One of the unique aspects in Fantasy is that it includes both the Barclays Women's Super League and Barclays Women’s Super League 2 divisions. That’s a lot of teams and players to follow - particularly in preseason, when matches are happening thick and fast.
To help you plan your squad, we’ve rounded up official results, and players to look out for, from all second division teams that have reported their matches.
Bristol City
Notable preseason results: Southampton 1-2 Bristol City. Six games behind closed doors.
Fantasy lessons: Bristol City have made the most of preseason by challenging themselves against tough opposition. The 2-1 victory over Southampton will have fans excited, with Emily Syme and Maria Farrugia both scoring.
Syme is particularly interesting for Fantasy. She was named in the BWSL2 Team of the Season last year after contributing nine assists and four goals, plus she also netted a brace in the side’s preseason tour fixture against CF Badalona. The 26-year-old only has a two percent ownership right now, so could be an excellent differential with a regular route to attacking points.
New signing Brooke Aspin is also worth keeping in mind after making the move from Chelsea. Aspin started in defence as Bristol City kept West Ham scoreless in a behind-closed-doors friendly, an indicator that she could be good value at £5M, with a current one percent ownership.
Burnley
Notable preseason results: Valencia 0-0 Burnley, Burnley 0-0 Everton, Newcastle 3-1 Burnley.
Fantasy lessons: Burnley’s behind-closed-doors matches have featured 30-minute intervals and experimental lineups, but there’s a trend worth noting: Jackie Bachteler’s team held two high-level opponents to clean sheets before the defeat to Newcastle.
Bachteler’s use of the entire squad means it may be worth waiting a couple of weeks before considering adding a Burnley player to your lineup. There’s value to be had; all defenders cost £4.5M and are zero percent owned. Worth keeping an eye on.
Durham
Notable preseason results: Durham 0-1 Celtic, Liverpool 7-1 Durham.
Fantasy lessons: There’s little official information on Durham’s preseason results aside from a 1-0 defeat to Celtic and recent 7-1 thumping against Liverpool. Considering the club also has a new manager in the experienced Willie Kirk, it seems worth swerving on the team right now.
Madison McComasky may be enticing at £6.5M; she has great pedigree and should be on the pitch most of the time, but there’s no need to rush. Kirk may need time to assert his style and find the lineup that works best for him.
Ipswich Town
Notable preseason results: Several behind-closed-doors games during preseason camp in Spain. No results listed.
Fantasy lessons: Similar to Durham, a lack of information makes taking Ipswich players a hard sell right now.
Leicester City
Notable preseason results: Leicester 1-1 Manchester United, Liverpool 2-0 Leicester.
Fantasy lessons: Tough opposition have provided Leicester with valuable tests in the run up to the new campaign. Notably, defender Asmita Ale scored in the 1-1 draw with Eva Olid’s Manchester United in a match of two 40-minute halves.
Rick Passmore will also be excited to see Sarah Mayling back permanently. The former loanee provides valuable experience at full-back, plus a genuine differential with one percent ownership.
Newcastle United
Notable preseason results: Newcastle 0-1 Everton, Newcastle 0-2 Inter Milan, Manchester United 0-1 Newcastle, Valencia 2-2 Newcastle.
Fantasy lessons: Newcastle’s positive preseason has seen the side continually face top level opposition. Kathleen McGovern’s winner against Manchester United will likely put her above Beth Lumsden for those considering the side’s attacking options in their opener against Wolves. At £6.5M she is £1M cheaper than her colleague.
With that said, iconic midfielder Jordan Nobbs will control plenty of play and is a firm favourite at 10% ownership. Nobbs represents the safest route to points, costing £7.5M for those who want a midfielder who should contribute across the board.
Nottingham Forest
Notable preseason results: Forest 4-1 Vancouver Rise Academy, Forest 1-1 BC Premier League Selects, Forest 3-0 Kamloops United, Wolves 0-1 Forest.
Fantasy lessons: To say Lois Shooter is flying in preseason would be an understatement. Her five goals in four games, including the boost that she’s on penalties, has yet to capture the imagination of Fantasy owners.
Shooter is just one percent owned, and may be one of the best-kept secrets in the game if she takes her form into the campaign.
Chloe Mustaki, too, should be on your radar. Not only has Forest’s defence proven tough to break down, she scored two from the back in the win over Vancouver Rise Academy. An intriguing option for £5M.
Sheffield United
Notable preseason results: Sheffield United 2-2 Stoke City, Hull City 1-4 Sheffield United, Liverpool 5-0 Sheffield United.
Fantasy lessons: A range of results against opponents of different levels makes Sheffield United difficult to judge right now.
Last season was a major struggle, though, so it feels like the team needs to prove themselves before coming into serious Fantasy consideration. Amy Andrews is getting a little attention with three percent ownership up front.
Southampton
Notable preseason results: Southampton 1-2 Bristol City.
Fantasy lessons: Southampton’s only reported friendly is the loss to Bristol City, meaning you should wait for more information before taking on their players.
Sunderland
Notable preseason results: Hibernian 0-2 Sunderland.
Fantasy lessons: Sunderland’s single friendly that wasn’t behind closed doors was the 2-0 win at Hibbs, in which Elise Hughes and Katy Watson scored.
Hughes is an experienced scorer at this level and won the Golden Boot with Crystal Palace two years ago, while Watson is a creative outlet who is listed as a midfielder and may push higher up the field at times. Definitely worth considering.
Watford
Notable preseason results: Wrexham 1-5 Watford.
Fantasy lessons: A thumping win for the Golden Girls in Wales may have plenty of managers checking out if there’s any key differentials to be had. However, with five different scorers in that match, it’s best to wait and see how things play out before spending.
Wolverhampton
Notable preseason results: Wolves 1-1 Stoke, Wolves 0-1 Forest, Wrexham 0-4 Wolves (abandoned due to weather), Charlton 3-1 Wolves.
Fantasy notes: A mixed preseason will have Wolves supporters hoping they can improve and overachieve in their first BWSL2 season.
Forwards Amber Hughes, Louanne Worsey and Ellen Jones all represent budget strikers who have made an impact in recent weeks. They could prove vital if you’re looking to spend significant cash on a few bigger names.
