The 2026/27 Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Super League 2 seasons could not have had a more thrilling opening weekend. With dominant wins, debut goals, and statement performances, the tone has been set for an exciting season. Across the WSL, six teams opened with victories, while Chelsea and Aston Villa played out the only draw. Meanwhile, WSL2 produced its own set of statement performances, with Sunderland, Newcastle and Southampton particularly catching the eye.
The big WSL talking points
After finishing sixth in their first season in the top flight, London City Lionesses made a statement by importing some of the best talent from Spain, France and beyond. The big question was always going to be how quickly the heavily rebuilt side could compete with the established WSL clubs. While Alexia Putellas has not quite stamped her authority on the WSL yet, London City’s 2-1 win over Manchester United offered an early glimpse of what the side could become. They controlled 60% possession and registered 11 shots to United’s four, while Putellas, Mapi León, Rosa Kafaji and Janni Thomsen all made their debuts.
Chelsea dominated the numbers against Aston Villa, producing 35 shots and 3.10 xG, but had to settle for a point after an own goal cancelled out Lauren James’ opener. Villa goalkeeper Akane Okuma was outstanding on her debut, making nine saves to keep her side in the game. It was a surprising result for a Chelsea side expected to challenge at the top of the table, but also an encouraging start for Villa.
A 4-0 win away for Liverpool against newly promoted Charlton was arguably the most convincing performance of the weekend. Grace Fisk was extraordinary, scoring twice while completing 121 of 122 passes. Vivien Endemann also scored on her debut, while Gareth Taylor’s side controlled the game from start to finish.
Manchester City also began their title defence with a 3-1 win over Birmingham. Khadija Shaw picked up where she left off last season with two goals, while Mary Fowler opened the scoring. Birmingham’s late consolation prevented a clean sheet, but City looked every bit like title contenders once again.
Over in the WSL2, Sunderland’s 4-1 win over Bristol City was the standout result. Katy Watson was almost unplayable, scoring twice and assisting another. She completed the most dribbles, had the most touches in the opposition box and recorded the most shots for Sunderland. She also finished as the second-highest Fantasy scorer of the entire weekend with 20 points.
Newcastle also immediately showed why they are one of the promotion contenders with a 2-0 win over Wolves. Newcastle enjoyed 70% possession, while Jemma Purfield completed 117 passes and Aoife Mannion 110. Beth Lumsden created five chances, despite playing just 58 minutes.
What can we learn ahead of Matchweek 2?
For Fantasy managers, the opening weekend provided an important reminder that goals are not the only marker of success. The official WSL Fantasy game rewards actions across the pitch, meaning players such as Katy Watson and defensive performers can produce huge scores without simply relying on goals and assists. Grace Fisk’s 21-point haul and Watson’s 20 were the two highest scores of the opening weekend, with Kirsty Hanson close behind on 17.
Fisk’s 21 points included the 12 points from her two goals, two bonus points and an additional point for her defensive involvement. Watson’s 20-point haul was boosted by three bonus points and two points for her defensive actions. It is therefore worth looking beyond goals and assists and identifying players who consistently rack up the additional points that the Fantasy game rewards.
Beyond the Pitch’s MW1 Team of the Week
Formation: 3-4-3
GK: Akane Okuma (Aston Villa)
DEF: Grace Fisk (Liverpool)
DEF: Jemma Purfield (Newcastle)
DEF: Asmita Ale (Leicester)
MID: Georgia Stanway (Arsenal)
MID: Katy Watson (Sunderland)
MID: Ellie Brazil (Southampton)
MID: Signe Gaupset (Tottenham)
FWD: Khadija Shaw (Manchester City)
FWD: Kirsty Hanson (Tottenham)
FWD: Vivien Endemann (Liverpool)
Player of the Week: Grace Fisk
Fisk was the standout performer of the opening weekend, combining two goals with an extraordinary 99.1% passing accuracy. Her 21 Fantasy points made her the highest scorer of MW1.
Matchweek 2 Preview
Matchweek 2 presents some enticing fixtures and some important questions.
Can London City do it again?
