Although we’re in the midst of Gameweek 18, Fantasy EFL managers are looking ahead to Gameweek 19, which sees all EFL sides feature in the first week without a Double since Gameweek 14. Here, we have our Gameweek 19 Scout Squad ready and prepped to give you a head start on your selections.

Haven’t joined Fantasy EFL yet? Don’t miss out! It’s completely free to play and there are fantastic prizes up for grabs.

Our complete guide to Fantasy EFL is a good starting point. Packed with rules, points, strategy tips, transfers, and more, it’ll get you ready for action. Plus, stay tuned for fresh content that we’re creating on the official EFL site and weekly Fantasy EFL Gameweek guides.

THE FANTASY EFL SCOUT SQUAD

Here, our resident EFL experts – Lewis, Scott, Louis [FPLReactions] and Sam H – get the chance to nominate a 12-man and four-team longlist for the upcoming Gameweek.

Our panel of experts share their Fantasy EFL Gameweek 18 Scout Picks. With no player prices or budgets to worry about, they’ve each selected:

• Three goalkeepers (GKs)
• Three defenders (DEFs)
• Three midfielders (MIDs)
• Three forwards (FWDs)
• Four winning teams

LEWIS SAID…

GOALKEEPERS

Sheffield United’s Michael Cooper (G) is the standout between the sticks. They host Plymouth Argyle who have been dire away from home, scoring two and conceding 27 in 10 games. A lockout looks likely for the number one.

If I opt out, Charlton’s Ashley Maynard-Brewer (G) or Fleetwood’s David Harrington (G) would be my next shout. The former has been solid for the Addicks, keeping two clean sheets in five games, banking 22 points. They face Mansfield Town, a side that has lost five on the spin. Whereas, Harrington faces Accrington Stanley, scorers in five consecutive games but without a win since Gameweek 14.

DEFENDERS

Wrexham’s Max Cleworth (D) is a lock for me. The centre-back has banked 125 points at an average rate of 8.3, boosted by four goals an assist. They’ve kept four consecutive clean sheets and face Cambridge United.

Back to the Blades, Harry Souttar (D) seems a great punt given his consistent defensive contributions. If I feel brave, I’ll back Leyton Orient’s Tom James (D) too. The wing-back has successive double-digit hauls alongside two goals and three assists. Opponents Burton Albion sit 23rd and have only scored three goals in five games.

MIDFIELDERS

In midfield, I feel set on Huddersfield’s Ben Wiles (M), MK Dons’ Alex Gilbey (M) and Cheltenham Town’s Ethon Archer (M). Wiles has six goals and four assists, being the highest offensive contributor for the Terriers. I expect them to beat Lincoln at home comfortably.

Equally, Gilbey has been electric for the Dons, scoring nine and providing one assist, totalling 115 points. They host Gillingham and, with hauls in his previous seven games, it seems inevitable he’ll produce again. As for Archer, facing the joint-worst team in the EFL – Morecambe – makes returns look likely for the winger with 10 attacking contributions to his name. A midfield trio could be crucial this week.

FORWARDS

Up top, Birmingham City’s Jay Stansfield (F) looks a great shout ahead of their home match against Bristol Rovers. League One’s record signing has nine goals and two assists in 12, scoring in five consecutive games.

Equally, Nathan Lowe (F) has been on fire for Walsall, scoring nine and assisting five to accumulate 103 points. They host Barrow and I fully expect another haul. Finally, as a punt, Coventry’s Ephron Mason-Clark (F) at home to Hull City, given his upturn in form under Frank Lampard.

GAMEWEEK 19 SCOUT SQUAD: CLUB PICKS

Based on form and fixtures, Wycombe Wanderers and Sheffield United stand out for me. The Chairboys are unbeaten in 16 and travel to 24th-placed Shrewsbury Town, with the upside of 11 points up for grabs. Equally, I can’t see Plymouth posing a threat at Bramall Lane.

