WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6: captain picks and best buys
WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6 preview: best buys, captain picks and differentials
WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6 is the first round back from the international break, and all 14 clubs play, so there is no blank to plan around. The transfers you make before the deadline should not be judged on one weekend. Three clubs have runs over Gameweeks 6-8 that stand clearly above the rest: Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City. The decision this week is how many of your 15 spots go to those three, and which cheaper players fill the gaps around them. The numbers below are our model's projections for Gameweeks 6, 7 and 8, and they may still move before the deadline on 17 October.
Follow along with the full WSL Fantasy player picks table, and check the WSL predicted lineups closer to kick-off. If you missed last week, our WSL Fantasy Gameweek 5 preview covered the round before the break.
Gameweek 6 to 8 fixtures: whose next three gameweeks are worth owning
Chelsea have the best three-gameweek run in the game: [H]TOT → [A]CRY → [A]CHA, worth 8.93 expected goals and 1.51 expected clean sheets. That is the highest total in both columns. The two away games are against teams projected to score less than one goal against them, so these are not hard away trips. Arsenal are close behind with [H]BIC → [A]TOT → [H]AVL (8.36 xG, 1.31 clean sheets). Their home game against Birmingham City is the best single fixture of the gameweek at an 84% win probability. The Tottenham trip in Gameweek 7 is the only real test, and Arsenal are still 65% favourites there.
Manchester City start with [H]BHA → [A]MAN → [A]LCL. The derby at Manchester United in Gameweek 7 is the game to plan around, not a reason to avoid them: it sits between two very good fixtures, and City's three-gameweek total of 6.94 xG is third in the league. Manchester United are the defensive option outside the big three: [A]CHA → [H]MCI → [A]EVE gives them 1.06 expected clean sheets, with the City game in the middle.
At the other end, Charlton ([H]MAN → [A]BIC → [H]CHE) and Crystal Palace ([H]WHU → [H]CHE → [A]BHA) have the weakest runs for clean sheets. Tottenham face Chelsea and Arsenal back to back, which is why their attackers are a Gameweek 8 conversation rather than a Gameweek 6 one.
| Team | GW6 fixture | Win probability | Expected goals | Clean sheet | Program (GW6-8) | 3-GW xG | 3-GW CS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHE | [H]TOT | 77% | 2.72 | 44% | [H]TOT → [A]CRY → [A]CHA | 8.93 | 1.51 |
| ARS | [H]BIC | 84% | 3.01 | 52% | [H]BIC → [A]TOT → [H]AVL | 8.36 | 1.31 |
| MCI | [H]BHA | 77% | 2.80 | 42% | [H]BHA → [A]MAN → [A]LCL | 6.94 | 1.08 |
| MAN | [A]CHA | 67% | 2.06 | 47% | [A]CHA → [H]MCI → [A]EVE | 4.97 | 1.06 |
| LIV | [A]AVL | 38% | 1.48 | 24% | [A]AVL → [H]LCL → [A]WHU | 4.42 | 0.85 |
| BHA | [A]MCI | 8% | 0.87 | 6% | [A]MCI → [H]WHU → [H]CRY | 4.70 | 0.64 |
| WHU | [A]CRY | 43% | 1.76 | 22% | [A]CRY → [A]BHA → [H]LIV | 4.26 | 0.65 |
| EVE | [A]LCL | 32% | 1.17 | 27% | [A]LCL → [H]AVL → [H]MAN | 3.57 | 0.74 |
| TOT | [A]CHE | 8% | 0.82 | 7% | [A]CHE → [H]ARS → [A]BIC | 3.72 | 0.44 |
| LCL | [H]EVE | 39% | 1.31 | 31% | [H]EVE → [A]LIV → [H]MCI | 3.36 | 0.61 |
| BIC | [A]ARS | 5% | 0.65 | 5% | [A]ARS → [H]CHA → [H]TOT | 3.50 | 0.54 |
| AVL | [H]LIV | 36% | 1.44 | 23% | [H]LIV → [A]EVE → [A]ARS | 3.58 | 0.50 |
| CRY | [H]WHU | 33% | 1.52 | 17% | [H]WHU → [H]CHE → [A]BHA | 3.44 | 0.32 |
| CHA | [H]MAN | 12% | 0.76 | 13% | [H]MAN → [A]BIC → [H]CHE | 2.43 | 0.40 |
You can see the full fixture list on the WSL Fantasy schedule, and the bookmaker numbers behind these probabilities on the WSL market probabilities page.
