Gameweek 26 kicks off on Friday night with a Championship belter under the Ewood Park lights, as Blackburn Rovers host Preston North End. To help get you started, our experts have explained their Scout Squad selections.
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THE FANTASY EFL SCOUT SQUAD
Here, our resident EFL experts – Lewis, Louis (FPLReactions), Scott and new recruit Danny – 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 26 Scout Squad. 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 | SCOTT | FPL REACTIONS | DANNY | |
| GK | James Trafford | James Trafford | James Trafford | James Trafford |
| GK | Aynsley Pears | Jamie Cumming | Aynsley Pears | Illan Meslier |
| GK | Illan Meslier | Illan Meslier | Illan Meslier | Aynsley Pears |
| DEF | CJ Egan-Riley | Maxime Esteve | Maxime Esteve | Jayden Bogle |
| DEF | Jayden Bogle | Jayden Bogle | Jayden Bogle | Maxime Esteve |
| DEF | Michal Helik | Jimmy Dunne | Jamie Stott | Michal Helik |
| MID | Zian Flemming | Cameron Brannagan | Zian Flemming | Zian Flemming |
| MID | Daniel James | Daniel James | Daniel James | Daniel James |
| MID | Tyrhys Dolan | Josh Brownhill | Victor Torp | Jack Rudoni |
| FWD | Makhtar Gueye | Michael Cheek | Michael Cheek | Michael Cheek |
| FWD | Kyle Hudlin | Manor Solomon | Manor Solomon | Makhtar Gueye |
| FWD | Alfie May | Brandon Thomas-Asante | Ellis Simms | Joel Piroe |
| CLUB | Burnley | Burnley | Burnley | Burnley |
| CLUB | Leeds United | Leeds United | Leeds United | Leeds United |
| CLUB | Blackburn Rovers | Queens Park Rangers | Blackburn Rovers | Blackburn Rovers |
| CLUB | Oxford United | Bromley | Salford City | Bromley |
LEWIS SAID….
GOALKEEPERS
The top three highest-scoring goalkeepers that double are under consideration. James Trafford (G), Aynsley Pears (G) and Illan Meslier (G) all have good fixtures.
DEFENDERS
At the back and following suit, Burnley’s CJ Egan-Riley (D) is a standout with 173 points and 0.1% ownership, offering goal threat from set pieces. Similarly – with two goals and three assists – Jayden Bogle (D) is a great option way into Leeds’ defence. Over at Oxford, Michal Helik (D) scored on his debut and has returned in three of three games so far.
MIDFIELDERS
Zian Flemming (M) is for me in Gameweek 24 and Burnley’s out-of-position striker is a standout contender this week. Equally, Daniel James (M) has 14 goal contributions in 23 and has returned in four successive outings. Sam Field (M) is a punt of 0.1% ownership – someone who has tempted me before, an all-rounder with 130 points, two interesting fixtures and decent form.
FORWARDS
Up front, Brandon Thomas-Asante (F) seems nailed under Frank Lampard and has two goals in five games under his new Coventry boss. Although benched last time, tallest striker in the world Kyle Hudlin (F) has five goals and one assist in 20 and is about to play two home matches for Newport County.
Although I’m mainly targeting Double Gameweek assets, it’s hard to overlook Birmingham City players given their form. Therefore, Keshi Anderson (F), Alfie May (F) and Jay Stansfield (F) are all considered, depending on who starts.
GAMEWEEK 26 SCOUT SQUAD: CLUB PICKS
Arguably the most obvious picks this season, Burnley and Leeds are the standouts given their form and fixtures. I’ve also only selected them both twice which is a huge bonus. However, if I opt out, Blackburn are in terrible form but the fixtures are hard to ignore. Elsewhere, unbeaten in eight under Gary Rowett, Oxford United are a great option.
SCOTT SAID….
GOALKEEPERS
James Trafford (G), Illian Meslier (G) and Jamie Cumming (G) are all the standouts for me. Trafford plays in the best defence in the country and plays against a struggling Portsmouth and Oxford at home. Meslier also has a nice double against Cardiff and Coventry and also plays in a good defence.
DEFENDERS
Jayden Bogle (D), Maxime Esteve (D) and Jimmy Dunne (D) are in my thoughts currently. I want some Leeds defensive cover and Bogle is the best and highest-scoring Leeds defender right now. Burnley’s double defence is vital, and Esteve is the most nailed Burnley defender. Dunne has been exceptional for QPR, totalling 183 points for the season, he also has a good double against Millwall and Blackburn.
