With eight rounds of WSL Fantasy complete, attention now turns to Matchweek 9.

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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After a low-scoring Matchweek 7, Matchweek 8’s average of 68 points was the second highest of the season. My team scored 84 points, earning me a rare grey arrow and keeping me 22nd in the world.

Matchweek 9 marks a big turning point in the leg, with WSL2 teams returning for the next two weeks. I have the maximum five free transfers available, so here’s how I’m lining up and what I’m planning.

TEAM REVEAL

GOALKEEPERS

Hannah Hampton kept her fifth clean sheet of the WSL campaign against Charlton on Sunday. Chelsea dominated as expected, reinforcing their defensive strength and highlighting Charlton as a team worth targeting.

Hampton faces Everton on Saturday, who have produced the third-lowest xG in the WSL. If she blanks, I can turn to Sophie Baggaley, who faces London City Lionesses on Sunday.

DEFENDERS

Ellie Carpenter delivered her fourth double-digit haul of the season last Matchweek, adding a goal to her impressive returns. Chelsea have three Saturday fixtures remaining in this leg, making her an important part of my team. I’d strongly recommend bringing her in if you don’t already own her.

My Manchester United double-up of Andrea Medina and Maya Le Tissier worked well last week. United kept a clean sheet away at Goodison Park and now face Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Birmingham City. Both defenders look like easy holds for the remainder of the leg.

Natalia Ramos is the first player I’m likely to sell this week. I still like her attacking potential, but Liverpool continue to struggle defensively. They conceded four against West Ham last weekend, while Ramos’ half-time substitution also raises concerns about her minutes. With Arsenal, Brighton and Chelsea up next, selling her looks like a straightforward decision.

I could also move on Leah Williamson, although I’m less certain about that decision. Arsenal’s underlying defensive numbers remain strong, with just 1.0 more xG conceded than league leaders Chelsea. However, they’ve conceded five more goals.

I’d happily keep Williamson for the trip to Liverpool, but I’ll probably sell her before Matchweek 10 against London City.

MIDFIELDERS

Lauren Hemp needs little explanation. The England international averages 10.7 points per game and features in 51% of Fantasy teams.

Manchester City host West Ham this weekend, making Hemp an excellent option. City’s Saturday fixture also gives me the chance to substitute her if she blanks. I’ll likely choose between Hemp and Khadija Shaw for captaincy.

Fran Kirby replaced Lisa Baum last week, and I feel unlucky that she blanked. She registered 0.61 xG+xA, missed a big chance and created another, yet finished with just three points.

I’m happy to keep Kirby for the rest of the leg. Her underlying numbers look excellent, and she remains heavily involved in Brighton’s attack.

Tottenham away presents a difficult challenge, although their defensive numbers offer encouragement. Only Aston Villa and the three promoted teams have conceded more xG than Spurs.

Lauren James came off during the first half against Charlton with what appeared to be a hamstring issue. Sonia Bompastor sounded concerned about the injury after the match, so I expect to sell the Chelsea winger this week.

Daniëlle van de Donk is an easy hold ahead of London City Lionesses’ meeting with Birmingham City. Birmingham have conceded 17 goals in their opening eight league matches, making this an appealing fixture.

Van de Donk’s underlying numbers also remain excellent. She registered 1.43 xG+xA against Manchester City and created three big chances.

Although London City lost that match, they showed they can compete with the strongest teams. I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up with three of their attackers by Matchweek 11.

Océane Hurtré continued her good attacking form against Tottenham, assisting Birmingham’s only goal of the game. She’s already earned 15 attacking action points this season and looks a strong option regardless of the opposition.

With so many appealing midfielders available, I could sell Hurtré this week. However, I don’t think it’s an essential move.

FORWARDS

Like Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw looks essential this week. She’s scored in 12 of her last 13 Manchester City starts and leads the league for xG by a considerable margin. With West Ham visiting on Saturday, she’ll likely be my captain.

Alessia Russo presents a difficult decision this week. She’s returned to form for Arsenal, scoring five goals and providing an assist across her last three matches.

However, WSL2 players are now available again, and Russo’s £11.5m could prove useful elsewhere. This might be the week I sell her. If not, I’ll probably make that move next week instead.

Should I keep Russo, she could also become my Sunday captain if I need another option.

Like Kirby, Olivia Garcia was unlucky not to return last week. She registered four shots worth 0.42 xG but finished with just three points.

I’m happy to keep her as my second or third bench option. However, if I decide to retain Russo, Garcia will likely make way instead.

TRANSFER PLANS

DEFENDERS

If Lauren James misses out, Sandy Baltimore (£7.0m) is my preferred replacement as Chelsea’s third player. She offers similar attacking potential to Ellie Carpenter, operating in much the same role on the opposite wing.

Only one other WSL player has recorded more than Baltimore’s 1.52 xG+xA this season. That makes her difficult to ignore as a defender.

Her minutes remain a slight concern, particularly with Alyssa Thompson competing for her position. However, Chelsea play on Saturday for the next three weeks, allowing me to check their lineups before making decisions.

If Baltimore doesn’t start, Katie McCabe (£6.5m) is another option. The Arsenal defender has created more chances than any other defender this season.

I’m also considering Kaitlyn Torpey (£4.0m). The Newcastle defender looks like one of the strongest options available below £5.0m.

Newcastle face Burnley, who have scored fewer goals than any other WSL2 side. However, WSL2 teams blank again in Matchweek 11.

I’ll probably limit myself to two second-division players, making it difficult to decide who deserves those spots.

MIDFIELDERS

My midfield transfers also depend on whether James misses this weekend. If she does, I’ll replace her with a midfielder from another club.

Beth Lumsden is currently my favourite option. Her 52 points make her the highest-scoring WSL2 player and the 10th-highest scorer overall. That’s particularly impressive considering she’s played two fewer matches than the WSL teams.

If I can’t afford Lumsden, Katy Watson (£6.5m) offers an appealing one-week punt. Sunderland face Durham, who have conceded 20 goals in six WSL2 matches.

I also like Kadidiatou Diani (£7.0m), who averages an impressive 1.22 xG+xA per 90 minutes.

If I bring in Lumsden, I’ll probably replace Hurtré with Diani as well. I like the idea of doubling up on London City’s attack.

FORWARDS

I’m almost certain to buy a forward this week. However, the replacement largely depends on whether I sell Russo or Garcia.

If Russo makes way, Elise Hughes (£7.0m) is my preferred replacement. Only Shaw has accumulated more league xG among Fantasy WSL players than the Sunderland striker.

A meeting with Durham offers Hughes an excellent opportunity to add to her tally.

Alternatively, I could sell Garcia for Martha Thomas (£5.0m). She ranks second in WSL2 for xG and faces a Burnley side still searching for their first win.

With five free transfers available, there are several ways I could approach this week. At the moment, I’m considering two main routes.

Option 1: Sell Russo, Hurtré, James and Ramos. Bring in Hughes, Diani, Lumsden and Baltimore.

Option 2: Sell Garcia, James, Ramos and Williamson. Bring in Thomas, Diani, Torpey and Baltimore.

Of course, with so many decisions to make, I wouldn’t be surprised if another idea comes to mind before the deadline!

Best of luck for Matchweek 9, everybody!