Best goalkeepers for WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6
Hannah Hampton (5.5m, CHE) is the strongest keeper over the next three, with 4.5 → 4.7 → 5.2 xP and a [H]TOT → [A]CRY → [A]CHA program. More than half of managers already own her (54%), so she protects your rank more than she gains it. Her projection rises in Gameweek 8, which makes her a keeper you can hold and stop thinking about.
Anneke Borbe (4.5m, ARS) is the value alternative and a real differential at 2% owned. She projects 4.6 xP this gameweek, slightly more than Hampton, for a million less. Her program is [H]BIC → [A]TOT → [H]AVL, and her trajectory of 4.6 → 4.0 → 4.6 stays steady through the Tottenham trip. If you want another option, Courtney Brosnan (5.0m, EVE) has [A]LCL → [H]AVL → [H]MAN, but she dips to 3.6 for the Manchester United home game in Gameweek 8.
| Player | Team | Price | Owned | GW6 xP | GW6 → GW8 | 3-GW xP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hannah Hampton | CHE | 5.5m | 54% | 4.5 | 4.5 → 4.7 → 5.2 | 14.4 |
| Anneke Borbe | ARS | 4.5m | 2% | 4.6 | 4.6 → 4.0 → 4.6 | 13.2 |
| Courtney Brosnan | EVE | 5.0m | 8% | 4.4 | 4.4 → 4.4 → 3.6 | 12.4 |
| Phallon Tullis-Joyce | MAN | 5.5m | 16% | 4.5 | 4.5 → 3.0 → 4.3 | 11.8 |
Best defenders for WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6
Ellie Carpenter (7.0m, CHE) is the top defender in the game over Gameweeks 6-8, with 5.6 → 5.9 → 5.8 xP (17.3 in total) and Chelsea's [H]TOT → [A]CRY → [A]CHA program. She is the most expensive defender at 7.0m, but no other defender stays above 5.5 xP in all three gameweeks.
Maya Le Tissier (6.0m, MAN) is the other premium worth owning. She is on penalties for Manchester United, and her [A]CHA → [H]MCI → [A]EVE run gives 5.6 → 3.3 → 5.1. The derby dips her in Gameweek 7, but over six gameweeks she is second only to Carpenter among defenders. Andrea Medina (5.5m, MAN) is the cheaper way into the same defence at 5% owned, with 4.7 → 3.0 → 4.5 xP.
The Arsenal defence is where this gameweek and the next three disagree. Leah Williamson and Ona Batlle are the top two defenders this gameweek (5.8 and 5.7 xP against Birmingham City), but both fall to around 3.0 by Gameweek 8. The Arsenal defender to buy is Lotte Wubben-Moy (5.5m, ARS): 5.5 xP this gameweek, 5.5 → 4.3 → 3.7 over the [H]BIC → [A]TOT → [H]AVL run, and only 3% owned. If you are buying one Arsenal defender and keeping her, buy Wubben-Moy.
For value behind City's [H]BHA → [A]MAN → [A]LCL run, Jade Rose (5.5m, MCI) offers 4.3 → 3.1 → 3.6 xP and is owned by only 3% of managers. Grace Fisk (5.0m, LIV) is the best defender at 5.0m, and her Liverpool program [A]AVL → [H]LCL → [A]WHU peaks in Gameweek 7 (4.5 xP).
| Player | Team | Price | Owned | GW6 xP | GW6 → GW8 | 3-GW xP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellie Carpenter | CHE | 7.0m | 31% | 5.6 | 5.6 → 5.9 → 5.8 | 17.3 |
| Maya Le Tissier | MAN | 6.0m | 29% | 5.6 | 5.6 → 3.3 → 5.1 | 14.0 |
| Lotte Wubben-Moy | ARS | 5.5m | 3% | 5.5 | 5.5 → 4.3 → 3.7 | 13.5 |
| Andrea Medina | MAN | 5.5m | 5% | 4.7 | 4.7 → 3.0 → 4.5 | 12.2 |
| Jade Rose | MCI | 5.5m | 3% | 4.3 | 4.3 → 3.1 → 3.6 | 11.0 |
| Grace Fisk | LIV | 5.0m | 16% | 3.7 | 3.7 → 4.5 → 4.0 | 12.2 |
Best midfielders for WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6
Mariona Caldentey (7.5m, ARS) is the best midfielder in the game over the next three, by a clear margin: 7.9 → 6.8 → 6.7 xP, 21.4 in total, on Arsenal's [H]BIC → [A]TOT → [H]AVL program. She is owned by only 19% of managers. If you buy one midfielder this week, this is the one.
