Following a very interesting first gameweek across BWSL and BWSL2, let’s take a look at our recommendations for which players to give your armbands to ahead of the next gameweek.
1 - Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw
At Aston Villa | £12.5m
Although the Jamaican holds the title as the most expensive attacker in the game, she seems certain to reward users who give her the armband.
In the latest WSL Football data, Shaw has been selected by 61% of teams in the Fantasy game ahead of this weekend’s fixture.
Now looking at Manchester City’s next fixture. They travel to Villa Park to face-off against Aston Villa on Sunday evening. The match won’t be easy for the Champions after Villa clinched a 1-1 draw away at Chelsea with some goalkeeping heroics from Akane Okuma.
However, let’s take a look at Shaw’s goalscoring pedigree against the Villains. In December, City ran out winners against Villa in a dominant 6-1 victory which saw Shaw bag four goals.
I know the price tage might put some users off but there is a reason why she’s one of the game’s most lucrative players.
2 - Kiko Seike
At Birmingham City | £7m
Now here is my outside pick away from the obvious names for who I think should wear your armband this gameweek. Although goalless in Brighton’s first game against Arsenal, Seike was a constant threat down the right-hand flank and asked real questions of Ona Batlle.
In the BWSL last season, Seike managed eight goals and earned 113 points last season, a very strong score for a side not pushing for the title.
The attraction isn’t purely about Seike’s scoring potential but also her involvement under new head coach Arturo Ruiz. In her last match, the Japanese international completed the most dribbles and showed no sign of stopping.
Brighton & Hove Albion travel to newly-promoted Birmingham City for their first away game of the season and if Seike recreates her performance from last week, it seems clear that she will be involved heavily.
3 - Katy Watson
At Burnley | £6.5m
You know those players who have such a good first gameweek that you immediately wish you’d selected them? Katy Watson falls into that category.
Selected by just 2% of Fantasy users, the Sunderland forward rewarded faithful supporters with 20 points last week against Bristol City. The 20-year-old bagged two goals and an assist and quite frankly was the star of the show of gameweek one.
And at just £7.5m, there’s plenty of budget to spend elsewhere on your side.
Sunderland travel to Burnley on Sunday and it should make for an interesting encounter. No one knew what to expect from Burnley following their promotion to BWSL2 in the summer, but a defiant defensive performance earned them a draw against Watford.
But with Sunderland and Watson on a high following their 4-1 rampage against Bristol City, it’s hard not to favour the young Englishwoman.
4 - Alessia Russo
Vs Crystal Palace | £11.5m
At £11.5m, Russo is one of the most expensive attackers in Fantasy, so captaining her is a big investment - but her pedigree reflects the potential for big returns.
Arsenal host Crystal Palace from the Emirates Stadium next time out, giving Russo a favourable fixture to justify that premium price tag.
The England international remains one of the BWSL’s most reliable attacking options and finished last season with 13 league goals and six assists, starting all 22 of Arsenal’s BWSL matches. Her ability to contribute both goals and assists gives her multiple routes to Fantasy points, while Arsenal’s attacking strength makes Russo an obvious candidate for a haul.
The fixture is arguably the biggest reason to consider giving her the armband.
Crystal Palace are back in the BWSL, while Arsenal will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they challenge at the top of the table. With Russo expected to lead the line, there is plenty of potential for the forward to repay Fantasy managers who have invested heavily in her against a side she’s scored against before.
5 - Ellie Brazil
Vs Ipswich Town | £7.5m
Ellie Brazil could be one of the standout captaincy options from BWSL2 this week after making an immediate impact on the opening weekend.
The Southampton forward scored and assisted in the Saints' 3-1 victory away at Durham, giving Fantasy managers an early indication of the attacking returns she can provide (14 points).
That performance was no fluke when looking at Brazil's record. She scored six goals and registered three assists in 20 BWSL2 appearances last season, finishing with 103 Fantasy points.
At £7.5m, the former BWSL player is therefore priced as a player capable of producing regular returns rather than being a speculative budget pick.
The fixture only strengthens the case for handing her the armband. Southampton welcome Ipswich Town on Sunday, their first home game of the season, after opening the campaign with a convincing away win.
Will momentum and home advantage push Brazil to further attacking success?
Who gets my pick?
Shaw gets the armband for me.
I like to play safe and I think there’s no safer option in Fantasy than Shaw, and her two goals in the opening weekend confirm this.
Her previous goalscoring record against Aston Villa is also too strong to ignore, therefore I think she is the safest pick for your gameweek two captain.
If you’re on a budget, Seike provides a cheaper route to attacking returns and impressed heavily in gameweek one. Watson and Brazil proved their attacking output in the opening weekend and I wouldn’t rule out giving them the armband. While Russo is another proven attacker who will be in pursuit of her first BWSL goal of the season.
