Ahead of the matchweek 8 in the BWSL, it’s time to dig deep and single out five players, owned by less than 3% of Fantasy managers, who are worth adding to your XI.
Maisie Symonds (Brighton, MID)
Price: £6.0m | Selected: 1%
We’ll kick things off with a shout out to Maisie Symonds. The Brighton midfielder enters Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace in strong form having scored last weekend, while she now has two goals and assists in her last two appearances in front of a home crowd.
In games of this nature, against teams outside of the upper reaches of the BWSL table, Symonds absolutely packs a punch, and if her last two home efforts are anything to go, then the 23-year-old should be expected to enjoy herself against an Eagles team that has given up an abundance of chances and goals in recent games.
Amalie Vansgaard (Aston Villa, FWD)
Price: £6.5m | Selected: 1%
I know, I know, going for an away-day player against Arsenal is always asking for trouble, but if you’re looking to go down a road currently travelled by only 1% of Fantasy managers, and you’re feeling brave, then Aston Villa Amalie Vansgaard is well worthy of consideration.
Vanguard will stride out at Emirates Stadium brimming with confidence having scored twice last time out, and she notched those two goals on the road. She’s effective at finishing off counter-attacking moves, and we know that this Villa side can do damage on the break, as we saw at Stamford Bridge earlier in the campaign.
Only seven BWSL players have scored more league goals than Amalie Vansgaard during the current campaign, and given that she’s already proven her big-game credentials this season, scoring against Man City, she’s not a player to forget about, even if she has the seemingly tough task of leading the Villa line against the Gunners.
Julie Blakstad (Tottenham, MID)
Price: £5.5m | Selected: 1%
Those looking to make a change to their midfield, especially those looking to go against the grain, should consider Tottenham’s Julie Blakstad, who recently assisted against Chelsea and now has an easier assignment. Interestingly, only two BWSL players have registered more assists than the Norwegian.
It’s worth looking back to earlier in the campaign, when Spurs ran riot against Aston Villa, who are not too dissimilar to Birmingham in terms of overall quality. On that occasion, the marauding full back/winger created plenty, picking up an assist for her efforts.
Owned by only 1% of Fantasy managers at the time of writing, Blakstad, who is much closer to the top of the pile in terms of point-scoring midfielders than the bottom, very much fits into the hidden-gem category ahead of the next round of BWSL fixtures, especially as she’s available for the bargain price of £5.5m.
Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Crystal Palace, MID)
Price: £7.0m | Selected: 2%
The most expensive of the five players is Lexi-Lloyd Smith, though in return for spending that little extra, you’re essentially getting a forward who is categorised as a midfielder. What’s not to like?
The summer signing from Bristol City is currently Crystal Palace’s highest Fantasy scorer, sitting on 33 points after seven games, while she’s not unfamiliar with hurting teams of Brighton’s standing, scoring this season against the likes of Birmingham and Everton.
The Eagles haven’t exactly soared since arriving at BWSL level, but an away game against the Seagulls is far from their toughest test to date. On paper at least, this is definitely the type of game where a dangerous player like Lexi Lloyd-Smith could do some serious damage.
Julia Zigiotti Olme (Manchester United, MID)
Price: £6.5m | Selected: 2%
Another interesting midfield option ahead of the next matchday is Julia Zigiotti Olme, who is criminally underowned at present. The Swedish maestro has been acquired by just 2% of Fantasy managers at the time of writing.
With recent goals against Charlton and Liverpool, the midfielder knows how to deliver the goods, and let’s face it, this game against Everton is definitely one that an in-form Red Devils team should be looking to attack.
