Gameweek 3 is fast approaching, and fantasy managers are scrambling to put a team together without any Chelsea and United players. Stuck for ideas? The Scout has got you.
GK & Defence
Ayaka Yamashita and Layzell (Man City)
Picking a goalkeeper for GW3 is simple - target either of two standout defensive fixtures, aim for clean sheets, don't try to read tea leaves and call the shot-heavy games in search of save points and bonus.
Manchester City's new signing Ayaka Yamashita, facing West Ham at home, fits the bill. Plus, there's now some confidence in her actually lining up between the sticks against the Hammers, having kept in both of Man City's WSL games this season. Meanwhile, in addition to those same clean sheet points, Naomi Layzell offers a little extra through her eligibility for visionary points. If you're angling for that Man City clean sheet - and you are - there's security in knowing Layzell need only do her job to get those extra points, rather than play dice with the bonus points gods in backing Alex Greenwood or Laia Aleixandri for a chance at a real haul.
Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Arsenal have the other of two standout defensive fixtures this week - at home to an injury-ridden Everton attack yet to score. Simply, you won't find a better defensive pick for GW 3 than Lotte Wubben-Moy. On top of a strong chance at a clean sheet, she has the best bonus points track record of any Arsenal player. We saw a classic Wubben-Moy 8-pointer last week - clean sheet and two bonus points - and there's every chance of an encore.
Julie Thibaud (Leicester City)
It's a promising defensive game for Leicester City in GW3 - at home to goalless Crystal Palace. Admittedly, the Foxes aren't the most reliable for clean sheets - only two last season - but if there was a game to target for shutout points, it's this one. Straight away, Julie Thibaud is Leicester's most attractive defender for her chances at bonus points - five in all, with two in two games so far this year - and with her eligibility for visionary points, any return gives you a shot at a good score, even without a clean sheet.
Paula Tomàs (Aston Villa)
Against a reinforced Brighton attack, with Aston Villa's defence far from watertight, Paula Tomás' chances at a clean sheet might be even slimmer than Thibaud's. But Villa's lively summer signing offers a key attacking outlet on the left and isn't afraid to pull the trigger - at Villa, she's behind only Rachel Daly for shots in the WSL. Importantly, she's also eligible for visionary points - and this pick is an unabashed bid for a decent score via visionary points. For such an involved attacking player as Tomás, the return needed to deliver those points is well within reach.
Midfielders
Frida Maanum (Arsenal)
Simply put, Arsenal's Frida Maanum is the standout midfield pick this week. Two goals in two games to start the season, at home to struggling Everton this week, frequently lurking in dangerous positions waiting to pounce - the form, fixture, and role are three big checks for Maanum heading into GW3. Don't be caught without her.
Marie Höbinger (Liverpool)
Liverpool are winless and the goals haven't been plentiful, but Marie Höbinger is yet to go home empty handed - a bonus point last week followed an assist on the opening day. It's hardly thrilling, but she's been ticking over, and in a week with fewer quality midfield options than usual, the Austrian's importance to Liverpool's attack and her many avenues to points look especially attractive. That well-rounded scoring will keep you interested throughout, and Höbinger, who scored a late equaliser against Spurs last season, could well produce a healthy score this time.
Janice Cayman (Leicester City)
With the Chelsea and Manchester United blanks, it's a great time to just play the fixture - and Janice Cayman stands out as the midfield pick most capable of maximising the best game this week, at home to promoted Crystal Palace. There's decent upside - four goals last season, joint-second for bonus points at Leicester, including top bonus last week - and the ownership (4%) is low - Cayman could make some solid, unique gains this week.
Forwards
Jutta Rantala (Leicester City)
It's Leicester City's turn to have a crack at leaky Crystal Palace - this is undoubtedly the attacking fixture to target in GW3. Your first port of call should be Jutta Rantala, the Foxes' top scorer last season with a goal to her name this campaign, top accumulator of bonus points, and expert destroyer of lower half sides - nine of her 11 returns last season came against the bottom six. This fixture was made for Rantala - and at just under 3% owned at time of writing, there are some serious unique points to be had from her.
Bunny Shaw (c) (Manchester City)
With a cracking fixture at home to West Ham, don't miss out on Khadija Shaw in GW 3. She's an easy captaincy, an excellent shout for bonus, and importantly, still very much the focal point of Manchester City's attack despite some new arrivals over the summer. This one's easy.
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Given they're home to an Everton side with two defeats from two, some Arsenal attacking cover is vital. After an assist and a tidy 5 points last time, Alessia Russo should be your first target for this one. At 28% owned, there's safety in her if you have her - and real danger if you don't. Shake off any lingering misgivings and back her against Everton - the fixture is too good to swing against Arsenal's main goal-scorer.
As Gameweek 3 approaches, these picks from The Scout could be key to your success. Make sure to set your lineups and get ready for another thrilling week in the Fantasy WSL! Good luck!
Images: Getty