also recording five clearances and helping Sunderland keep a clean sheet this season.
Sunderland face Leicester City next, and Hughes will be looking to continue her impressive goalscoring form and add to her three goals for the campaign.
The Midfield Engine — Alana Murphy, Nottingham Forest
Alana Murphy has been an influential presence in midfield for Nottingham Forest, contributing at both ends of the pitch during the opening stages of the season.
The midfielder has scored twice in four matches, while also creating five chances for her teammates.
Murphy has shown her range of passing, completing 79% of her passes and recording seven accurate long balls, while her 64.3% successful dribble rate highlights her ability to carry the ball forward.
Her defensive numbers have also stood out, with Murphy winning 60.9% of her duels and registering 15 tackles, 23 recoveries and five clearances.
With Forest continuing their unbeaten start to the BWSL2 campaign, Murphy will be looking to maintain her influence when they take on Southampton this weekend.
Who should you pick?
With another round of BWSL and BWSL2 fixtures on the horizon, there are plenty of options for Fantasy managers looking to strengthen their squads.
Andrea Medina and Mary Fowler both offer attacking threat, while Gabriella George could provide value at the back. In BWSL2, Elise Hughes’ goalscoring form makes her one to watch, while Alana Murphy offers the potential for points across multiple areas of the pitch.
Ultimately, the best pick will depend on your squad, budget and the type of player you are looking for. But with goals, creativity and defensive contributions all on offer, these five could be worth considering ahead of the weekend.
