Fantasy EFL Gameweek 16 saw the first unique Gameweek, as ‘Storm Bert’ saw various EFL matches cancelled across the country! Nevertheless, we still saw stunning goals, unexpected results and sendings off. Here, we’ve got out Scout Notes from the weekend’s action.
A quick reminder that the Gameweek is yet to finish! Aside from the potential postponements, 22 of 24 Championship sides will double, as well as 18 teams in League One and three League Two clubs...
Below, we’ve outlined the most notable actions and points (and the lack thereof…) served up by the clubs that featured in Gameweek 16.
Keep an eye on our updated fixture ticker [free Members access] for the latest news so you never miss out.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Blackburn Rovers vs Portsmouth at 12:30 GMT was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Nevertheless, the remaining 10 matches across the weekend saw 37 goals scored, with one home win, seven draws and three away wins.
MAGNIFICENT MIDDLESBROUGH
Wowee! There was only one place to begin: The Kassam Stadium. Michael Carrick’s side tore Oxford United apart in front of their home faithful, defeating the U’s 2-6 – their first six-goal away win since 1960! The goalfest takes them to 18 goals in five matches.
Emmanuel Latte Lath (F) and Finn Azaz (M) were untouchable, securing 27 and 22-point hauls respectively. The talisman scored a hat-trick (+20) and provided an assist (+3) in just 62 minutes, taking five shots on target (+2). It takes Lath’s tally to seven goals and two assists in 16 appearances. Meanwhile, Azaz now has 51 points in three Gameweeks. The 24-year-old scored two goals (+12) and provided two assists (+6), five key passes (+2) and three shots on target (+1).
Provided their match is on against Blackburn Rovers (H) on Tuesday, the number nine and 20 have the chance to return 30+-point hauls for Fantasy EFL managers. The U’s will be hoping to bounce back against high-fliers Sheffield United (A), a difficult test on the road.
THE CANARIES HOLD THE BAGGIES
Following four scoreless matches for WBA in front of their home faithful, and two goalless matches for Norwich City, they played out a 2-2 draw in the West Midlands.
Emiliano Marcondes (M) wrote the headlines for the visitors on Fantasy. The number 11 scored the equaliser (+6) to level the scoring and made three interceptions (+6) to return 14 points for very few managers. Following Josh Sargent’s (F) injury and a lack of gametime previously, Marcondes is one to target if you’re looking for Norwich differentials. Elsewhere, Mason Holgate (D) secured his first double-digit haul this season since returning on loan from Everton. The centre-back opened the scoring (+7), made two blocks (+1) and two tackles (+1), but conceding two goals saw him drop one point. Finally, Josh Maja (F) of WBA scored his 10th goal of the season (+5) in 16 appearances, taking his total to 93 Fantasy points.
Up next, WBA travel to joint-leaders Sunderland on Tuesday, while Norwich return to Carrow Road to host Luton Town.
MANAGERLESS COVENTRY MATCH THE BLADES
The Sky Blues, guided by interim coach Rhys Carr, secured a late equaliser, drawing 2-2 against Sheffield United (H).
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (M) was having an excellent first half for the visitors. The number 11 banked 13 points, opening the scoring (+6) and providing an assist (+3), alongside one interception (+2) and two key passes (+1). He was taken off at half-time following Anel Ahmedhodzic’s (D) red card, returning -2 points for 14.4% of managers – ouch! Coventry’s Bobby Thomas (D) scored the leveller (+7) in the 80th minute, securing his second double-digit return. The number four also made four clearances (+1) and two blocks (+1).
Popular midfielder Gustavo Hamer (M) provided the assist to Rak-Sakyi’s goal, securing five points for 9.7% of managers, while Callum O’Hare (M) returned to his former club but blanked for 13.3% of managers.
The Blades will hope to make it six games unbeaten when they host Oxford United on Tuesday, while the Sky Blues travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley.
THE CLARETS CONTINUE DEFENSIVE MASTERCLASS
Scott Parker guided Burnley to their 10th clean sheet in 16 games, helping the Clarets secure a 0-1 away victory against Bristol City.
CJ Egan-Riley (D) continued his impressive form, securing his first double-digit haul. The number six made seven clearances (+2) and three tackles (+1) alongside the clean sheet (+5) in their win, taking his total to 78 points. Maxime Esteve (D) and Connor Roberts (D) also secured nine points for defensive contributions. Notably, Esteve became the first Burnley asset to reach 100 points! Jaidon Anthony (F) scored the sole goal (+5) of the match and made three key passes (+1), taking his tally to two goals and two assists in 13 matches. Additionally, club captain Josh Brownhill (M) provided the assist (+3) and made one interception (+2), returning seven points, taking his tally to 99 points.
