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Fantasy WSL: Five Differentials to Consider for Leg Two
Fantasy WSL is back, and managers have been handed a fresh start ahead of Leg Two, with unlimited transfers now available. There is no better time to reinvent your squad, whether you are looking to recover from a difficult opening leg, address injury concerns following the international break or build on an already successful start to the season.
For those looking to climb the rankings, differentials could be the key to gaining ground on your rivals. Meanwhile, with three blank game weeks for WSL2 during this second leg, planning ahead and identifying reliable alternatives will be crucial to maintaining a consistent flow of points.
From overlooked premium options to under-the-radar gems, we have picked out five players you should consider as you rebuild your team.
Paulin Peyraud-Magnin - £4.5m
With just 2% ownership, Paulin Peyraud-Magnin could be an excellent budget-friendly option for managers looking to strengthen their goalkeeping department. Averaging 5.2 points, the Crystal Palace shot-stopper has outperformed all but the likes of Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Hannah Hampton in the position, making her an appealing choice for those seeking a reliable second goalkeeper.
Peyraud-Magnin has already made 24 saves this season, ranking third in the league for saves per match. With stops providing additional points in the game, her ability to deliver returns beyond clean sheets makes her particularly attractive. She was also hugely influential in helping her side keep a clean sheet against Arsenal, demonstrating that she can deliver against even the strongest opposition.
Her upcoming fixture against West Ham is another reason to consider the French keeper. The Hammers have won just once this season and have scored the joint-second lowest number of goals during the opening block of fixtures, giving Peyraud-Magnin a promising opportunity to pick up points. Looking further ahead, fixtures against Brighton and Charlton also offer encouragement, although a meeting with a dominant Chelsea side presents a tougher test.
At just £4.5m, the Palace loanee offers an affordable, long-term option for managers looking to rotate their goalkeepers. Her save potential, favourable upcoming fixtures and proven ability to influence big games make her a strong differential to consider.
Andrea Medina - £5.5m
Manchester United finished the opening leg strongly, and Andrea Medina played an important role in that upturn in form. The defender scored her first goal for the club against West Ham, showcasing the attacking potential that makes her an intriguing option for the second leg. With ownership sitting at just 5%, she could offer managers a valuable differential in defence.
Under Eva Olid, the Spaniard has the potential to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Her advanced role gives her opportunities to get involved in attacking moves, whilst her position in the backline leaves the door open for defensive contributions and returns. Averaging 5.6 points, she’s already shown that she can offer more than just a route to clean-sheet points.
Her next fixture against Charlton is particularly appealing. The newly promoted side are averaging just 0.4 goals per game whilst conceding three, suggesting that United could have opportunities to deliver both attacking and defensive returns. Medina's ability to push forward could make her especially dangerous against a side that has struggled at both ends of the pitch.
There was some concern after the summer signing came off early against Liverpool with what appeared to be an ankle injury. However, she later went on to make her senior international debut for Spain, offering some encouragement regarding her fitness and availability.
Priced at £5.5m, Medina sits in the mid-tier bracket for defenders, but her attacking involvement and relatively low ownership make her an attractive option. If United can carry their strong end-of-leg form into the next block of fixtures, Medina could prove to be a great addition.
Océane Hurtré - £6.0m
Océane Hurtré is quickly becoming one of the standout performers in the league, yet her ownership remains surprisingly low at just 10%. After scoring five goals in five games and being named WSL Player of the Month, the French international has firmly established herself as one of the most exciting options in midfield heading into leg two.
Her numbers make a compelling case for inclusion. Hurtré is averaging an impressive 10.6 points, with only Lauren Hemp averaging more amongst midfielders. She’s also the highest-scoring player in the entire game, having accumulated 53 points so far. For managers looking to make up ground in their mini leagues, those returns are difficult to ignore and potentially risk falling further behind.
Her upcoming fixture against Arsenal might initially seem like a reason to hesitate, but the Gunners have struggled to keep clean sheets this season. If Birmingham are to threaten them going forward, Hurtré is likely to be central to their attacking efforts. She’s already demonstrated her ability to perform against top opposition, having scored on the opening day against Man City.
