Featured photo by Natalie, all rights reserved.
Anfield hosts the first Merseyside derby of the season and its first women’s league game. Everton head into the game as the form team sitting in fifth while Liverpool arrive bottom of the league having only scored once in five games, a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Bristol City. Both sides suffered cup defeats in their last fixtures before the international break as Liverpool fell 2-0 away at Aston Villa and Everton were topped 3-0 at home by Manchester United. Worse news for Everton and ShePlays managers however was the late sending off of Chloe Kelly. The fantasy football point’s leader and league top scorer collected two yellow cards which will result in a domestic suspension, meaning she will miss out on the derby.
TIME: 15:00 Sunday 17th November, Anfield, Liverpool
Below we look into the key players for the two sides so far this campaign:
Liverpool
STAR PLAYER – MELISSA LAWLEY (MF) – POINTS 42 (£35,000)
The biggest attacking threat for Liverpool is a midfielder. Lawley joined from Man City and as the team’s set piece taker, assists and goals are guaranteed. With double figures scored in two of the five game weeks, managers will start to consider the £35,000 that the midfielder is valued at.
STAR IN THE SHADOWS – LEIGHANNE ROBE (DF) – POINTS 22 (£15,000)
A rally of Liverpool players are flying under the radar with around 25 points including Jade Bailey, Becky Jane and Niamh Charles. However, I’ve chosen defender Leighanne Robe on value. At only £15,000 the former Millwall Lioness is in her first season in the top flight. An ever present in the starting lineup coupled with the low cost, Robe will always pick up a handful of points so is a perfect option for a fantasy football bench. Be wary though as the defender likes a tackle and tackles can get fiery on derby day…
RISING STAR – RINSOLA BABAJIDE (FW) – POINTS 11 (£17,500)
Yet to find her feet this season, as well as Liverpool as a whole, the England youth international is tipped for great things by Coach Vicky Jepson. Jepson has challenged the 21 year old to get a goal and an assist in the derby at Anfield. With speed and a cool head, Babajide will hope to up her points tally throughout the season starting on Sunday.
UNLIKELY TO PLAY*: NO KNOWN CONCERNS.
Everton
STAR PLAYER – DANIELLE TURNER (DF) – POINTS 52 (£35,000)
With the games top scorer, Chloe Kelly suspended, we turn to a formidable Everton defence, Everton have recorded three clean sheets in the league so far this campaign and Turner has been a main reason for that. Scoring double figures in three of the five game weeks so far, Turner is a solid option going into the weekend against a Liverpool side who have struggled to score this season. Turner finds herself within the top ten of high scoring players this campaign at number nine with 52 points. Impressive as she is yet to register a goal or an assist!
STAR IN THE SHADOWS – TINJA-RIIKKA KORPELA (GK) – POINTS 48 (£40,000)
When it comes to the shadows, goalkeepers can usually be found. Going around their business out of the limelight is certainly what Korpela has been doing. With three clean sheets so far this campaign, the Finnish goalkeeper is certainly not finished (classic pun!). She is the joint highest scoring goalkeeper with Bristol City’s Sophie Baggaley. Liverpool have only scored one goal all season, a penalty against Bristol City.
RISING STAR – ESME MORGAN (DF) – POINTS 43 (£10,000)
Another young England prospect, Morgan has featured in four of the five game weeks so far. Missing out on round 3, Morgan returned to the Everton lineup and netted her first goal last weekend. The former Man City defender has returned double figures in two of those four game weeks and is a steal at £10,000.
UNLIKELY TO PLAY*: CHLOE KELLY (ONE GAME SUSPENSION), OLIVIA WILSON (MOVED TO BURNLEY), SADIE MITCHELL (MOVED TO FYLDE)
Written by Ben Waite (Follow on Twitter at @etiawneb for regular WSL updates!)
*Please note, all information we have may not be 100% accurate