Last weekend saw plenty of goals! Bunny Shaw bagged a hat-trick as Manchester City beat West Ham 5-0 to reclaim their place at the top of the league. Alessia Russo struck twice in the first half as Arsenal won 2-1 at Liverpool, and Crystal Palace edged a five-goal thriller against Charlton. Eva Olid's Manchester United kept another clean sheet at Aston Villa, with Zigiotti Olme’s goal settling it. Plus, BWSL 2 produced three separate 4-1 wins for Sunderland, Southampton and Nottingham Forest.
There's a big game coming up this weekend as Chelsea take on Manchester City, with only two points between first and second this game could prove decisive later in the season. Tottenham welcome Everton on Saturday afternoon, which pits a free-scoring attack against one of the tightest defences, and West Ham host Charlton, hoping to bounce back after their trip to City. In BWSL 2, we have a derby in the North East as Sunderland host Newcastle in a top-two meeting.
We've got some exciting games coming up, so here are our fantasy picks for matchweek ten. Team news can change plans, so as always, check before the deadline.
The Back Line
Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United) - £5.5m
Manchester United are up first this weekend, which means Tullis-Joyce sets the tone for everyone's weekend. Palace arrive in the North West having scored three against Charlton, so this isn't a game to take lightly, but she kept a clean sheet at Villa last weekend and we're backing the U.S. international to be on top form once again. United have conceded 11 goals from an expected 15.41, and Tullis-Joyce saves 78.85% of the shots she faces, which makes her a sound pick for our number one spot this week.
Hanna Lundkvist (Manchester United) - £5.0m
At just £5m Lundkvist is proving to be a steal in these recent fixtures. She already has 38 points to her name, and is our first defensive pick for this week She's a right back who loves to have the ball at her feet, with 48.39 passes and 7.7 progressive passes per 90, so United's play runs through her side more than you might expect. She's also contributed a couple of assists so she could pick some attacking involvement points, but the clean sheets are the real draw here. She and Tullis-Joyce make a nice double act, if United's defence stand firm against Palace, they both get the points.
Kaitlyn Torpey (Newcastle) - £4.0m
Torpey is a left back, but is given licence to get forward as much as possible so she spends most of her time in the opposition half. She average 5.95 passes per 90 into the final third, and has a goal and an assist to her name, so there's attacking involvement points potential here. Newcastle have conceded three goals in seven games and they face their biggest test of the seasons so far, up against Sunderland. It will be a tough game but we're backing the best defence in the second tier to pick up the points once again.
Abbie Lafayette (Nottingham Forest) - £5.5m
Forest are one of the most intriguing teams in BWSL 2. They're currently unbeaten in the league and Abbie Lafayette is our third defensive pick as a result. She is an attacking full back who likes to get forward and contribute to the attack whenever possible. She does plenty of defensive work as well, with 10.17 interceptions per 90 so she's always busy. Going forward she averages 0.92 crosses per 90, meaning she offers assist potential as well. Plus, Forest scored four at Wolves last weekend and have conceded just eight goals so far, so we think she's a strong pick this weekend.
The Midfield
Lauren Hemp (Manchester City) - £8.0m
Nobody in the BWSL creates chances like Lauren Hemp. She leads the league with five assists and 2.44 key passes per 90, and her recent performances suggest there could be even more to come. She's been pretty unstoppable this season, averaging 6.39 crosses and 7.55 touches in the box per 90. Most of City's attacking play runs through Hemp so even on the rare days when she doesn't score or assist, there are still the attacking involvement points on offer.
Océane Hurtré (Birmingham) - £6.0m
Seven of Birmingham's 11 goals this season belong to Hurtré, and she's the second highest scorer in the BWSL. She plays on the left but can play right across the front line. Hurtré has been in some excellent form of late, averaging 3.32 shots per 90 and completing 80.39% of her dribbles. In fantasy terms, 35 of her 81 points have come from goals, with two assists adding six more. Those seven goals have come from an xG of 2.98, so that tells you about the quality of her finishing this season. Birmingham visit Villa on Sunday afternoon, and if the game opens up, she's just the sort of player to take advantage.
Signe Gaupset (Tottenham) - £6.0m
Gaupset has been one of the standout players for Spurs, she scored in last week's win over Brighton putting her on four goals for the season so far, each worth five points from midfield. She's so often the person who starts things when Martin Ho's side are looking to build an attack, with 6.77 passes per 90 into the final third and 80% of them finding a team mate. Everton are the visitors on Saturday with only ten goals conceded, so Spurs will need to be patient, but they have scored 25 goals already this campaign. We're backing Spurs to break through the Toffees defence and backing Gaupset to be at the heart of it.
