Featured photo by Leanne, all rights reserved.
In Round 14 of the WSL, it’s a battle of the Top Two in Manchester as Arsenal travel to the Academy Stadium to face Manchester City.
It will be a final farewell to loyal Man City manager Nick Cushing, who departs for New York City after the weekend’s fixture.
Cushing’s City currently resides in top spot with Arsenal hot on their heels with only one goal splitting the two sides with both having 33 points.
The two sides faced each other midweek in the Continental Cup semi final with Arsenal coming out on top, with Arsenal winning 2-1. Goals from Vivianne Miedema and Danielle Van de Donk making Gemma Bonner’s strike only consolation. It was the same story in Round 5 of the WSL campaign as a Miedema strike gave Arsenal the three points at Borehamwood.
Man City will be looking to act revenge on Arsenal this weekend as outgoing manager Nick Cushing hopes for a positive leaving party.
TIME: 14:00 Sunday 2nd February, Academy Stadium, Manchester.
Below we look into the key players for the two sides so far this campaign:
Manchester City
STAR PLAYER – CAROLINE WEIR (MF) – POINTS 168 (£40,000)
The Scottish midfielder has been the stand out player for City this campaign. Currently leading their fantasy scores, Weir will look to continue her great form in order to be in Phil Neville’s Olympic plans. At only £40,000 the midfielder is a steal for any team needing a guaranteed return. She has scored 3 league goals this campaign with four assists.
STAR IN THE SHADOWS – GEMMA BONNER (DF) – POINTS 146 (£22,500)
This section picks out a player flying under the radar, but in the case of City its value for money. At only £22,500, defender Bonner is a fantasy football bargain. Overshadowed by Captain Steph Houghton, Bonner has been doing her job in the shadow. At set plays, Bonner is the main target and after scoring against Arsenal in the Continental Cup midweek, she and City will be looking for vengeance.
RISING STAR – LAUREN HEMP (FW) – POINTS 130 (£22,500)
At only 19, Hemp has cemented her place in the Manchester side’s staring eleven this campaign. Signed from Bristol City, Hemp signed a new contract this season and could be an outsider for Neville’s Olympic selection. Again, lowly priced for a title contending team, Hemp could interest ShePlays managers, with Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and City’s Janine Beckie on international duty this weekend. Hemp has 3 goals and 3 assists in the WSL this term.
UNLIKELY TO PLAY*: Aoife Mannion (ACL), Janine Beckie (International duty), Megan Campbell (Unknown).
Arsenal
STAR PLAYER – VIVIANNE MIEDEMA (FW) – POINTS 202 (£80,000)
A goal against the same opposition midweek put Viv back on the scoresheet after an unusually quiet game in her last WSL appearance. The Dutch striker will be raring to go against City to ruin the Cushing departure party. The WSL top scorer with 14 goals, Miedema will have one eye on the race for the Golden boot already. She has also netted 8 assists this campaign.
STAR IN THE SHADOWS – KATIE MCCABE (FW) – POINTS 96 (£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. A goal in the FA Cup last week, McCabe will hope to bring the form across to the WSL. She was involved in the WSL Cup game in midweek from the start.
RISING STAR – LEAH WILLIAMSON (DF) – POINTS 154 (£45,000)
An ever present in the Arsenal defence, people forget that the defender is still only 22. The youngest regular starter for the Gunners this season, Williamson has racked up points from the back. Her passing out the back style fits Arsenal perfectly, and she can always look an attacking danger on the edge of the box especially from set plays.
UNLIKELY TO PLAY*: Danielle Carter (ACL), Katrine Veje (Foot), Tabea Kemme (Retired), Fran Stenson (Loaned out).
Written by Ben Waite (Follow on Twitter at @etiawneb for regular WSL updates!)
*Please note, all information we have may not be 100% accurate
You can view and updated absence list here and an updated transfer list here.