Gameweek 7 in Fantasy EFL is coming up, and the recent Carabao Cup fixtures have provided valuable insights into the form of standout teams and players.
With the 2024/25 campaign well underway, we have seen many impressive performances in both the league and cup, highlighting some strong contenders.
Tuesday’s cup matches delivered a mix of expected and surprising results, with several teams producing emphatic victories that should boost confidence heading into the next round of league fixtures.
HISTORIC SHOOT-OUT
Preston North End managed to pull off a magical victory against Premier League side Fulham on Tuesday night after an astonishing penalty shoot-out. A total of 31 spot-kicks were put in the back of the net out of 34 total strikes!
The newly appointed Paul Heckingbottom has been tasked with turning around the fortunes of the Lilywhites following Ryan Lowe’s shock departure. Heckingbottom’s tenure began with a crucial win against Luton Town in Gameweek 3, alongside a convincing 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough (A). Despite this poor form, they managed to stand face-to-face with Fulham and finish the match 1-1, going into penalties. It was the longest penalty shootout in Carabao Cup history, with the North End goalscorer Ryan Ledson (M) scoring their 16th penalty to win the game after a Timothy Castagne miss. Ledson was their hero, scoring their opener from outside the box before putting away two penalties in the shootout. This was the 27-year-old’s fourth start this season, three of them being in the Carabao Cup.
Heckingbottom fielded an almost entirely different starting XI than in the side’s league matches, even making multiple variations on the side that beat Harrogate Town 5-0 in the previous round. The highly impressive Freddie Woodman (G) was one of the only consistencies, as the Englishman made five vital saves throughout the game and helped the side win the shoot-out.
STUNNING STOKE CITY
Stoke City have had a mediocre start to the league campaign this season, though they have found huge success in their Carabao Cup fixtures. Last night, they fielded a similar starting XI to round two of the competition, when they smashed Middlesbrough 5-0.
The Potters secured a victory over Fleetwood Town, which will certainly continue to give the side more confidence as they look to improve their league record. Rhys Bennett‘s (D) last-minute equaliser for the Cod Army was the first goal the Potters have conceded in the competition thus far.
Their impressive defence, highlighted by Victor Johansson’s (G) penalty heroics, secured Fleetwood Town’s exit after a 1-1 draw. The 26-year-old Swedish goalkeeper saved all but one spot-kick in the shootout. Stoke’s blend of youth and experience proved effective, even without a full-strength squad. Teenage talents Sol Sidibe (M) and Jaden Dixon (D) impressed and are vying for regular starting roles under their rumored new manager, Norwich City’s Narcis Pelach.
SENSATIONAL SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
The Owls are another side that have seen much greater success in the cup than in the league. They sit 20th in the Championship standings despite finding success in the Carabao Cup.
This shaky form did not impact their play last night, as they shut the potent Blackpool offence down to achieve a 1-0 victory away from home. Di’Shon Bernard (D) was the star of the show, with the 23-year-old defender picking up his fifth start of the season and impressing on both ends of the pitch. He scored the only goal of the match to win the game for the Owls. Sheffield Wednesday rested several key players, opting to start Michael Smith (F) alongside Jamal Lowe (F). He was able to pick up an assist, his fourth goal contribution of the season in all competitions. Danny Röhl will likely play a full-strength side in their next fixture, an important league game against Luton Town (H).
YOUTHFUL LEYTON ORIENT OUTCLASSED
The O’s couldn’t continue their heroics from Saturday in the Carabao Cup, losing 3-1 to Brentford (A). Richie Wellens’ side have lost four of their five League One fixtures, scoring just three goals across them. They fielded a much younger side last night, leaving out the likes of star forward Charlie Kelman (F). Youngsters Sonny Perkins (F), Jamie Donley (M) and Zech Obiero (M) headlined the attack instead, though none were able to get anything going against the far superior Premier League side.
The only goal for the O’s came from first-team starter Brandon Cooper (D), as the centre-back managed a close-range goal to open the game in the 11th minute. Facing the highly effective Stockport County (A) next, the O’s will need to sure up their defence against the unbeaten Hatters.
QUIET QUEENS PARK RANGERS [1-2]
The R’s have had a fairly average campaign so far, scoring just seven times and conceding eight in five games, seeing them sit 12th in the Championship standings. They attempted to prove themselves on Tuesday night as they hosted Crystal Palace, but the Premier League side ended up outscoring them two goals to one.
Manager Marti Cifuentes made several squad changes, most notably resting star forward Michael Frey (F) and benching Karamoko Dembele (M), both of whom have contributed to multiple goals this season and have been incredibly valuable in attack. Their replacements in attack found little luck, with the only goal coming from regular starter Sam Field (M), who was playing at centre-back. The West London side will look to bounce back against London rivals Millwall (H) in the league on the weekend, who have struggled thus far in the Championship.
RED DEVILS ROLL OVER BARNSLEY
Barnsley’s defensive vulnerabilities were laid bare in their Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester United. While the League One side has been a force to be reckoned with in attack, their inability to keep a clean sheet has proven to be their Achilles heel.
The Tykes were utterly humiliated, conceding seven goals without scoring. The Red Devils’ attack ran riot, with three players netting braces. While the Tykes rested some key players, including star midfielder Davis Keillor-Dunn (M), their performance was one to forget, highlighted by their lacklustre 0.07xG. The Tykes will look to bounce back against struggling Burton Albion (A) this weekend.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Which other clubs and players caught your eye in the EFL? Send us your thoughts via #fantasyefl (x.com/FEFLOfficial) or email: fantasyefl@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk
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