Fantasy EFL First Drafts for Gameweek 1
Struggling to make a team for the opening round? We brought in some experts to share their Fantasy EFL First Drafts for Gameweek 1.
Our experts talk through their player and team picks, whilst highlighting captaincy and potential chip strategy, so let’s jump straight in.
@FPLEdgeworth
Notes
- I have gone with a 3-2-1 formation, continuing with the strategy in which the majority of players used in the top ranks last season.
- I have two sets of double-ups in Bristol Rovers and Blackpool as they have easier games.
- Oliver Casey is my Captain, as he has the easiest route to points. However, if McGuinness returns well on the Friday night, he’ll become captain.
- My club picks in Notts County and Gillingham are both away from home – trying to take advantage of the extra away points.
@DGriffiths99
Notes
- Chesterfield have a nice home fixture and good chance of a clean sheet. So, I have currently gone with Ryan Boot in goal.
- Luton, Wigan and Bristol Rovers all have a great home fixtures with a decent chance of a clean sheet. Luton’s Mads Anderson is a place holder at the moment as I’m waiting to see the line-up first.
- Colchester’s talisman Jack Payne makes the side as does Salford’s interception maestro Ossama Ashley.
- It was a toss up between Aaron Collins and Yousef Salech, but I have gone with Salech as I prefer his fixture and just feel he could go big.
- The armband is currently on Jason Kerr with Salech VC.
- Cardiff and Chesterfield team picks both look strong as they both play at home against opposition who look like they could struggle this season.
@AirAvangarda
Notes
- Luke Southwood, Gas goalkeeper, faces a Harrogate side that has struggled to score in pre-season and typically parks the bus in away matches. I don’t expect many save points, but a clean sheet looks like a realistic outcome.
- Defence is key, and I’m targeting favourable match-ups. Kerr (Wigan) plays Northampton, while Makosso (Luton) should benefit from a back-three system against newly promoted Wimbledon, who are far from settled.
- Chey Dunkley (Chesterfield) is my current captain pick. He missed most of last season and is flying under the radar despite being one of the best centre-back scorers in the league.
- In midfield and up front, I’m going with safer, high-ownership picks. Molyneux and Payne are both reliable and will benefit from the new rule awarding one point per shot on target, increasing their value further. Both are elite assets.
- Up top, I’ve gone with Salech (Cardiff) as my lone striker and vice captain. Cardiff are one of the more stable sides. I expect them to beat Posh, who’ve overhauled their squad and will likely need time to settle.
- Right now, – I’m backing Cardiff and Chesterfield to win and playing it relatively safe.
You should also check out our Fantasy EFL tab on site. There you can see the best players in each position ahead of the new season and much more!
@FPL_Jack15
Notes
- Boot is my keeper, his team has one of the highest clean sheet chances. So, it feels like the safest way to cover their clean sheet.
- A Luton defender is locked in and Makosso looks like the most nailed defender in that backline and Luton face a weak Wimbledon side.
- Kerr and Taylor (C) joins him. They face Northampton and Harrogate who are also both struggling for goals badly in pre-season (just one goal in five games).
- Payne is my top midfield pick, a high ceiling option. Doughty partners him as a reliable all rounder, with routes to all points from key passes, interceptions and attacking returns.
- Salech is the standout for me up top. He’s facing a weakened Peterborough side and takes my vice captaincy. If he hits 12+ points, I’ll happily use the vice captain trick by switching the captaincy to a non playing keeper to double Salech points total.
- For my club picks, I’ve opted for Chesterfield and Cardiff. Both sides have strong win odds and good attacking fixtures. I’m holding back on Luton as a club picks for now. I feel they’ll be more valuable later in the season.
@Fantasy_Feetzz
Notes
- GK – Matt Macey (Colchester) – After racking up an impressive 225 points last season from 112 saves and 21 clean sheets, Macey has a great fixture for GW1 in Tranmere at home.
- DEF – Will Wright (Swindon) – Tweaks to the points system now require defenders to get four clearances for (+1). With that, I will be looking at more defenders who have the ability to contribute to the attack.
- Will Wright was a constant threat for Swindon last season and finished on seven goals and three assists from defence, whilst clocking up 324 BCT contributions.
- Luke Garbutt (Salford) – This guy is an absolute no brainer. He takes all set pieces for Salford, and was one of the league’s standout performers last season with five goals, three assists and 241 BCT contributions.
- MID – Jack Payne (Colchester) You know what they say: ‘No Payne, No Gain’. I’m backing this fella for a big season, and that starts with GW1. Against a Tranmere side that finished 20th place on a -20 goal difference, Payne is all but guaranteed to pop up with a return.
- MID – Luke Molyneux (Doncaster) – Is there much to say about this guy that hasn’t already been said last season. He was in red hot form last season and the biggest contributor to Doncaster’s title win. Exeter were shaky at best in League One last season, and Molyneux is odds on to benefit from the (+1) for Shots on Target (SOTs) this season.
- MID – Lewis Wing (Reading) – Another reliable performer and on set pieces. Wing had 19 goal contributions last season, whilst also contributing 74 Key Passes (KPs) 48 Interceptions, and 24 SOTs.
- FWD – Aaron Collins (MK Dons) – After a much talked about move from Bolton to MK, Collins has demonstrated his goalscoring ability for his new side in preseason. Collins has the perfect fixture against newly-promoted Oldham at home to endear himself to the MK faithful.
- Team Picks: Both teams have the potential to score big. So, it could be a good opportunity to take the additional goal bonus points on offer for 4+ goals scored.
