We’re two weeks into the season, and the picture is really starting to take shape. We've already had goals galore, a few surprise results to keep us on our toes, and now we're starting to get a proper feel for who's in form and who's still finding their feet.
In terms of our fantasy picks, some of the big names have hit the ground running, while a handful of differentials have quietly picked up more points than players costing twice as much, which is exactly what makes this game so much fun.
Now that we’re a couple of games in, we can see which defenders have the potential to rack up clean sheets, which forwards are in form, and which midfielders are involved in everything their side does.
This week's team is a mix of the players who've already made a strong start and a few that could put in some big performances this week.
We've gone with another 3-5-2 this week, packing out the midfield where the value and the kind fixtures line up nicely. As always, keep an eye on team news before the deadline for any late changes but this is the team we think can bag you the most points this week.
The Back Line
Anna Tamminen (Newcastle United) - £5.0m
It’s impossible to overlook Anna Tamminen. The Finnish goalkeeper just keeps on delivering for Newcastle United. She picked up 11 points last week, including keeping a clean sheet in her team’s 1-0 victory over Bristol City.
Now she's got another favourable fixture up next. Newcastle are up against struggling Sheffield United, exactly the sort of game you want your keeper involved in. There’s clean-sheet potential, and bonus points on offer, all for a very sensible £5m. While she keeps returning like this, there's simply no reason to look elsewhere for a goalkeeper.
Ellie Carpenter (Chelsea) - £7.0m
Our first defender is another one we just have to put in our team. Ellie Carpenter is enjoying a flying start to the season with Chelsea. The Australian international backed up her credentials as one of the best attacking full backs in style last week, getting on the scoresheet in Chelsea's emphatic 5-0 win at Manchester United.
That's the beauty of having Carpenter in your team. Sonia Bompastor’s side are pretty reliable defensively so there’s always those clean sheet points to pick up. Plus, she’s so attack-minded that those involvement points can easily start stacking up. This week Chelsea welcome Birmingham City to Stamford Bridge, a game they'll be strong favourites for, so there's every chance of another return at both ends.
Megan Collett (Southampton) - £5.5m
Next up we have Southampton’s Megan Collett. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic start to the season with Saints after picking up another clean sheet in last week's 0-0 draw with Ipswich. She's already shown she can chip in at the other end too with a goal in matchweek one.
Southampton face Sunderland this week, a tough but winnable game that gives her another shot at a really good return. What makes her such an exciting fantasy pick is that she doesn't just sit back, she gets forward and influences play, which is what our scoring system rewards. The £5.5m price tag makes her a nice way into a solid BWSL 2 defence as well, making her a smart pick for this week.
Emily Fox (Arsenal) - £6.5m
We have another attacking full back to complete our back three. Arsenal have kept clean sheets in both their games this season. With Manchester United the visitors to the Emirates this week, Renée Slegers’ side will back themselves to keep things tight at the back once again.
Fox’s propensity to get forward means that she has the potential to pick up those involvement points too, especially against a side who have struggled defensively. At 14% ownership, the United States international is a popular pick and this could be a strong week for her in terms of those all-important fantasy points.
The Midfield
Lauren Hemp (Manchester City) - £8.0m
Hemp is a strong pick this week, and the fixture is a big part of why. City play Liverpool on Friday night meaning there is the ability to use your subs if she doesn’t score points. The Champions ran out 4-1 winners at Aston Villa last time out, and while Hemp didn't get on the scoresheet herself, she was heavily involved as ever.
She's an electric, direct winger who has already picked up plenty of involvement points through her dribbling and chance creation. At £8m she's most certainly a premium option, but in a City side that has started the season firing on all cylinders, she's got every chance of a big score this week.
Beth Lumsden (Newcastle United) - £7.5m
Given their strong start to the campaign, we’re doubling up on Newcastle players this week. Beth Lumsden has impressed in the opening weeks and will be looking to put in another good performance against the Blades.
