Attention turns to matchweek seven in the Barclays Women’s Super League this weekend whilst BWSL2 sides return to action after a League Cup hiatus.
Matchweek six provided answers to a number of questions following the first international break of the campaign and managers will be weighing up their options ahead of a full slate of action across the two tiers.
With that in mind, here are five selections to shortlist for the armband if you’re hoping to score big in Fantasy this weekend.
1. Oceane Hurtre - Birmingham City
vs Charlton Athletic (H) | £6.0m
Océane Hurtré has well and truly taken the BWSL by storm this season, despite the fact Birmingham City are yet to land their first victory on their return to the top flight.
The 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength for the Blues, and has now netted in all but one of her first six matches in the BWSL. She followed up a maiden cap and goal for France during the international break with a coolly taken finish at the Emirates last weekend, and is proving unstoppable for opposition defenders.
Amy Merricks’ team are in desperate need of a win this weekend, facing table-footers Charlton Athletic at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park and if anyone’s going to provide the golden touch it looks to be Hurtre. Selected by just 14% of players, Hurtre is a favourable choice for the armband.
2. Bunny Shaw - Manchester City
vs Manchester United (A) | £12.5m
After Hurtre had soared to the top of the BWSL scoring charts with her strike against Arsenal on Saturday, Bunny Shaw responded in kind with a brace against Brighton and Hove Albion to reclaim pole position in the golden boot race.
The Jamaican has already registered seven league goals this term and now has three in her last two matches. Whilst a derby day trip to a much-improved Manchester United is a potential banana skin for Manchester City, Shaw has consistently proved a dependable outlet in big games - most recently with her goal at the Emirates before the international break.
68% of managers currently own Shaw so she won’t offer much in the way of a differential option but at an early stage in Leg 2, it may be a smart idea to pick the obvious choice.
3. Lauren James - Chelsea
vs Crystal Palace (A) | £7.5m
After an injury-disrupted first portion of the campaign, Lauren James carried her international break form into the BWSL last weekend as she grabbed a brace in Chelsea’s 6-2 dismantling of Tottenham Hotspur.
James proved her class with two sharp finishes at Stamford Bridge, and facing a Crystal Palace side who are without a win since opening day, she’ll be keen to continue her goalscoring exploits.
Averaging 10.8 Fantasy points this season, James is a must-have when fit and looking to double her returns against Palace could be a wise choice.
4. Poppy Wilson - Watford
vs Durham (H) | £4.0m
If you’re looking for a left-field selection to get ahead in Leg 2 then opting for Watford’s Poppy Wilson could be exactly what you’re after.
After enjoying a strong end to the Hornets’ promotion campaign last season, Wilson has deputised well for the injured Saiorse Noonan in recent weeks and etched her name onto the scoresheet in both of their previous matches.
Facing a Durham side who are yet to pick up a point in the BWSL2 and have conceded 16 goals in their first five matches, there are bound to be openings for Wilson and making the bold choice to name her as skipper could pay dividends - given she’s owned by less than 1% of players.
5. Danielle Van de Donk - London City Lionesses
vs Liverpool (A) | £4.5m
Priced up at a low cost with huge upside, London City’s Danielle Van de Donk has proved an inspired choice so far this term - returning 45 points across the opening six games.
The Dutch midfielder initially caught the eye for her goalscoring in the early weeks of the campaign, with strikes against Manchester United, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, but has also turned provider with five assists in her last four outings for club and country.
The 35-year-old has established herself as an indispensable part of a firing London City Lionesses side, and ahead of a clash with a Liverpool team who have lost their last two matches, she could be a sensible option for a healthy points return.