The international break provided further evidence of her growing influence as she made her international debut for France, scoring and assisting to cap off a successful spell. That form should give managers additional confidence in her ability to carry her performances into the domestic game.
Although Arsenal represents a challenging fixture, Hurtré's form and attacking involvement make her difficult to overlook. With Charlton also coming up after the Arsenal match, she offers both immediate potential and longer-term value. At just 10% ownership, she looks like one of the most appealing differentials available for the second leg.
Kadidiatou Diani - £7.0m
For managers looking to invest in London City’s attacking firepower without following the crowd, Kadidiatou Diani is well worth considering. Priced at £7.0m and owned by just 6% of managers, the French international offers a differential route into one of the league's most dangerous attacking sides.
Diani has averaged 8.5 points, outperforming more popular midfield options such as Alexia Putellas and Danielle van de Donk. Her most recent performance was a reminder of just how explosive she can be, as she recorded 20 points in LCL’s emphatic 6-1 victory over Tottenham. Two goals and an assist helped her dismantle a Spurs defence that had previously looked solid, underlining her potential to deliver huge returns.
Next up is a home fixture against Everton, who have looked vulnerable defensively at times. Diani's pace, technical ability and direct attacking style could cause problems for the visitors, making her an attractive option for managers looking to capitalise on Eder Maestre’s attacking strength.
Whilst Putellas and van de Donk may appear to be more obvious choices, the tricky winger provides an alternative for those seeking to differentiate their squads. With unlimited transfers available, managers can also look beyond the immediate fixture and consider her potential over the longer term.
There is, however, one concern to bear in mind: minutes. LCL have plenty of options out wide, and Diani's game time may not always be guaranteed. However, if she continues to produce attacking returns when given the opportunity, she will be difficult to ignore. At just 6% ownership, she could be a valuable differential for managers willing to take a calculated risk.
Viviane Asseyi - £8.0m
When it comes to selecting forwards, the likes of Bunny Shaw and Alessia Russo are likely to attract plenty of attention, and rightly so. However, Viviane Asseyi deserves a place in the conversation, particularly for managers looking to find an alternative to the most popular upper premium picks.
Despite her £8.0m price tag, Asseyi remains owned by fewer than 10% of managers and has already scored three goals in the opening five games. She’s averaging 5.8 points, has collected four bonus points and has recorded 25 attacking actions, earning an additional four points in the process. Those figures highlight her ability to contribute consistently, even when she’s not finding the back of the net in every game.
Her upcoming run of fixtures also makes her an interesting option. Matches against Crystal Palace, Brighton, Liverpool and Charlton provide several opportunities for attacking returns, although City sit among those fixtures and will offer a much tougher test.
With Ueki currently sidelined through injury, more of the attacking responsibility could fall on Asseyi's shoulders. She’s already demonstrated her goalscoring ability, and only Shaw has accumulated more points than her among WSL forwards. For managers looking beyond the obvious premium choices, Asseyi offers an appealing combination of differential potential and attacking involvement.
However, squad planning will be particularly important during leg two. With WSL2 having no fixtures in Game weeks 6, 8 and 11, managers may need to reconsider their options during those blank weeks. Depending on their squad structure, forwards such as the West Ham star could provide alternatives for the likes of Martha Thomas and Elise Hughes.
At £8.0m, Asseyi is not exactly a budget pick, but her early-season returns and favourable fixtures make her worthy of consideration. With unlimited transfers providing the opportunity to reshape your squad, she could be a worthwhile alternative to the more heavily owned forwards.
A Fresh Start
Unlimited transfers make the start of leg two an ideal opportunity to rethink your Fantasy WSL strategy. Whether you are searching for a budget goalkeeper in Peyraud-Magnin, an attacking defender in Medina, a high-scoring midfield differential in Hurtré, an explosive alternative in Diani or a premium forward in Asseyi, each player offers a different route to gaining an edge over your rivals.
With favourable fixtures, varying ownership levels and the challenge of planning around WSL2's blank game weeks, the key will be balancing immediate returns with long-term potential. Choosing the right differentials could make all the difference as managers begin the second leg with a clean slate.
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