With cup games and Champions League nights wrapping up for the month, players have now returned to their national team camps to prepare for various fixtures, whether European qualifiers or friendlies.
There may be no WSL matches until December 8th, but don't forget—a manager's job never stops! To help you stay ahead, we've compiled this list of players on international duty so you can start scouting and planning your Gameweek 9 transfers early. (Gameweek 9 Deadline: 08/12/2024, 11:00 UK)
Rachel McLauchlan • Brighton • Defender • Scotland
McLauchlan was the top visionary and the second overall player of Gameweek 8, scoring 13 points thanks to a goal and an assist. In Gameweek 9, she'll face a tough test against Bompastor's unbeaten Chelsea side.
She's been called up for Scotland’s two-game tie against Finland as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 European Championship. If successful, it will be their second appearance in the competition, following their debut in 2017 when they were knocked out in the group stage.
Fixtures:
Scotland vs. Finland Friday, 29 November, 7:35 PM (UK)
Finland vs. Scotland Tuesday, 3 December, 5:15 PM (UK)
Other WSL players in this fixture:
Scotland: Jenna Clark (LIV), Sophie Howard (LEI), Kirsty Smith (WHU), Erin Cuthbert (CHE), Kirsty Hanson (AVL), Martha Thomas (TOT), Emma Watson (MUN)
Finland: Olga Ahtinen (TOT), Oona Siren (WHU), Eveliina Summanen (TOT)
Celin Bizet Ildhusøy • Manchester United • Forward • Norway
Bizet closed Gameweek 8 with 11 points, thanks to her double-gameweek performances against Leicester City (9 points) and Chelsea (2 points). In Gameweek 9, the Red Devils will face Liverpool.
Selected by just 4.81% of FantasyWSL managers, Bizet has been called up to face Northern Ireland as Norway seeks their 13th consecutive qualification for the European Championship. Norway has won the competition twice and only failed to qualify once—in 1984, during the tournament's inaugural edition.
Fixtures:
Northern Ireland vs. Norway Friday, 29 November, 7:00 PM (UK)
Norway vs. Northern Ireland Tuesday, 3 December, 5:00 PM (UK)
Other WSL players in this fixture:
Norway: Guro Bergsvand (BHA), Frida Maanum (ARS), Guro Reiten (CHE)
Northern Ireland: None
Kinga Szemik • West Ham United • Goalkeeper • Poland
Szemik has amassed 35 points this season despite West Ham's defensive struggles. She kept a clean sheet against Leicester in Gameweek 7 and made four saves against Brighton last week. West Ham will face league newcomers Crystal Palace in Gameweek 9.
Szemik has been called up as one of Poland's three goalkeepers for their crucial fixtures against Austria. This will be a historic campaign for Poland, who have never qualified for the European Championship before.
Fixtures:
Poland vs. Austria Friday, 29 November, 5:00 PM (UK)
Austria vs. Poland Tuesday, 3 December, 5:15 PM (UK)
Other WSL players in this fixture:
Poland: None
Austria: Marie Höbinger (LIV), Laura Wienroither (ARS), Manuela Zinsberger (ARS)
Sara Holmgaard • Everton • Defender • Denmark
Holmgaard has been steadily building her points tally, with 5 points in Gameweek 7 against Crystal Palace and 9 points last week against Liverpool, for a total of 25 points this season. Selected by 2.51% of FantasyWSL managers, she’ll be in action against Tottenham in Gameweek 9.
Denmark has a friendly match scheduled against Iceland at home. The two sides last met during last year’s Women’s Nations League group stage.
Fixtures:
Denmark vs. Iceland Monday, 2 December, 5:00 PM (UK)
Other WSL players in this fixture:
Denmark: Katrine Vejsgaard Veje (CRY), Katherine Møller Kühl (ARS), Mille Gejl Jensen (CRY)
Iceland: Dagný Brynjarsdóttir (WHU)
While the players are making headlines on international duty, make sure you're making moves for Gameweek 9. Keep scouting and stay ahead of the game!