Top Picks for Women’s EURO Fantasy Matchday 1
If you’re looking to get ahead in the game, this article covers the top picks for Women’s EURO Fantasy Matchday 1. With team news, fixture difficulty, and player form in mind, we’ve identified the best options to give your squad the strongest possible start.
Whether you’re chasing clean sheets or hunting for attacking returns, these are the standout names to consider ahead of the opening round.
Goalkeepers
Playing in their first ever major tournament, Wales have their work cut out. The EURO’ debutants have been drawn into the ‘Group of Death’ and one of the teams they face is Netherlands. The Dutch side go into the round with good clean sheet potential so Daphne van Domselaar could be a great pick.
Another team with great clean sheet potential in the opening round is Germany. Germany head into the tournament in brilliant defensive form – keeping three clean sheets in the four matches leading up to the tournament. Because of this Ann-Katrin Berger stands out.
There are several other options with potential this week, including Iceland’ Cecilia Runarsdottir who faces Finland, Italy’ Laura Giuliani with her match against Belgium, and Norway’ Celilie Fiskerstrand versus Switzerland.
Defenders
Germany’ standout fixture against Poland in the first round makes them a prime target for defensive assets. The best of the bunch is Giulia Gwinn who takes corners and produced an impressive four assists during her six Nations League matches. Gwinn also bagged one goal and three assists for Bayern in their recent Champions League campaign.
Ona Batlle is another name many within the fantasy community may recognise. Spain’ flying right-back was exceptional for Barcelona last season offensively – hitting a huge eight assists and four goals in just 22 league matches. Batlle has multiple avenues to points, so it’s no surprise she is the highest owned defender in the game currently.
Netherland’s opening fixture against Wales holds huge clean sheet potential for their defensive assets. One of their standout players is right-back Kerstin Casparij. Impressing for Manchester City last season too, Casparij picked up two goals and three assists in the league, displaying her attacking threat.
Several other alternatives catch the eye ahead of Matchday 1. Among them is Iceland’ Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir v Finland, Elena Linari of Italy who clashes with Belgium, and Norway’ Tuva Hansen up against Switzerland.
As well as preparing with our Top Picks for Women’s EURO Fantasy Matchday 1, you should also check out our experts first draft!
Midfielders
Germany were absolutely relentless in their recent Nations League campaign – racking up between 4-6 goals in their last five matches on the bounce. Because of that and their nice fixture against Poland, selecting the exciting Klara Buhl could be wise. Buhl hit a massive seven goals and 14 assists in 22 Bundesliga matches for Bayern last season, and heads into the competition off the back of four assists and one goal in his previous three outings.
Belgium shipped a huge five goals against France recently, which makes picking an Italian midfielder this week a wise move. Of them Manuela Giugliano could be a fantastic selection. The Roma talisman produced 12 goals and five assists in the previous campaign, and registered two assists in her most recent match for country.
Netherlands are regular goal scorers – netting at least two goals in five of their previous seven outings. That form could well continue this week against a ropey Wales backline. Jill Roord stands out among the options. As well as taking corners from both ends of the pitch for country, Roord impressed for Manchester City last season – managing a goal contribution in half of her games.
There appears to be an abundance of excellent midfield options in Matchday 1, including Netherlands’ Danielle van de Donk, Spain’ Alexia Putellas, Norway’ Guro Reiten and Germany’ Laura Freigang.
Forwards
The last time Spain faced Portugal, they ended up winning the game 7-1. Combine that win with their impressive 2-1 victory against England and it is clear adding a Spain attacker this week could be essential. 21-year-old rising star Salma Paralleulo has been catching the eye recently – hitting seven goals and three assists in just 17 league matches for Barcelona.
Leading the relentless German attack is Lea Schuller. Schuller has a fantastic opportunity to return against a weak Poland defence. Schuller is in the form of her life currently and goes into the tie after scoring a huge nine goals in just six outings.
For Germany, Cristiana Girelli leads the attack. The 35-year-old veteran has scored two braces in her previous three matches and amassed a huge 19 goals in Serie A in the previous season for Juventus.
Iceland’ Sveindis Jonsdottir, Netherland’ Vivianne Miedema, Norway’ Caroline Graham and Spain’ Claudia Pina are other fantastic options.