Lauren Hemp (8.0m, MCI) is the second most-owned midfielder at 41%, and her 7.8 → 5.6 → 6.4 trajectory justifies it. Beth Mead (7.0m, MCI) gives you nearly the same City exposure for a million less and is owned by only 12% (7.4 → 4.8 → 5.8 xP). Both dip in the Manchester United derby and recover at London City Lionesses in Gameweek 8.
The hidden gems are in the cheaper City and Chelsea midfields. Aoba Fujino (7.0m, MCI) projects 6.2 → 4.2 → 4.6 at just 2% ownership on City's [H]BHA → [A]MAN → [A]LCL run. Wieke Kaptein (5.5m, CHE) is the best budget midfielder: 4.4 → 5.2 → 4.2 on Chelsea's [H]TOT → [A]CRY → [A]CHA run, with her best gameweek still to come in Gameweek 7. Sjoeke Nüsken (6.5m, CHE) offers a similar Chelsea profile at 5.0 → 5.5 → 4.1, also owned by only 2%.
One to watch rather than buy now: Kirsty Hanson (8.0m, TOT) has only 3.2 xP at Chelsea and 4.3 against Arsenal, then jumps to 6.4 and 6.5 in Gameweeks 8 and 9. She is a Gameweek 8 buy, not a Gameweek 6 one.
| Player | Team | Price | Owned | GW6 xP | GW6 → GW8 | 3-GW xP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariona Caldentey | ARS | 7.5m | 19% | 7.9 | 7.9 → 6.8 → 6.7 | 21.4 |
| Lauren Hemp | MCI | 8.0m | 41% | 7.8 | 7.8 → 5.6 → 6.4 | 19.8 |
| Beth Mead | MCI | 7.0m | 12% | 7.4 | 7.4 → 4.8 → 5.8 | 18.0 |
| Aoba Fujino | MCI | 7.0m | 2% | 6.2 | 6.2 → 4.2 → 4.6 | 15.0 |
| Wieke Kaptein | CHE | 5.5m | 2% | 4.4 | 4.4 → 5.2 → 4.2 | 13.8 |
| Sjoeke Nüsken | CHE | 6.5m | 2% | 5.0 | 5.0 → 5.5 → 4.1 | 14.6 |
Best forwards for WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6
Alessia Russo (11.5m, ARS) and Khadija Shaw (12.5m, MCI) are the two premium forwards. Russo has the better three gameweeks: 8.6 → 7.2 → 8.0 xP (23.8 in total) on [H]BIC → [A]TOT → [H]AVL, against Shaw's 8.8 → 6.1 → 7.9 (22.8) on [H]BHA → [A]MAN → [A]LCL. Both take penalties. Shaw is owned by 67%, Russo by 45%. If you only have room for one, Russo's steadier run makes her the one to hold. Shaw's best stretch comes a little later, with 8.8 xP in Gameweek 9.
Viviane Asseyi (8.0m, WHU) is the best forward outside the big two and a penalty taker for West Ham. She projects 6.3 → 4.5 → 4.8 on [A]CRY → [A]BHA → [H]LIV, and the Crystal Palace game this week is her best fixture of the three. She is owned by 9%, so she doubles as a differential.
Kiko Seike (7.0m, BHA) is the buy-early pick. Brighton visit City this week, so her Gameweek 6 projection is low at 2.8. But [A]MCI → [H]WHU → [H]CRY then turns: 2.8 → 5.2 → 6.0, and her three-gameweek total is still fifth among forwards. If you have a spare transfer and can bench her for one week, bring her in before the good run starts. Otherwise, buy her for Gameweek 7.