The Clarets will hope to extend their magnificent defensive record when they face Coventry City (H). Whereas, Liam Manning’s side will be hoping to bounce back as they take on Watford at Vicarage Road, who are yet to lose at home this season.
SWANSEA.COM STADIUM THRILLER
Quiet Sunday afternoon? Not in the EFL! Leeds United scored a last-minute winner to secure a 3-4 win away at Swansea City, returning to the top of the table.
From a Fantasy EFL perspective, Manor Solomon (F) wrote the headlines. The winger scored a brace (+12) and took two shots on target (+1), nailing 13 points for 0% – credit to the very few who selected him! Daniel James (M) secured 11 points, providing a hat-trick of assists (+9) and two key passes (+1) but got booked in the 53rd minute (-1). Substitute Wilfried Gnonto (F) was sensational, scoring the winner (+5) in the 91st minute to record six points for 2.5% of managers. The Italian now has three goals and five assists in 16 appearances for Leeds, totalling 67 points.
Contribution points mean prizes on FEFL, and Swansea’s Matt Grimes (M) is a testament to that. The number eight provided an assist (+3) to the opening goal, made three interceptions (+6) and two key passes (+1), returning 12 points for 0.3% of managers! That’s his first double-digit score, taking his total to 76 points. Furthermore, Harry Darling (D) scored (+7) and made four clearances (+1) but conceded four (-2), while Goncalo Franco (M) made three interceptions (+6) to return eight points.
Leeds United host out-of-sorts Luton Town on Wednesday evening, while Swansea travel to Pride Park Stadium to face Derby County.
League One
With no matches postponed, we saw 26 goals scored across 12 matches, with five home wins, two draws and five away wins.
CHAIRBOYS GO 13 UNBEATEN
We’re running out of superlatives for Matt Bloomfield’s Wycombe Wanderers. The Chairboys secured a 2-3 away victory at Lincoln City.
Joe Low (D) scored the third goal (+7) for the visitors and made five clearances (+1), despite conceding two goals (-1), banking nine points for 0.1% of managers. Fred Onyedinma (M) scored (+6) his fifth goal of the season, banking eight points, while talisman Richard Kone (F) also recorded the same, scoring his ninth goal (+5) in 15 matches and taking two shots on target (+1).
For the hosts, Tendayi Darikwa (D) banked a 17-point haul for 0.1% of managers, scoring a brace (+14), making four clearances (+1), two blocks (+1) and two tackles (+1). However, he did lose two points for one yellow card and three goals conceded. Teammate Ethan Erhahon (M) secured 13 points for five interceptions (+10) and two key passes (+1), banking 21 points in two Gameweeks.
Wycombe will be hoping to make it 14 unbeaten and extend their run at the top when they host Mansfield Town up next, while the Imps travel to second-place Wrexham on Tuesday.
WONDERFUL WREXHAM
The Red Dragons bounced back from their 1-0 defeat against Stockport County (A) with an impressive 3-0 win over Exeter City (H).
Max Cleworth (D) nailed his fourth double-digit haul, scoring the opener (+7) and helping the Red Dragons keep a clean sheet (+5). That takes his total to four goals and one assist in 12 appearances, returning 100 points. Defensive teammate Lewis Brunt (D) returned 10 points with two blocks (+1) and five tackles (+2) in the process. Elsewhere, wing-back James McClean (M) provided an assist, made two interceptions and three key passes, returning 10.
Wrexham look to extend their superior home form, facing Lincoln on Tuesday, while Exeter have possibly the hardest Double Gameweek. They travel to St. Andrew’s to face Birmingham City.
SUPER SHREWS BENEFIT FROM MANAGER BOUNCE
Gareth Ainsworth’s magic touch? Shrewsbury Town defied expectations, defeating high-flying Birmingham City 3-2 in his first game as manager.
We also had some unexpected Fantasy EFL stars in this match. Luca Hoole (M) hauled for 0.1%, banking five interceptions (+10) in their superb win. Tom Bloxham (F) provided an assist and scored to make it 3-1, producing three key passes also, returning 11 points. Aaron Pierre (D) scored the opener and made 11 clearances (+3), but two goals conceded saw him lose one point.
For the visitors, Tomoki Iwata (M) scored his fourth of the season, returning eight points. Meanwhile, League One record signing Jay Stansfield (F) scored from the penalty spot to return eight points for 2.6%.