MIDFIELDERS
Cameron Brannagan (M), Dan James (M) and Josh Brownhill (M). Brannagan is the pick of the Oxford assets for me; he’s managed three goals/assists in his last three. James is a good way into the Leeds attack and they have great fixtures at home to Cardiff and away at Coventry this week. Brownhill has a solid away game at Portsmouth followed by a home clash with Oxford. He also provides goal threat and interceptions.
FORWARDS
Michael Cheek (F), Manor Solomon (F) and Brandon Thomas-Asante (F) are leading the race to lead the line. Cheek has managed 13 goals already this season and with a favourable Gameweek ahead, he seems a good pick. Solomon has been in great form for Leeds, managing four goal contributions in his last four games. Thomas-Asante could be a great pick, with two goals in his last three games.
GAMEWEEK 26 SCOUT SQUAD: CLUB PICKS
Burnley, Leeds, Bromley and QPR are the best options. The Clarets have been solid all season and there is every chance they win their two fixtures this week against Portsmouth and Oxford. Leeds sit top of the league and are unbeaten in 11. Bromley have a decent double against Grimsby and Salford. QPR have a solid double against Millwall and a Blackburn team, coming off three straight losses.
LOUIS SAID…
GOALKEEPERS
Burnley’s fantastic defensive record means goalkeeper James Trafford (G) is a shoo-in. I also think both Leeds’ Illan Meslier (G) and Blackburn’s Aynsley Pears (G) could have good clean sheet potential for their Double Gameweek.
DEFENDERS
My favourite defensive pick this week is Jayden Bogle (D), who has managed three goals and two assists already this season. Maxime Esteve (D) is Burnley’s top asset at the back, so it could be unwise to leave him out. My third defender option is more of a differential. Although a player for Morecambe, Jamie Stott (D) has racked up over 170 clearances this campaign.
MIDFIELDERS
Burnley found their feet offensively in their 5-0 win against Plymouth. Among those goals was the out-of-position Zian Flemming (M). Dan James (M) has also been ever-present in the starting XI for Leeds. The Welshman is their standout midfield option based on his efforts this season. Three consecutive wins for Coventry make them more appealing than they were. As well as creating an assist against Blackburn, Victor Torp (M) also scored a brace in his previous game.
FORWARDS
Up front, there seems to be a lack of convincing forwards with doubles. However, Leeds man Manor Solomon (F) has been brilliant recently. Coventry’s Ellis Simms (F) could also take advantage of his side’s form this week. Completing my picks is Bromley penalty taker Michael Cheek (F).
GAMEWEEK 26 SCOUT SQUAD: CLUB PICKS
Team selections are mostly straightforward, with Burnley and Leeds dominating. I also think both Blackburn and Salford could have some joy for their doubles this week
DANNY SAID…
GOALKEEPERS
In goal, James Trafford (G), Illan Meslier (G) and Aynsley Pears (G) are all in contention for me – all three have a home and away game. Trafford is a solid pick as Burnley have kept clean sheets in their last seven games. Meslier has kept 17 clean sheets this season so he definitely will be one to consider. Pears is another that I like – Blackburn have two games with clean sheet potential, facing mid-table sides.
DEFENDERS
In defence, Jayden Bogle (D) I think could be a solid pick as Leeds have been good at the back, not letting in many goals. He has two goals and three assists. Maxime Esteve (D) is another good idea as Burnley can’t stop keeping clean sheers and he’s good for clearances and blocks. Lastly, Michal Helik (D) has definitely improved Oxford since joining them and offers a goal threat from set pieces.
MIDFIELDERS
In midfield, Zian Flemming (M) has been playing up front for Burnley. Dan James (M) has seven goals and four assists this season, always looking dangerous whenever I watch him. Coventry’s Jack Rudoni (M) is also catching my eye – they’ve won their last three and takes plenty of set-pieces. He has eight assists.
FORWARDS
These seem a little trickier as I want to focus on the doubles. Michael Cheek (F) has 13 Bromley goals and an upcoming double that he could return in at least one of. Blackburn’s Makhtar Gueye (F) has the potential to haul this week and I’m going with Joel Piroe (F). The latter hasn’t been in the best of form of late but I think he can turn his form around in this Leeds double.
GAMEWEEK 26 SCOUT SQUAD: CLUB PICKS
Burnley are in great form, sit third in the Championship table and have two nice matches on the horizon. Yet Leeds top that division, on an unbeaten run of 11 league games.
Meanwhile, Blackburn host Preston and travel to QPR, which are both winnable if they can find the form they were previously in. Lastly, I might take a chance on Bromley. They’re home to Grimsby – without a win in five games – then visit a Salford side that has struggled of late.