| Player | Team | Price | Owned | GW6 xP | GW6 → GW8 | 3-GW xP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alessia Russo | ARS | 11.5m | 45% | 8.6 | 8.6 → 7.2 → 8.0 | 23.8 |
| Khadija Shaw | MCI | 12.5m | 67% | 8.8 | 8.8 → 6.1 → 7.9 | 22.8 |
| Viviane Asseyi | WHU | 8.0m | 9% | 6.3 | 6.3 → 4.5 → 4.8 | 15.6 |
| Kiko Seike | BHA | 7.0m | 9% | 2.8 | 2.8 → 5.2 → 6.0 | 14.0 |
| Elisabeth Terland | MAN | 7.0m | 7% | 4.7 | 4.7 → 3.0 → 4.0 | 11.7 |
Best captain picks for WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6
The captain scores double. Khadija Shaw (12.5m, MCI) edges it this gameweek at 8.8 xP against Brighton at home, a fixture where City are 77% favourites with 2.80 expected goals. Alessia Russo (11.5m, ARS) is a near-identical second at 8.6 against Birmingham City, Arsenal's 84% fixture. Mariona Caldentey (7.5m, ARS) (7.9) and Lauren Hemp (8.0m, MCI) (7.8) are the alternatives if you own neither forward.
Plan the next two gameweeks too. Russo is the stronger captain in Gameweek 7 (7.2 at Tottenham against Shaw's 6.1 at Manchester United), and the two are close in Gameweek 8. Owning Russo gives you a top captain option in all three gameweeks.
Who to sell before WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6
Alexia Putellas (8.5m, LCL) is the biggest sell in the game. She is owned by 52% of managers, the third-highest ownership of any player, but projects only 2.6 → 2.2 → 1.8 xP over [H]EVE → [A]LIV → [H]MCI. Everton at home is London City Lionesses' best fixture of the three, at a 39% win probability, and she still projects just 2.6. Why now: the fixtures only get harder from here, and the 8.5m funds a move to Caldentey with money to spare.
Mapi León (5.5m, LCL) follows the same logic in defence. 28% own her, and her projections run 2.4 → 1.8 → 1.1 as London City Lionesses go from Everton to Liverpool and Manchester City. Why now: this week is the best of the three, and she still sits well below Wubben-Moy or Medina at the same price.
Kerstin Casparij (8.0m, MCI) is owned by 33%, but the model has her on about 17 minutes this gameweek and 0.8 → 1.5 → 2.3 xP. City's run is good, but she is not getting the minutes to benefit. Why now: the 8.0m is better used on a City starter such as Jade Rose, plus an upgrade elsewhere, before the run starts.
Vivien Endemann (6.0m, LIV) is another clear sell. 17% of managers own her, but the model projects only around 19 minutes this gameweek and 2.9 → 2.9 → 2.5 xP over [A]AVL → [H]LCL → [A]WHU. Why now: nothing in the next three gameweeks improves her outlook, so there is no reason to wait.
Ona Batlle (6.0m, ARS) and Leah Williamson (5.5m, ARS) are a "sell after this week" call. Birmingham City at home is a very good fixture, and 5.7 and 5.8 xP are strong scores, so hold them through Gameweek 6. Then their projections fall to 2.9 and 3.0 by Gameweek 8. With 35% of managers owning Batlle, Gameweek 7 is the time to move one of them on, ideally to Wubben-Moy if you want to keep the Arsenal defence.
See how the model fits all of this into one squad on the WSL Fantasy optimal teams page, and find every round's article in our WSL Fantasy preview hub.
FAQ
Who should I captain in WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6?
Khadija Shaw is the narrow favourite at 8.8 xP against Brighton at home, with Alessia Russo very close behind at 8.6 against Birmingham City. Russo is the better captain over the next three gameweeks.
Which defenders are best for WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6?
Ellie Carpenter is the best defender over Gameweeks 6-8 with 17.3 xP on Chelsea's [H]TOT → [A]CRY → [A]CHA run. Lotte Wubben-Moy and Andrea Medina are the best cheaper options.
Who are the best differentials for WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6?
Mariona Caldentey, owned by 19%, is the best midfielder in the game over the next three. Aoba Fujino, Wieke Kaptein, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Anneke Borbe are each owned by 5% or less and project well over Gameweeks 6-8.
Should I sell Alexia Putellas before WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6?
Yes. Putellas is owned by 52% but projects only 2.6 → 2.2 → 1.8 xP over [H]EVE → [A]LIV → [H]MCI, and Gameweek 6 is the easiest of those three fixtures. Mariona Caldentey is the better midfielder for less money.
Should I sell Ona Batlle before WSL Fantasy Gameweek 6?
Not yet. Batlle projects 5.7 xP against Birmingham City this gameweek, but she drops to 2.9 by Gameweek 8, so Gameweek 7 is the time to sell her.
This preview was written by TheFantasyTool AI.