The Shrews will be hoping to continue their new-found form under Ainsworth as they take on Blackpool (H) in Gameweek 17. Meanwhile, the Blues have the chance to immediately bounce back, but have the difficult task of defeating Exeter (A).
STOCKPORT COUNTY BATTER THE BREWERS
They may not have a Double Gameweek, but the Hatters can’t be ruled out as options. They defeated Burton Albion 0-3 away from home.
Once again, Louie Barry (F) proved his worth on loan from Aston Villa, scoring a brace (+10) in 72 minutes and taking five shots on target (+2) to return 14 points for 6.6% of managers. With 115 points, scoring 13 goals and providing one assist in 17 matches must put him in the running for Player of the Year. Elsewhere, Ethan Pye (D) provided an assist and made two tackles, helping the visitors to a clean sheet. Both Pye and Lewis Bate (M) banked double-digits – Bate opened the scoring and made one interception.
The Hatters take on Birmingham City (A) in Gameweek 17 following their FA Cup match on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Brewers have the chance for redemption in Double Gameweek 16 when they host Charlton Athletic.
ONE TO WATCH – ROYALS WINGER
Harvey Knibbs (F) scored a brace for Reading, helping them secure a 1-2 victory away at Peterborough United. The winger has been in top form, taking his total to four goals and two assists in 12. Overall, the number seven has secured 53 points and with Barnsley (A) up next on Tuesday, could be a top selection for Gameweek 17.
League Two
Three matches were postponed: Bradford City vs Accrington Stanley, Fleetwood Town vs MK Dons and Salford City vs Bromley. Aside from these, 12 goals were scored across eight matches – Bert certainly had an impact this weekend! In total, there were two home wins, two draws and four away wins.
SULPHURITES WIN AT PRIESTFIELD
Harrogate Town maintained their good form with a 1-2 away win at Gillingham.
Anthony O’Connor (D) continued his outstanding form and returned a 15-point masterclass for under 1% of managers! The centre-back scored his first goal of the season, making 16 clearances and three tackles. He took his tally to 118 points in 17 appearances. For the hosts, Timothee Dieng (M) was the only other to return double-digits. He scored the opener and made one interception, taking his tally to three goals and one assist in nine matches.
Gillingham take on Bromley (A) in Gameweek 17, while the Sulphurites will hope to make it three unbeaten away against Salford City.
SADLERS UNBEATEN IN SIX
Walsall secured a 0-1 away victory at The Cherry Red Records Stadium over AFC Wimbledon.
Nathan Lowe (F) has been magnificent for Mat Sadler’s side, scoring the sole goal of the match. The number seven took his tally to eight goals and four assists in 13 matches, totalling 85 points. He’s now the second-top scorer in the division and is averaging 0.7 goals per 90. With Bromley (H) on Tuesday, Lowe has the opportunity to return his third double-digit return for 3.4% of managers.
David Okagbue (D), Donvervon Daniels (D) and Connor Barrett (D) all returned double-digits for their defensive contributions and the clean sheet.
Meanwhile, AFC Wimbledon travel to face Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday.
THE SHRIMPS CLIMB THE TABLE
The poor start continues for Ian Holloway as Swindon Town were defeated 2-3 by Morecambe.
Jamie Slott (D) wrote the headlines for the Shrimps. He opened the scoring, and made seven clearances and two tackles, totalling 11 points. Luke Hendrie (D) provided two assists and nine clearances, seeing them win their third away match this season. Derek Adams’ side are now 23rd and leapfrogged Carlisle United.
Despite the loss, Ryan Delaney (D) nailed 10 points for the Robins levelling the score at 2-2, making five clearances and two blocks.
Up next, Morecambe face Tranmere (A) in Gameweek 17, while Swindon face Colchester (A) in Gameweek 17.
DONNY SCORELESS AGAINST THE CUMBRIANS
Carlisle United kept their fifth clean sheet in 17 games, holding Doncaster Rovers to a 0-0 draw.
For the hosts: Sam Lavelle (D) and John Mellish (D) both returned 11 points for their defensive contributions. Equally, for Donny, Joseph Olowu (D) and Jack Senior (D) returned 11 and 10 points respectively for their efforts. Popular asset Luke Molyneux (M) only returned two points for 13.2% of managers – the search for his next haul continues.
The Cumbrians face Crewe (H) in Gameweek 17, while Donny travel to face Fleetwood (A) in Gameweek 17.
