Barcelona’s attacking output, Lyon’s defensive form and Melchie Dumornay’s scoring run define this Matchday 3 WUCL Fantasy Wildcard. The draft also leaves room for late changes: Chelsea’s team sheet and OH Leuven’s defenders could decide several close calls before the deadline.
Joe, the WUCL Fantasy expert behind this selection, is using the Wildcard after a successful Limitless chip in Matchday 2 moved him to just outside the overall top 100. His plan reflects the upcoming fixture runs, while keeping flexibility around players whose starting roles aren’t yet clear.
Barcelona’s attack anchors the midfield
Caroline Graham Hansen (€9.6m), Clàudia Pina (€9.0m) and Ewa Pajor (€10.6m) make up a Barcelona attacking triple-up. The case is straightforward: Graham Hansen and Pina have combined for 32 goal involvements in Barcelona’s first ten matches, while Pajor has added 15 of her own. Together, their season total stands at 47.
That concentration of funds and squad slots carries a rotation risk, especially against Pot 3 opposition, given Barcelona’s depth in attack. Still, the potential return is compelling enough for Joe to own all three rather than try to identify which two will deliver. Graham Hansen is also the leading Thursday captain option if the armband is needed later in the matchday. Joe says he won’t overlook her for captaincy again.
The other midfield picks balance form, underlying numbers and fixture outlook. Klara Bühl (€8.5m) was an immediate Wildcard selection after producing nine goals and seven assists across ten starts for Bayern Munich. Bayern’s next fixtures aren’t especially easy, but her output makes her difficult to leave out.
Clara Mateo (€7.5m) offers a different route. The Paris FC attacker has scored six times in her last seven appearances for club and country. Paris have already played both of their Pot 1 opponents, making their remaining league-phase schedule appealing to Joe. Linda Dallmann (€6.6m) remains an alternative if he opts for a second Bayern midfielder.
Dumornay offers value up front
Melchie Dumornay (€6.6m) is the standout value forward in the draft. The Haitian international has scored 13 goals since the start of September, and Joe expects her form to carry into Europe. At that price, she gives the squad a high-output option without requiring the budget of a premium attacker. She is the likely captain for Wednesday.
Pajor occupies the second forward spot, completing the Barcelona trio. Khadija “Bunny” Shaw (€9.5m) takes the third. Shaw has scored in 14 of her last 17 starts for club and country; Bayern are the only side to have kept her scoreless when she has started this season.
Manchester City face Paris Saint-Germain in Matchday 3, a difficult-looking fixture on paper. Joe is willing to select Shaw ahead of a better stretch of fixtures, taking the chance that she can maintain her scoring run against PSG. The pick brings short-term uncertainty, but the later schedule is part of the appeal.
Defence mixes attacking threat with recovery points
Wendie Renard (€6.0m) and Selma Bacha (€5.0m) give the back line a strong Lyon presence. Renard missed the first two matchdays but made an immediate impact on her return, recording six ball recoveries in just 15 minutes off the bench against Chelsea. She may also retain penalty duties: Lyon have already been awarded five penalties in the league this season.
Bacha is the only defender carried over from Joe’s pre-Wildcard squad. Lyon have gone more than 450 minutes without conceding across all competitions, and Bacha adds attacking potential. She has three assists in six starts for club and country since the beginning of the season.
Chelsea’s defensive double-up pairs Ellie Carpenter (€5.0m) with Veerle Buurman (€4.6m). Carpenter’s attacking positioning has helped her return three goals and an assist in the WSL this season. Buurman offers a points profile built around defensive work: she has scored 19 points in her first two Champions League appearances, with at least nine ball recoveries in each.
There’s a practical advantage to these Chelsea selections: the team plays on Wednesday, giving Joe a chance to see the starting lineup before the deadline. If Carpenter or Buurman is left out, Kadeisha Buchanan (€4.6m) and Nathalie Björn (€4.0m) are alternatives. Björn’s lower price could free up funds elsewhere.
Kim Everaerts (€4.6m) is the draft’s differential defender. OH Leuven finished 12th in last season’s league phase and reached the play-off round. Their 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in Matchday 2 was heavy, but a clean sheet against Roma in their opener showed defensive potential. With Servette and HB Køge next, Joe is backing Leuven to respond. Everaerts remains a placeholder until Wednesday’s lineup; a Paris FC defender is also under consideration.
Low-cost goalkeepers, with one open question
Ayaka Yamashita (€4.0m) and Lena Pauels (€4.0m) form the goalkeeper rotation. Both are first-choice options for Manchester City and Benfica, respectively, and each costs the minimum price. Their fixtures fall on different days across the next three matchdays, while both still have two Pot 3 opponents ahead. That combination gives Joe opportunities to target clean sheets and make a goalkeeper substitution between matchdays.
Mala Grohs (€4.0m), who appears to have taken the starting role at OL Lyonnes, could replace Pauels. For now, Joe is using all three Lyon slots elsewhere, so the Benfica goalkeeper stays in the draft.
Lineups will settle the final calls
The broad structure is set: Barcelona’s three attackers lead the squad, Lyon supplies two defenders, and Dumornay provides a budget-friendly forward with strong recent form. The remaining choices hinge on Wednesday’s team news, especially Chelsea’s midfield and defence and the final selection from OH Leuven.
For an update on broader Fantasy Premier League picks, see FPL Gameweek 9 early Scout Picks: Villa triple-up and Who is close to a ban or suspended in FPL Gameweek 9?. For this WUCL squad, the final team sheets should turn a promising draft into a firmer set of Matchday 3 decisions.
