Gameweek 7 is the second week back from international break, and we're just under a third of the way through his season. Some players are practically ablaze, but some, despite doing well, are struggling to find the limelight. The Scout returns to guide you through this weekend.
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Kinga Szemik (West Ham) & Sophie Howard (Leicester City)
West Ham vs. Leicester is a game packed with potential for defenders and goalkeepers alike. Leicester City are currently a perfect fantasy opponent for goalkeepers. They make plenty of shots, allowing for save and bonus points, but really struggle to convert those into goals. This gives Kinga Szemik, the West Ham first-pick goalkeeper, plenty of opportunity to haul.
Sophie Howard stands out as Leicester City's only ever-present player this season, bagging a clean sheet against Everton in GW5, and bonus points against Villa in GW4. When this fixture took place last season they had a 1-1 draw, with Howard taking 3 bonus points (although I should note, Howard scored Leicester's goal.) Mackenzie Arnold, West Ham's previous goalkeeper, also took a bonus point.
The combination of a West Ham goalkeeper and a Leicester defender is a proven one for this fixture, either could be your edge at the back this week.
Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City)
Manchester City playing at home to Tottenham is another standout defensive fixture in GW7. The league leaders have kept Spurs goalless often enough in the past, including both of their WSL matchups last season. Kerstin Casparij is one of only two Man City players who has featured in every feature so far this season, giving her a good shot at getting clean sheet points. She's also capable of getting more points, bagging an assist against Brighton in GW2.
Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United)
You'd be remiss if you didn't back Maya Le Tissier at home against Aston Villa this weekend. It's not a guaranteed clean sheet, as Villa's attack has had some consistent runs in the past, btu things have not get clicked for the visitors under Robert de Pauw. Villa are still without a win, and have twice failed to score in a match this season. Manchester United, by contrast, have managed to keep 3 clean sheets in their last five games. That's enough of a green light for us to trust Le Tissier, who is currently the game's highest scoring defender, and is also Man United's new first-choice penalty taker.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea) & Marie Höbinger (Liverpool)
Both Rytting Kaneryd and Höbinger are in supreme form, both are in the top five for midfielders in Fantasy WSL, with JRK being the season's highest goal-scorer so far. Between returns and bonus points, this pair could easily break into double-digits.
We also guarantee that Liverpool and Chelsea will see a ton of goals. Liverpool hasn't yet been able to keep a clean sheet, and their last two match-ups saw 13 goals scored. This game last season saw Höbinger's set pieces drive Liverpool to a shock 4-3 win, and bag her 13 points in Fantasy WSL. That said, this is a new Chelsea side under Sonia Bompastor, and it's proven deadly so far. Liverpool might not win, but Liverpool have a habit of pulling goals from even the toughest games.
Jill Roord (Manchester City)
With two goals in the last two games, it's safe to say that Jill Roord is back. She has an excellent fixture at home to Tottenham, who have conceded 14 goals this season, second only to Crystal Palace. In this fixture last season, Roord scored and assisted once each in a thorough 7-0 victory. Already reliable, Roord has also begun making up for lost time, by getting her first-ever Fantasy WSL bonus points last week.
Grace Clinton (Manchester United)
Grace Clinton is the second most popular player in Fantasy WSL, and for good reason. She's one of the strongest performing midfielders in the WSL, in a Manchester United team that can be deadly when it gets going. This weekend sees them play at home against a Villa side that has only kept a single clean sheet, and with Clinton currently finding herself the key to United's attacking form, we imagine she'll score and get some bonus points too.
Khadija Shaw (Manchester City)
For the WSL's top scorer Khadija Shaw, a home game against Tottenham is as good a fixture as you'll see all season. Manchester City scored nine goals against Spurs in the WSL last season, with Shaw netting four times across those games. We're expecting a near-default Shaw captaincy, because the potential cost of missing out on a haul, between the goals and bonus, is as great as ever.
Katie Stengel (Crystal Palace)
As newcomers to the league, Crystal Palace have a ton of attackers with low selection and therefore eligible for visionary points. Against Everton, currently without a win at the bottom of the WSL table, there is no better time to bet on them than now. One of the attackers looking to take advantage is Katie Stengel, a repeat starter for Palace's attack. Most importantly, Stengel isn't afraid to buy a ticket to the lottery - she's individually in the top 10 for shots this season, even though Palace are second-bottom for shots among all WSL clubs. That domination is worth backing against a struggling opponent. You, like Stengel, could be rewarded for taking a chance.
Elisabeth Terland (Manchester United)
She's only returned in one game so far, but I'm backing Elisabeth Terland for a great game this weekend. At 5% selection, any points she earns prove a huge advantage in the fantasy game, and all the pieces are in place for a haul. Terland has the most shots of anyone at Manchester United (double that of Clinton, who is second) and is a top 5 shooter in the WSL overall. She starts every game and plays big minutes in a great role. At home to winless Aston Villa, the key is already in the ignition, and just waiting for you to turn it.