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (Nottingham Forest) - £7.5m
5.04 shots per 90 minutes, more than anybody else in BWSL 2. This is Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah's calling card, and it's brought three goals so far and plenty of attacking involvement points. She's also contributed three assists so she can find the back of the net and create chances for others. The Ghana international is averaging 7.9 fantasy points per game, and only 4% of managers have her at £7.5m, so she could be the difference-maker for your team. Forest face a Leicester side who have conceded 13 in seven, so we're thinking she could be in the goals once again.
Freya Jupp (Southampton) - £4.0m
Four goals in seven games is a strong return for a any fantasy player, and Freya Jupp has turned that into 46 points. She averages 2.99 shots and 5.19 touches in the box per 90, so she is regularly in the right place to score. She averages 0.63 goals per 90 minutes, a strong rate from a player who has averaged 82 minutes a game. For just £4m and 2% ownership, she has plenty of fantasy value. Southampton scored four against Sheffield United last week and visit Burnley on Sunday, where the hosts have conceded two per game on average.
The Forwards
Bunny Shaw (Manchester City) - £12.5m
This weekend sees the toughest defence in the league meet the most prolific forward. Shaw has 12 goals this season, including a hat-trick last time out, and not one of them has come from the penalty spot. Her 1.37 goals per 90 is the best in the league, and 48 of her 90 fantasy points have come from goals, with an assist and bonus points making up the rest. She takes 5.8 shots per 90, so City never have to wait long for a chance. With 69% of managers on board and an average of 10.0 points per game, she is the most popular player in the team, and it's pretty easy to see why.
Viviane Asseyi (West Ham) - £8.0m
Asseyi our next pick for this week. Her five goals have brought 20 fantasy points, and the seven bonus points on top show she contributes in plenty of other ways. She's averaging 3.1 shots per 90 so far this season, meaning she is rarely short of a sight of goal, so there's always a chance she will find the back of the net in any game. Defenders often can't stop her without a foul, as she is brought down 3.31 times per 90 minutes, which wins West Ham ground and set pieces when play gets cramped. Charlton arrive on Sunday having conceded 28 goals, so it could be a good afternoon to be a West Ham attacker.
Subs
Akane Okuma (Aston Villa) - £4.5m
Okuma faces more shots than any other goalkeeper in the top flight, averaging 7.46 per 90 minutes, so she's always busy which racks up the fantasy points. So far this season, she's made 54 saves worth 16 points, and she has reached 49 points without a single clean sheet, which is some going. She has prevented 3.16 goals, second only to Tullis-Joyce, so she's consistent as well, and Birmingham's visit on Sunday could finally bring the clean sheet points she has been missing. At £4.5 she's a smart option in goal.
Caitlin Hayes (Brighton) - £5.5m
The Brighton defender has scored twice this season, which is a nice return for a centre back, and each goal brought six fantasy points. She's an aerial threat from set pieces, winning 78.05% of her aerial duels, so Brighton always have her as an option at corners and free kicks. She's just as composed with the ball, completing 89.11% of her passes and she's played all nine games, so rotation is rarely a worry here. Brighton host Liverpool on Saturday, so you could start Hayes and if she blanks, subbing her out before Sunday's deadline.
Beth Roe (Ipswich) - £4.0m
Ipswich have only conceded six goals so far this season, and Roe's numbers indicate just how busy she is at the back. She makes 12.78 successful defensive actions per 90 minutes, the fourth highest in BWSL 2, so she's a defender who earns her points through sheer volume of work. Ipswich are up against Watford on Sunday, so clean sheet points are realistic. She's only played 479 minutes across five games, so team rotation is worth a quick check with this one.
Amber Hughes (Wolves) - £5.0m
Hughes is the value pick as our attacking sub. She's bagged five goals from just 14 shots which is a remarkable strike rate, and her 0.95 goals per 90 is the second best in the league. At £5m she leaves plenty of room in the budget and only 3% of managers own her so she could be a really shrewd pick this week. Durham visit Wolves having conceded 24 in seven games, which suits a player in this kind of form. She has only played 476 minutes across seven games, so keep an eye on team news before the deadline if you want to swap her in.
