After a short break of a few weeks, WSL Fantasy returns with Gameweek 17 on the horizon.
As usual, we’ve asked our expert @Schurrle_FWSL to share his latest team ahead of the deadline. In this article, he reveals the squad he’s backing this week, along with the thinking behind his key picks.
I want to start this week’s team reveal with a special shoutout to the team behind Aerial Fantasy. As many of you will have seen, the 2025/26 season will be the final year of their WSL game. That’s a huge shame for the community.
The team at Even Sports, who founded and ran the game, deserve massive credit for the work they’ve put in over the years. Running a free, fan-built fantasy game and keeping it engaging takes serious dedication.
The impact on women’s football in England has been huge, with the game reaching more than 30,000 users at its peak. It will definitely be missed. Without it, I wouldn’t be here revealing my team every week.
The WSL returns this weekend after another three-week break. I scored 74 points in Gameweek 16, which unfortunately wasn’t enough for a green arrow.
The big talking point from that round was the postponement of Brighton vs Arsenal, which now gives us another Double Gameweek later in the season. With six rounds left to navigate, including two doubles, here’s how I’m currently lining up for Gameweek 17.
TEAM REVEAL
GOALKEEPERS
My experience with visionary goalkeepers has completely flipped since the winter break. In the first half of the season, my keepers only returned twice. Since the new year, they’ve unlocked visionary points in four of the last five Gameweeks.
Because of that run, I’m happy to keep things exactly as they are. Jennifer Falk stays in goal this week as Liverpool face a Leicester side that have scored just twice in their last eight matches.
DEFENDERS
Last week finally brought the attacking return I’d been waiting for from Maya Le Tissier. Her late free-kick against London City found Millie Turner, which helped secure the win. Returns since the start of the year have felt a bit underwhelming, but an eight-point score despite conceding shows the upside a defender on set pieces and penalties can bring. With a trip to West Ham up next, I’m happy to keep backing her.
There’s more uncertainty around Anna Sandberg. She missed the previous Gameweek with a meniscus tear and looks likely to miss this one as well. If that happens, my preferred move is bringing in Tottenham’s Julie Blakstad (6.0m). She’s played much further forward than expected since joining Spurs and should replace Amanda Nildén, who sits out through suspension.
Jade Rose looks like an easy hold this week. Her minutes remain strong and Manchester City continue to post excellent expected goals conceded numbers.
Ideally, Alice Bergström would also stay in my team. Since arriving in the WSL in January, she has mostly played as a right winger for Liverpool. Facing a Leicester side sitting bottom could suit her perfectly, especially with her visionary status.
Unfortunately, a surprise benching in Gameweek 15 and an injury in the first half of Gameweek 16 have created doubts around her minutes. I’ll wait to hear from Gareth Taylor in the press conference before making a final call.
Ellie Carpenter drops to the bench this week as she’s away with Australia at the Asia Cup. If Alice Bergström gets ruled out, a switch to fellow Chelsea defender Veerle Buurman (5.0m) could be a fun short-term punt.
MIDFIELDERS
Jess Park continues to outperform her expected goal numbers. She scored another long-range strike in Gameweek 16 and now faces West Ham and Everton in her next two matches. I’m more than happy to keep her until my potential Clean Slate in Gameweek 19.
Last week finally brought the huge return I’d been waiting for from Signe Gaupset. Her goal, assist, bonus points and visionary points added up to a 15-point haul. Tougher fixtures arrive after this round, so this could be her final week in my squad before I make room for Kirsty Hanson. Even so, her visionary status means another big score always remains possible.
Mariona Caldentey completes the midfield. Arsenal have two Double Gameweeks still to come, which makes it very likely she stays in my team until the end of the season. She also looks like a strong Triple Captain option in either Gameweek 20 or 21.
Miri Taylor joins Tvedten on the bench this week, with both players facing top-four opponents.
Forwards
Up front, I’m backing my Manchester City strike duo once again. Vivianne Miedema takes the captaincy while Bunny Shaw gets the vice-captaincy.
Aston Villa have struggled badly at the back recently. They conceded seven against Tottenham and four against Liverpool. Manchester City also scored six in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, with Shaw scoring four of them. That’s more than enough reason for me to trust them again this week.
Right now, Viviane Asseyi starts in my team. I could move to a back five instead, or transfer her out for Liverpool forward Beata Olsson (6.6m). For the moment, I’m holding off. Like Alice Bergström, it’s still unclear how likely she is to start after returning from injury.
CHIP STRATEGY
The newly announced Double Gameweek has changed my chip strategy slightly. My current plan involves playing the Clean Slate chip in Gameweek 19 so I can triple up on Arsenal assets.
After that, I’ll likely deploy my Triple Captain and Wall chips in back-to-back weeks. I haven’t fully locked in which Gameweek suits each chip yet, but it will probably require a defence-heavy setup when the Clean Slate activates.
Best of luck for Gameweek 17 everyone!
