After another exciting round of Barclays Women’s Super League action, attention now turns to Matchweek 8.
With the BWSL2 on a quick break due to the Subway Players Cup, we’ve focussed our attention on the BWSL only this week.
And we’ve picked out four potential captain picks ahead of the action for Saturday and Sunday.
Alessia Russo - Arsenal
vs Aston Villa (H) | £11.5m
Arsenal have made a slow start to the BWSL season and won just their second league game of the season with a 2-1 victory at rivals Tottenham Hotspur last time out. Alessia Russo was directly involved in both Arsenal goals, following up her first-half assist for Georgia Stanway with the eventual winner from the spot at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It means Russo has now been directly involved in three goals in her last three outings. And the 27-year-old is tipped to extend her haul against Aston Villa this weekend. Russo struck twice when the two teams last met back in May. She provided the assist for Frida Maanum’s effort in a 3-0 win.
She’s been directly involved in eight goals in the last six league clashes between Arsenal and Villa. And now seemingly hitting her stride, Russo could be a good captain pick this weekend.
Lauren James - Chelsea
vs Charlton Athletic (A) | £7.5m
A bit of a risk, yes, but one that could pay off. Lauren James is currently a doubt having been forced off in the 72nd minute of Chelsea’s 6-2 win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.
James missed the 3-1 win at Crystal Palace at the weekend, but may yet return to the side for Sunday’s trip to London rivals Charlton Athletic. While the England star has been restricted to just four league outings, no Chelsea player has scored more goals than the 25-year-old for the Blues this season after her brace against Spurs.
Charlton sit bottom of the BWSL having lost all seven matches, conceding 19 goals in the process. James will hope to return in time to face Karen Hills’ side to add to her BWSL goal haul this weekend.
Kiko Seike - Brighton & Hove Albion
vs Crystal Palace (H) | £7m
Brighton & Hove Albion face an M23 Derby clash with rivals Crystal Palace this weekend. Brighton have struggled on their travels but are unbeaten in three at home, winning their last two.
And key in both home victories was Japan star Kiko Seike, netting twice in the 5-1 win over Charlton Athletic and once in the 3-0 success at the expense of West Ham United. Seike has scored more goals (4) than any other Brighton player this season, and she’ll hope to add to her haul on Sunday.
Palace, meanwhile, are winless in six, and have lost their last two BWSL matches. 15 goals conceded is also the third most. Seike could prove a solid deferential captain pick for the weekend’s BWSL action.
Bunny Shaw - Manchester City
vs London City Lionesses (A) | £12.5m
To an extent, a fairly obvious pick. Bunny Shaw is the top scorer in the BWSL this season having bagged eight times. Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United last time out, with Shaw again getting in on the act.
A trip to London City Lionesses will be a tough one to navigate, however. LCL sit third in the BWSL, three points off City, and are really catching the eye under Eder Maestre. No matter the calibre of opposition, however, Shaw has the goal-getting capability to put any team to the sword.
Shaw struck the winner in this game last season, and bagged twice in the home clash. Regardless of the opponent, the 29-year-old is a pretty safe captain pick on Fantasy
