Fantasy EFL Gameweek 1 Team Reveals

Our Fantasy EFL Gameweek 1 Team Reveals are here, and it’s time to lock in those final decisions before the season kicks off. In this article, we showcase a range of expert team setups, from big at the back to all out attack.

Whether you’re chasing a strong start or looking for smart value, these Gameweek 1 drafts offer insight, strategy, and plenty of inspiration for your opening line-up.

@FPLEdgeworth

Notes

• All of my players are playing at home this week, as the first game is unpredictable. Home advantage should help reduce the unpredictability.
• My captain is Connor Taylor, who should pick up a clean sheet against Harrogate. If Yousef Salech picks up 12+ points, he will get the armband using the vice-captain trick.
• I haven’t chosen any defensive double-ups, as I feel this week will be the hardest to predict, and so I don’t feel it’s worth it.
• My two club picks are playing away from home, which will be a feature of my team selections most weeks this season.

@DGriffiths99

Notes

• Luke Southwood takes the GK spot as Harrogate are poor offensively and struggle away from home.
• I’m currently on the Wigan double up in defence as I like their fixture at home to Northampton.
• Luton’s Mads Anderson makes up the back three this week as I feel Luton are solid defensively and also play at home.
• It’s a tough call with the mids this week. But, I’m going for Jordan Clark who I think will be in the 10 role and on set pieces against a poor Wimbledon side.
• Luke Molyneux currently takes the other mid spot. However, I do like Ossama Ashley as well so that will go down to how I’m feeling on game day.
• Yousef Salech leads the line as he’s looked very dangerous in pre-season and towards the end of last season.
• For club picks I’m on Cardiff and MK dons, playing safe with both solid home fixtures.
• Jason Kerr (C) Yousef Salech (VC).

@AirAvangarda

Notes

• The season is just around the corner, and after days of analysis, it’s time to sum things up and focus on the best available picks.
• My team isn’t locked yet, but this is the setup I currently prefer: GK Colchester’s Macey was one of the best keepers last season and has a favourable matchup against Tranmere, a team that struggles to score away. They narrowly avoided relegation last season and now face one of the promotion favourites.
• DEF: Defenders are crucial in this fantasy format, and I usually go with a 3-2-1 formation. All my picks face unsettled teams that don’t perform well away from home. Kerr (Wigan): My current captain, with over 300 clearances last season. Northampton is a perfect opponent to boost those stats. Andersen (Luton): Expected to start centrally in a back three vs. AFC Wimbledon, who still need time to adapt after promotion. Bilongo (Bristol Rovers): A left-back facing his former club, Harrogate, which gives him extra motivation and insight.
• MID Molyneux: Reliable and consistent, ranked second among all League One and Two midfielders last season in goals, assists, shots on target, and total points. Norwood: Stockport’s set-piece and penalty taker, known for creating key chances. Bolton will be a tough opponent, but his quality stands out.
• FWD Salech (Cardiff) A clinical finisher and one of the league’s top talents.
• Club Picks: I’m currently backing Cardiff and Bristol Rovers, both are strong home favourites against teams that still need time to find form.

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You should also check out our experts top picks in each position ahead of the opening round.

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@FPL_Jack15

Notes

• I’ve chosen Southwood as my keeper to cover the Bristol Rovers defence. With Connor Taylor’s departure looking increasingly likely, Southwood feels like the safest route in. They face a Harrogate side that have struggled in pre season and offered very little going forward.
• In defence, I’ve opted for Andersen over Luton’s more attacking full-back Walters. Andersen plays centrally, which gives him a better chance of picking up defensive actions. Wigan’s Kerr joins him with a strong home fixture who takes the captain’s armband. The third defensive spot is the trickiest this week, I’ve gone with Dunkley from Chesterfield who have a favourable home fixture against Barrow. I’m not fully convinced, this spot will likely change, but options are limited.
• In midfield, my first pick is Fantasy EFL favourite Molyneux. He plays at home against an average Exeter side and will be keen to start the season strongly after recently getting promoted. He’s partnered by Clark, Luton’s number 10, who is likely be on some set pieces following Doughty’s departure. He faces a weakened Wimbledon side who haven’t strengthened much at both ends of the pitch.
• Leading the line is Salech, who takes the vice-captaincy. Cardiff host a weakened Peterborough team, and if he returns 12+ points, I’ll look to use the vice-captain trick.
• I’m backing Cardiff and Chesterfield this week as my two club picks. Both teams are in the top three of the highest win odds this week. I’m deliberately avoiding Luton for now, as I think they’ll be better value later in the season.

@Fantasy_Feetzz

Notes

• GK – Matt Macey (Colchester) – Macey has one of the best fixtures for GW1 in Tranmere at home. The loss of Iandolo in defence to injury isn’t great news. But, I still back Macey for the clean sheet.
• DEFs – Will Wright (Swindon) and Luke Garbutt (Salford) – I’m all in on the attacking upside for defenders this season, now that defenders need an extra Clearance for (+1). Will Wright was a constant threat for Swindon last season and is heavily linked with a move to Liverpool and Arsenal. I fancy Wright for a clean sheet against Walsall. Hopefully he pops up with an attacking contribution too. Garbutt is nailed on as the set piece taker for Salford and his ceiling is ridiculous for points. I think he will be right up there as one of the highest scorers this season.
• MIDs – Luke Molyneux (Doncaster) and Jack Payne (Colchester) – Molyneux seems like the go-to attacking midfielder option for GW1 at a whopping 51.3% ownership. He has a great fixture and always has plenty of routes to points through SOTs, assists and goals. The good news is that Payne is looking like he will be back in time for GW1. If the line-ups suggest otherwise, I’ll pivot to a defensive pick such as Ethan Erhahon or Ossama Ashley. But, with Payne the main man on set pieces and such an attacking threat, I’d get FOMO not owning him against a leaky Tranmere defence.
• FWDs – Yousef Salech (Cardiff) and Aaron Collins (MK Dons) – Salech and Collins are the standout forwards in GW1. Both have quality above the league they find themselves in and face opposition that they can definitely capitalise against with potential for multiple goals.
• Team Picks: I’m looking to grab points in a couple of ways here. MK Dons have the potential to score a lot of goals against newly-promoted Oldham, and teams who score 4+ goals in a game get more points. Port Vale offer an opportunity to pick up those coveted additional away win points, and if they can keep a clean sheet too, it could be an 11-pointer.