London City travel to West Ham after beating Manchester United on the opening night. West Ham now face one of the most intriguing attacking units in the league, and London City will be looking to prove that their summer investment is more than just a collection of big names.
Can Chelsea bounce back?
Chelsea travel to Manchester United looking for their first win of the season. Lauren James scored 13 fantasy points despite the draw against Villa. She remains a reliable fantasy option moving into this matchweek and can prove to be Chelsea’s key to success. United, on the other hand, will be looking for a response after their opening-day defeat.
Who can stop Manchester City?
City travel to Aston Villa after beating Birmingham 3-1, with Shaw already off the mark with two goals. Villa will have the confidence following their draw against Chelsea, but City will expect to control the game. Bunny Shaw once again presents as an obvious captaincy candidate. While she is the most expensive player in the game at £12.5m, her opening-weekend brace demonstrated why she can justify the investment.
In the WSL2, Sunderland travel to newly promoted Burnley after their 4-1 opening-day win. Watson costs just £6.5m and may be one of the week’s best differentials. Newcastle travel to Bristol City, with goalkeeper Anna Tamminen another intriguing option after keeping a clean sheet in Matchweek 1. Southampton host Ipswich, giving Ellie Brazil another opportunity after her 14-point opening weekend.
The lesson from Matchweek 1 is clear, WSL2 players are not just cheap fillers. They can be genuine fantasy difference makers.
Ones to Watch
WSL
Lisa Baum, Midfielder, £6.5m (Arsenal)
Baum could be one of the more exciting young players to emerge this season. The 19-year-old winger scored the only goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Brighton on her WSL debut. Baum was substituted after 63 minutes, however, that was enough time for her to rack up 2 shots on target, 19 accurate passes, 10 touches in the opposition box, and score the match’s lone goal. Baum walked away with 10 points, and at £6.5m and only 5% owned, she could make an excellent differential addition to your fantasy team. Arsenal also have a favourable home fixture this weekend against Crystal Palace, followed by a Manchester United side who struggled to find their footing in Matchweek 1.
Vivien Endemann, Forward, £6m (Liverpool)
Endemann could hardly have asked for a better WSL debut. The German forward scored and assisted in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Charlton, immediately looking like the kind of attacking player who can make a difference in this Liverpool side. Earning 14 points, which includes 2 points for 10 attacking actions, she has already shown that she does not need a full 90 minutes to influence a game, and her pace and movement should make her particularly interesting as Liverpool take on Tottenham this weekend.
Lexi Lloyd-Smith, Midfielder, £7m (Crystal Palace)
Lloyd-Smith is another player who caught people’s eye, scoring the winner against Everton after making the step up from WSL2. She has the versatility to play as both a winger and striker and showed last season that she can be a consistent goal threat. However, this may be more of a watchlist week than a Fantasy selection week: Palace face Arsenal, one of the strongest sides in the league, so there may be better fixtures elsewhere.
WSL2
Kathleen McGovern, Forward, £6.5m (Newcastle)
Newcastle’s impressive opening-day win also provided a glimpse of what Kathleen McGovern could offer this season. The forward played 77 minutes in Newcastle’s 2-0 victory over Wolves and registered an assist, immediately contributing to a side that controlled 70% possession. With Newcastle travelling to Bristol City this weekend, McGovern has another opportunity to build on a promising debut and could be an interesting option for Fantasy managers looking beyond the more obvious WSL2 names.
Tuva Espås, Forward, £5.5m (Nottingham Forest)
Forest dominated possession against Ipswich in their opening game, but needed a late goal from Megan Hornby to rescue a point. That makes Espås an interesting player to watch as Forest look to turn their possession into more goals. The Norwegian striker arrives from Vålerenga with Champions League experience and five goals in 14 games this season before making the move to England. Forest host Watford this weekend, giving Espås another chance to make her mark.
The opening weekend suggested that there is plenty of talent outside the usual Fantasy heavy-hitters. While there are some names we expect to see in everyone’s team, there are plenty of other players worth monitoring. Matchweek 1 gave us plenty to think about. Whether your team is off to a flying start or you’re already looking to make up some ground, Matchweek 2 brings another opportunity to get it right.
Happy picking!
