Featured image by joshjdss, CC BY 2.0
This weekend sees the first North London Derby in the Women’s Super League. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host the inaugural derby game with Arsenal looking to go to the top of the league. Last season’s champions sit in second while Spurs sit sixth, three points behind the Gunners on nine.
TIME: 15:00 Sunday 17th November, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Below we look into the key players for the two sides so far this campaign:
Tottenham Hotspur
STAR PLAYER – KIT GRAHAM (FW) – POINTS 51 (£10,000)
The striker joined Spurs from Charlton Athletic at the beginning of this campaign after making her name in the lower leagues. Fans from the Women’s Premier League have been calling for someone to give the attacker a chance at the top level, and she has taken it with two hands. With two goals last game week, Graham netted 22 points and will be looking to continue her form into the derby this weekend.
STAR IN THE SHADOWS – RACHEL FURNESS (MF) – POINTS 41 (£35,000)
Tottenham’s set piece taker runs under the radar although she has returned attacking points in every game week so far. Playing out wide, the Reading loanee will rack up points through her set pieces including free kicks and penalties. She has one goal so far this campaign, a penalty in Round 2, a week she returned 17 points.
RISING STAR – HANNAH GODFREY (DF) – POINTS 41 (£12,500)
At only £12,500 Godfrey is an option for any manager’s defence. In both Round 2 and Round 3, the 22 year old returned 13 points. Choosing the defender would free up budget for any big name signings but managers would have to be wary that Tottenham’s defence does not seem the strongest. Against Arsenal, however, the WSL newbies will be looking to impress their faithful on the biggest stage of all, their new Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
UNLIKELY TO PLAY*: JESSICA NAZ (ACL), GEMMA DAVISON (ANKLE), ANNA FILBEY (WITHDREW FROM INTERNATIONAL DUTY)
Arsenal
STAR PLAYER – VIVIANNE MIEDEMA (FW) – POINTS 47 (£80,000)
Although not currently Arsenal’s top points scorer this campaign, it’s hard to look past Miedema as Arsenal’s One to Watch. Last year’s top scorer will be experiencing her first North London derby and what better stage than the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium to mark her name in Arsenal folklore. The deadly striker will be looking to up her goal tally of 2 so far this campaign.
STAR IN THE SHADOWS – KATIE MCCABE (FW) – POINTS 47 (£20,000)
For managers with a tighter budget, Mccabe is a brilliant acquisition. Listed as a Forward, the Irish international is utilised in a variety of different positions meaning the chance of defensive returns as well as attacking. Yet to score this campaign, Katie will be looking to open her account in front of North London rivals. Mccabe equals Miedema’s total so far but will save managers £60,000.
RISING STAR – LEAH WILLIAMSON (DF) – POINTS 53 (£45,000)
Amazingly, Williamson still counts as my rising star. Although a lynchpin of the Arsenal defence for the past few years, this is a season that the England International defender can take in her grasp. Off the back of her first international goal for the Lionesses, the defender and childhood Arsenal fan will be itching to get one over their fierce rivals on their home turf. Williamson has returned double figure points in all bar one game week so far, so the 22 year old is a must in any manager’s defence.
UNLIKELY TO PLAY*: TABEA KEMME (MENISCUS TEAR), DANIELLE CARTER (ACL), KATRINE VEJE (FOOT), FRAN STENSON (LOAN TO BLACKBURN), MELISA FILIS (YOUTH TEAM)
Written by Ben Waite (Follow on Twitter at @etiawneb for regular WSL updates!)
*Please note, all information we have may not be 100% accurate