Other teams of interest include Cheltenham Town, whose record against Morecambe is strong and I expect at least seven Fantasy points from them. And Leyton Orient, as they look nailed on to beat Burton considering the Brewers have only won once on the road from eight attempts.

SAM H SAID…

GOALKEEPERS

My three stoppers are Sheffield United’s Micheal Cooper (G), Blackburn’s Aynsley Pears (G) and Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson (G). All three have provided some excellent displays this season, where favourable Gameweek 19 fixtures are coming.

The most likely pick of them all will be the Blades’ number one, Cooper, who is set to feature against Plymouth Argyle. Considering the Pilgrims’ recent form, a clean sheet looks fairly nailed.

DEFENDERS

Defensive giant Harry Souttar (D) also plays for the Championship leaders, registering multiple double-digit displays this season and with a great set-up to get another one here. Controversially, I’ve then opted for a Wrexham double-up featuring both Eoghan O’Connell (D) and Max Cleworth (D). The Red Dragons host Cambridge United at the Racecourse Ground and have a great chance of securing a clean sheet return (+5). Additionally, both offer an attacking threat.

MIDFIELDERS

The trio here are Gustavo Hamer (M), Giorgi Chakvetadze (M) and Finn Azaz (M). All three midfielders have made huge impacts for their sides – especially Azaz in recent weeks. This midfield trio is also based on appealing fixtures, meaning there is a great chance to get amongst the goals and assists, which we have seen on a regular basis from these three so far.

FORWARDS

The three players leading the line in my scout squad are Jay Stansfield (F), Andy Cook (F) and Nathan Lowe (F). They’ve been prolific for their sides, with Stansfield on nine goals (+45) and two assists (+6), Cook managing ten goals (+50) and Lowe racking up nine goals (+45) and five assists (+15). With winnable fixtures fast approaching, I believe a healthy haul could be provided by all three of these assets.

GAMEWEEK 18 SCOUT SQUAD: CLUB PICKS

The club picks echo the above player choices, with Sheffield United, Wrexham, Blackburn Rovers and Bradford City the sides I’m backing. The first two have winnable matches against sides battling relegation, while Blackburn are in good form and have a Luton Town opponent that is struggling to find consistency in this Championship campaign.

LOUIS [FPLREACTIONS] SAID…

GOALKEEPERS

Based on how good Sheffield United have been this season defensively, Michael Cooper (G) appears to be the standout goalkeeper option this week. Elsewhere, injuries between the sticks mean Mark Howard (G) will continue to start for Wrexham, who are one of the best home teams across all three leagues defensively. Selecting them against 22nd-place Cambridge makes sense.

Other than that, there aren’t many convincing options, so I’ve opted for Tommy Simkin (G). He features at a Walsall side sitting in first place in League Two and faces Barrow, scorer of just 17 goals this season.

DEFENDERS

Another pick for Max Cleworth (D), as he could be essential this week, taking Wrexham’s five successive clean sheets in all competitions into account. He has produced four goals already and looks difficults to exclude.

It’s top versus bottom in League One this week as Wycombe clash with Shrewsbury. The Chairboys’ centre-back Joe Low (D) continues to impress. As well as clean sheet potential, he’s scored three times in his last five outings.

Another interesting consideration comes from Walsall as the League Two table-toppers welcome Barrow. Irishman David Okagbue (D) catches the eye because, as well as scoring once and assisting three othere, he’s averaged five clearances per game, displaying that he has multiple routes to points.

MIDFIELDERS

In midfield, it feels like there’s a shortage of exciting and viable options. However, one player who could be a shoo-in is Ethon Archer (M). Cheltenham clash with Morecambe – the side that has shipped more goals than anyone else in League Two. Archer has been Cheltenham’s most successful attacker – accumulating five goals and four assists.

Taking into account Gillingham’s recent defensive form and the fact that MK Dons play at home, Alex Gilbey (M) comes to mind. Six goals in his latest five is some exceptional form.

