Matchweek 3 is over, and these opening matchweeks have given managers a much clearer picture of which assets may be trustworthy. You’ll probably continue to hear me say that we’re still in the data-gathering phase because, with a built-in Leg system, I believe Leg 1 allows us to ease into the game and determine which early-season performances we should be careful not to chase. With another weekend of goals, surprises and standout individual performances, Matchweek 3 gave us plenty to think about ahead of the next round.
Bristol City finally get off the mark
Bristol City finally joined the winners’ circle in WSL2, securing their first three points of the campaign with a convincing 5-1 victory over Watford. Rio Hardy stole the headlines with a hat-trick, while Katie Robinson added a late fifth after an own goal had extended Bristol’s lead. The result was made easier by Watford being reduced to nine players following two red cards, but there was still plenty for Bristol City to take from the performance. Hardy’s hat-trick will understandably put her on fantasy managers’ radars, especially with Bristol City heading to Burnley next before facing Southampton. However, this is where Fantasy managers need to be careful about chasing points.
This was Bristol City’s first positive result of the season after defeats to Sunderland and Newcastle. One big fantasy haul doesn’t necessarily mean a player has suddenly become a must-have. Hardy is certainly one to watch, but I’d want to see a little more consistency from Bristol City before making a move for their players. Lotta Lindström is another Bristol City name worth keeping an eye on. The £5.5m forward offers another route into Bristol City’s attack and could become an interesting differential if her minutes and involvement continue to develop. Lindström recorded one assist and created three chances in last weekend’s match-up.
Newcastle remain perfect
Newcastle extended their perfect start in the WSL2 with a 4-1 victory over Sheffield United. This result means the Magpies have won all three of their opening games, while finally conceding their first goal of the season. That’s three wins from three games, 7 goals, and just 1 conceded. With these stats, Newcastle assets continue to offer plenty of attacking and defensive fantasy potential, and it’s no surprise that many managers have multiple Newcastle players in their team.
Beth Lumsden was on the scoresheet again, while Kaitlyn Torpey and Martha Thomas also found the net, with Thomas scoring twice. Newcastle arguably has had one of the best starts across both leagues and have become one of the teams we need to take seriously when looking for fantasy assets.
The only question is how long their favourable run can last and whether they maintain this momentum against their tougher opponents.
Wolves finding their footing
Wolves are another WSL2 side worth watching after making it back-to-back wins with a 3-0 victory over Burnley. Amber Hughes, Melisa Filis and Anna Morphet were all on the scoresheet as Wolves produced three first-half goals to put the game beyond Burnley. The result extended Wolves’ impressive home run and suggests they are beginning to settle into life in the second tier.
For fantasy managers, Wolves are a team to keep a close eye on, but we must look beyond the scoreline. Wolves have recently entered the WSL2 fray and are still establishing themselves at this level. It is important to not make sweeping conclusions from one result or one standout performance, as these early fixtures give us a better understanding of how they intend to play. Wolves may offer some useful differential options, but managers should focus on a player’s role, involvement and upcoming fixtures before committing to their assets.
WSL
There were many talking points from the WSL2, but that does not mean that the WSL was without fireworks. Manchester City maintained their winning ways with a 4-2 win over Liverpool. Lauren Hemp scored twice for City, who had briefly fallen behind. Chelsea also followed up their big win over Manchester United with a 2-0 victory against Birmingham City, while London City Lionesses bounced back with a 4-1 win over Charlton thanks to an Isobel Goodwin brace. Tottenham were the biggest winners of the weekend, dismantling Crystal Palace 7-0. Olivia Holdt’s hat-trick, and Victoria Pelova’s brace and assist, were more than enough to secure the three points and put Tottenham one place off the top of the table in matchweek 3.
Don’t chase the points
If there’s one lesson managers can take from the first three matchweeks, it is to not chase points. Avoid bringing in a player simply because they had a huge points haul the week before. This also works in reverse, where a player failed to perform as expected. Rio Hardy’s 18-point performance after earning two consecutively is the obvious example, but the same principle applies across the game. Managers must identify genuine trends and avoid allowing one big performance to distort our view of a player. Instead, look at minutes, role, fixtures and involvement alongside the points.
Red cards and injuries
There were also a few disciplinary and fitness developments worth keeping an eye on as we look towards matchweek 4. Crystal Palace were reduced to ten players early against Tottenham after Fuka Tsunoda was shown a straight red. At the same time, Watford finished their WSL2 defeat to Bristol City with just nine players after Lucy Lyon and Eva Gray were sent off. These players will not be subject to suspension, so managers should keep abreast of team news before making fantasy decisions involving these clubs.
Injuries are another area to keep a close eye on as the season develops. Leicester City are already dealing with a depleted squad following Sam Tierney’s ACL injury and several other absences, while Chelsea have confirmed that Lauren James is recovering from an injury and may be available for matchweek 4. For fantasy managers, these absences are important not only because of the individual players affected, but because injuries and suspensions can reduce squad depth, change starting line-ups and create opportunities for other players to step into the starting XI. With Matchweek 4 approaching, keep an eye on club updates, manager press conferences and confirmed team news before locking in transfers or selecting your final XI.
Beyond the Pitch’s Matchweek 3 Team of the Week
Our Team of the Week highlights players whose performance shined through during the matchweek and some who delivered eye-catching fantasy returns. Courtney Brosnan gets the nod in goal after keeping a clean sheet against West Ham and recording 3 saves. Kaitlyn Torpey, Jana Fernández, Ellie Carpenter and Smilla Holmberg form a defence that combines defensive contributions with attacking potential with three goals and one clean sheet amongst the backline. In midfield, Signe Gaupset provided two assists, Lauren Hemp scored a brace aiding in City’s comeback and Olivia Holdt, a hat-trick to secure Tottenham’s massive win over Palace. Up front, Isobel Goodwin, Martha Thomas and Vivien Endemann round out the XI after contributing a flurry of goals and assists and standout attacking performances.
Player of the Week: Olivia Holdt
Olivia Holdt gets our Player of the Week award after announcing herself in spectacular fashion. Making her first WSL start of the season, the Tottenham midfielder scored a hat-trick in the 7-0 demolition of Crystal Palace. It was a reminder of the hidden fantasy value that can emerge when a player is given the opportunity to prove the impact they can provide in a starting role.
Looking ahead to Matchweek 4
Matchweek 4 brings another layer to fantasy management, with the UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase getting underway this week. That means rotation now becomes an even bigger consideration, particularly for players at Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. European fixtures could affect minutes, starting line-ups and substitutions in the WSL, so fantasy managers will need to pay closer attention to team news.
As we head into Matchweek 4, the picture is becoming a little clearer, but there is still plenty of football left to be played. The key is to keep gathering the data, identifying genuine trends and resisting the temptation to make decisions based on one result or one big fantasy haul.
In the next BTP Fantasy Guide, we’ll take a closer look at the Matchweek 4 fixtures, the players and teams that could offer value, and how we can put everything we’ve learned from the opening three matchweeks into our next team selection.