Lumsden likes to drive forward with the ball and get herself into dangerous areas. If Newcastle keep it tight and win comfortably, as the fixture suggests they might, she's well placed to pick up points at both ends. She’s already picked up 16 points so far this season and with only 2% ownership, she could be a shrewd pick this week.
Danielle van de Donk (London City Lionesses) - £4.5m
Danielle van de Donk is enjoying life in Bromley, getting on the scoresheet again last week, netting in London City's narrow defeat to West Ham, which shows exactly why she's worth another look this week. Eder Maestre continues to utilise van de Donk in a more attacking role this season, allowing her to get amongst the goals more often which means more fantasy points for us.
London City travel to Charlton this week, a game they'll be favourites to win, setting her up nicely to add to her tally. At £4.5m she’s a fantastic value pick who frees up budget for the big names elsewhere while still offering real end product.
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (Nottingham Forest) - £7.5m
Another selection from the second tier. Boye-Hlorkah scored in Forest's 2-2 draw with Watford last week, and now she's got the opportunity to keep it going. Nottingham Forest are up against a Durham side who have conceded seven goals in the opening two games.
Boye-Hlorkah is one of Forest’s most exciting players. She’s a real threat when she gets in the final third, the sort of player who gets into the box and makes things happen which means there are points to be had. At £7.5m she's not the cheapest pick, but with 1% ownership, she could be a difference maker for your team this week.
Lisa Baum (Arsenal) - £6.5m
Baum was part of an Arsenal side that kept things tight in a goalless draw with Palace last week, and while the goals didn't come, her overall involvement keeps the points ticking over. The new signing has looked lively in attack so far this season and consistently finds herself in dangerous areas which means the goals will come.
The visit of Manchester United gives Baum the chance to continue her good form, and the Gunners will back themselves at home. At £6.5m she offers real value for a player in some strong early season form.
The Forwards
Bunny Shaw (Manchester City) - £12.5m
Who else? Shaw did what she does best last week, scoring in City's 4-1 win at Villa, and she’s already picked up 27 points. City play, Shaw scores, we all know how it goes by now. It’s Liverpool up next for the reigning champions and whilst Gareth Taylor has shored up the Reds defence, the Jamaican looks to be unstoppable right now.
Don’t forget, hand her the captaincy and her score doubles. Yes, she's a big chunk of your budget at £12.5m, but her performances show exactly why.
Paulina Nyström (Leicester) - £5.5m
Here’s our value forward for this week, and she's flying. Nyström scored in Leicester's 4-2 win over Durham last week, continuing a bright start to life in England, and at £5.5m she's a smart way into a Leicester side who'll fancy their chances at this level.
If she keeps up this form, she could be a tidy differential up top, especially when paired with Bunny Shaw, there could be plenty of points in this duo. This week sees the Foxes take on Ipswich Town in a game they will back themselves to win. Hopefully the Finland international gets herself on the scoresheet once again.
Subs
Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Crystal Palace) - £4.5m
The experienced keeper brings excellent value as a bench goalkeeper and is a real points threat in her own right. Palace are at home to Spurs, so she's got a fair shot at a return if you decide to start her, and she's already banked a healthy tally this season. She’s one to think about if you want to spend money elsewhere in your squad.
Asmita Ale (Leicester City) - £4.5m
Ale has been in good form in the opening two games making her a dependable choice to have on the bench. She actually got on the scoresheet in Leicester's 4-2 win last week, and if you wanted to go for a different formation, she’s ideal to slot into your defence and pick up points thanks to a favourable fixture.
Grace Fisk (Liverpool) - £5.0m
Here's one for the more active managers. Fisk is the top-scoring defender in the game, but Liverpool's fixture is a tricky one. However, Gareth Taylor’s side play early, so you could start Fisk and if they spring a surprise and keep it tight you get the points, if not you've got time to use a sub.
Mary Fowler (Manchester City) - £6.0m
If you wanted to play three forwards Mary Fowler is the one to swap in. She's in decent form after scoring in City's 4-1 win at Villa last week and will be looking to add to her tally against Liverpool. Fowler, Shaw and Hemp could be a very strong City trio, especially if they score big points on Friday night.
