With seven rounds of WSL Fantasy complete, attention now turns to Matchweek 8.

Our expert Joe is back to reveal his latest squad, sharing his planned transfers, key selection decisions and captaincy thoughts ahead of the deadline.

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Matchweek 7 produced the lowest average score of the season so far, and my team certainly felt it. I managed just 57 points, resulting in my first red arrow of the campaign. Thankfully, I only dropped two places.

We have another quick turnaround ahead of Matchweek 8. We’re also approaching the halfway point of the season’s longest leg.

With four free transfers in the bank, here’s how my team currently looks.

TEAM REVEAL

GOALKEEPERS

Last week brought a frustrating swing in goal, with Sophie Baggaley scoring 10 points on my bench while Hannah Hampton managed just two. Both play on Sunday, so I’ll stick with Hampton for Chelsea’s trip to Charlton Athletic. Their opponents have created just 3.5 expected goals (xG) across seven matches.

Thankfully, this is the final week of the leg where my goalkeepers don’t rotate.

DEFENDERS

Ellie Carpenter blanked for the first time this season on Sunday, but scored just six minutes after coming on against Roma in midweek. That performance highlighted her explosive potential once again. Charlton away looks like a fantastic fixture, and I’m hoping Carpenter returns to the starting XI after resting for the first half against Roma. If you don’t own her yet, I’d strongly recommend finding a way to bring her in.

Andrea Medina and Maya Le Tissier are my two Saturday players this week. I fancy their clean sheet chances, with Everton ranking 12th in the WSL for expected goals. Both also have alternative routes to points, which makes them particularly appealing.

Medina has already scored twice for Manchester United from the left wing. Meanwhile, Le Tissier has reached the defensive actions threshold in all seven appearances, earning nine additional points. Medina currently holds my captain’s armband due to her attacking potential. If either player blanks, I can still make substitutions before Sunday’s fixtures.

Natalia Ramos starts on my bench but could come in for either United defender. The Liverpool midfielder continues to play in an advanced role and has earned an attacking actions point in each of her last two matches. She also scored against Aston Villa.

I’m happy to keep Ramos while she continues playing regular minutes in this position. West Ham at home also offers encouraging clean sheet and attacking potential.

Leah Williamson has disappointed since the start of the leg, blanking in Matchweeks 6 and 7. However, I still think she’s a useful substitute, especially with Arsenal facing Aston Villa. Only Charlton have created less xG than Villa this season.

Williamson also rested in midweek, which should improve her chances of starting on Sunday. Choosing between her and Ramos could prove tricky if only one United defender blanks.

MIDFIELDERS

Océane Hurtré recorded 19 attacking actions against Charlton, helping her secure seven points without a goal or assist. Tottenham present a difficult challenge for Birmingham City, but I can’t justify overlooking the game’s highest-scoring player. She’s in incredible form, and her performance this weekend could help me decide whether to keep her for the remainder of the leg.

Lauren Hemp needs little explanation, despite blanking against Manchester United. The England international remains the game’s third-highest scorer, even after missing Manchester City’s fixture against Charlton. She can always produce multiple attacking actions points or deliver a huge haul.

Unless injuries force my hand, Lisa Baum will leave my team this week. I have four free transfers, with the game allowing a maximum of five, so using one now makes sense. Baum has blanked in both previous matchweeks, while her combined 0.47 xG+xA doesn’t convince me to keep her.

I’m considering Fran Kirby (£6.0m), Signe Gaupset (£6.0m), Victoria Pelova (£6.5m) and Ella Toone (£7.0m). Kirby looks like the strongest long-term option on paper. She has favourable fixtures until the end of the leg and averages 0.64 xG+xA per 90 minutes.

However, a one-week punt could make better use of my substitutions. My current setup guarantees that at least one midfielder or forward won’t feature for me this week. I’ll make the final decision closer to the deadline, once Manchester United’s line-up becomes available.

Daniëlle van de Donk continued her impressive run with an assist against Liverpool. I’ve said it before, but she’s the best-value player in the game at £4.5m.

Unfortunately, my current squad structure creates a selection headache. Unless I sign a United or Everton midfielder, I can’t use every midfielder and forward. With Manchester City visiting, Van de Donk could be the unlucky player who misses out.

Lauren James rested completely against Crystal Palace last weekend before playing the first half against Roma in midweek. This is the risk we accept with James. When she starts, she’s one of the best players in the game, but she’s already missed three matches entirely.

After a weekend off and just 45 minutes in midweek, my gut says she’ll start against Charlton. I’m planning to play her and could even give her Sunday’s captaincy. However, making that call without seeing the line-up carries considerable risk.

FORWARDS

Like Hemp, Khadija Shaw barely needs an introduction. Bunny has scored eight goals and supplied one assist in six WSL starts this season.

London City Lionesses have enjoyed a superb start, but they’ve managed just one league clean sheet. Shaw also scored three times against them last season, showing exactly how dangerous she can be. If I don’t feel confident about James starting, Shaw will take my Sunday captaincy.

Alessia Russo finally delivered the haul her underlying numbers suggested she deserved in the North London derby. Admittedly, her returns came through an assist for Georgia Stanway’s wonder goal and a questionable penalty decision. Still, the match confirmed Russo’s penalty-taking responsibilities while Mariona Caldentey remains sidelined.

She also scored a hat-trick against Benfica on Wednesday, breaking the record for the most Women’s Champions League goals by an English player. Russo therefore heads into Matchweek 8 in excellent form.

Olivia Garcia completes my forward line and currently occupies the final spot on my bench. Her underlying numbers remain excellent, with an average of 1.08 xG+xA per 90 minutes. She also appears to have established herself as a regular starter for Brighton.

Deciding whether to bench Garcia or Van de Donk won’t be easy. That dilemma could push me towards a one-week punt on a Manchester United midfielder.

TRANSFER STRATEGY

Despite having four free transfers available, I’m aiming to use just one this week. I like my current squad for Matchweek 8, so there’s little reason to make unnecessary changes.

Rolling three transfers would also put me in a strong position when WSL2 returns for two consecutive matchweeks. Having five free transfers could prove extremely valuable during that period, especially with Newcastle facing Burnley next week.

Best of luck for Matchweek 8, everyone!