Scoring two-to-four goals in five of their last six matches, Leeds United are gathering some attacking momentum. Of their players, it’s Dan James (M) who appears to be most reliable in terms of game time. The Welshman goes into his away meeting with Preston having scored in his latest game.

FORWARDS

Whereas there are plenty of forwards to choose from and one who seems essential is Jay Stansfield (F). Birmingham have scored at least twice in each of their last five matches and Stansfield has converted four of them.

I’m expecting goals from Wallsall this week as they meet an out-of-sorts Barrow. Spearheading their attack is, of course, Nathan Lowe (F). And Swindon have already conceded a huge 33 goals, which could be perfect for Bradford City’s Andy Cook (F). As well as producing four goal contributions in the cup, he’s netted 10 time in the league.

GAMEWEEK 18 SCOUT SQUAD: CLUB PICKS

In terms of team selections, my favourites are Sheffield United and Wrexham. Both are amongst the best-performing home sides across all three divisions. Furthermore, table toppers Wycombe and Walsall have plenty of potential.

SCOTT W SAID…

GOALKEEPERS

I have selected Michael Cooper (G), Aynsley Pears (G) and Mark Howard (G). Cooper’s Blades rank second for home form and host Plymouth, who are bottom of the league for away form. This seems an easy win and a definite clean sheet.

Blackburn have been brilliant lately, keeping four clean sheets on the spin. Their opponents Luton have been struggling for goals, particularly when away. Again, this strikes me as a really good shut-out opportunity. As for Howard – Wrexham’s second-choice keeper – he’s kept one in four consecutive games. They face a Cambridge side that is struggling to score when on the road.

DEFENDERS

At the back, I’m targeting similar teams with Sheffield United and Wrexham represented further by Harry Souttar (D) and Max Cleworth (D). Souttar has been the most consistent Blades defender and is now back from his suspension, whilst Cleworth is comfortably Wrexham’s top scoring one.

Defender number three is Birmingham’s Christoph Klarer (D). Although the team hasn’t been resolute, I do fancy a clean sheet for them against a poor Bristol Rovers outfit. Therefore, with Klarer their top scorer in this position, I think he’s the best pick.

MIDFIELDERS

For me, it’s Alex Gilbey (M), Finn Azaz (M) and Gustavo Hamer (M).

Gilbey has recently been in great form thanks to five goals in four. He’s against a Gillingham side that hasn’t picked up an away clean sheet since October. Meanwhile, Azaz delivered eight attacking returns in three matches before coming up against tricky pair Burnley and Leeds. This week, Millwall at home is a good chance for him to get back to such numbers.

As Sheffield United have that brilliant game at home to Plymouth, I think covering their attack with Hamer is wise. He already has four goals and four assists in 2024/25.

FORWARDS

These three strikers are Jay Stansfield (F), Andy Cook (F) and Tyrese Campbell (F).

Stansfield is finally turning into the player we all expected him to be and scored twice in his most recent game against Barnsley. This time, he’s at home to a poor Bristol Rovers.

Cook is his league’s joint-top scorer with 10 strikes and hosts Swindon. Then, there is Campbell. He has been in fine form, managing five goal contributions in his latest five outings and has the aforementioned Plymouth fixture.

GAMEWEEK 17 SCOUT SQUAD: CLUB PICKS

Although I believe Birmingham and Sheffield United are great picks, I’d rather save them both for Double or Triple Gameweeks. Instead, my selections are Coventry, Wrexham, Colchester and Blackburn.

The Sky Blues have a great fixture versus bottom-of-the-league Hull City and I believe they’ll experience a new manager bounce. As for Wrexham, they’ve been amazing of late, winning four league games without conceding. I expect them to beat visitors Cambridge.

My third pick is Colchester – unbeaten in five and against a Newport County that hasn’t won in that same period. Then, it’s Blackburn. Some outstanding form has them on four Championship wins in a row, conceding only once. Next up is poor travellers Luton, placed 22nd in the away form table.

SIGN UP HERE FOR ALL THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO WIN AT FPL!