The Friday deadline for Gameweek 26 of Fantasy EFL is closing in. To help fine-tune your squads we have a team reveal, courtesy of… me!
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 your 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.
STARTING SEVEN
GOALKEEPER
Arguably the easiest pick of the week, Burnley’s James Trafford (G) is the standout option between the sticks. The number one has kept seven clean sheets in a row and hauled for me in Double Gameweek 24! He’s kept 19 clean sheets in 28 matches and has only conceded nine goals all season, totalling 172 points. Against Portsmouth (A) and Oxford United (H), both sides in the bottom four for xG, I expect at least one clean sheet, if not two!
DEFENDERS
At the back, Leeds United’s Jayden Bogle (D) is likely to be a template pick and rightly so. The wing-back has three goals (+18) and two assists (+3) in 27 games, totalling 181 points. Averaging 6.7 points and facing 18th-placed Cardiff City (H) and 12th-placed Coventry City (A), I expect at least one clean sheet and attacking returns. With the best home record in the division, conceding only seven goals in 15, a clean sheet banker looks likely against the Bluebirds.
With only 2.4% ownership, Michael Helik (D) of Oxford United has been excellent since his move from Huddersfield. The centre-back has scored 28 points in three games for the U’s, and got on the scoresheet in his second game against Luton Town (H). Unbeaten in eight games, Gary Rowett’s side are on a roll and take on Bristol City (H) and Burnley (A). With the fifth-best home form in the division, I expect returns against the Robins. Although the Clarets will prove a sterner test, their lack of goals recently is encouraging and could see them keep a clean sheet at Turf Moor.
Finally, as a differential pick with 0%, out-of-position Taylor Gardner-Hickman (D) is a great option this week. The 23-year-old has regularly featured at right-wing for the Blues, assisting in his last game against Huddersfield, scoring 13 points for his overall performance. He’s seemingly nailed a spot on the wing and if he plays, offers a nice way into their defence, who haven’t conceded at home since Gameweek 14. They face Rotherham United (H) on Saturday.
MIDFIELDERS
Completing the Burnley double-up, Zian Flemming (M) has hauled for me before and is playing up front for Scott Parker’s side, despite featuring as a midfielder in the game. The Dutchman has six goals (+36) and one assist to his name, including three goals in four games for the Clarets. I’m not totally convinced with this pick, but he offers the best route into the Clarets’ attack.
Partnering him, Dan James (M) of Leeds completes my double-up and has seven goals and seven assists in 23, scoring 127 points. He’s in great form, and hasn’t blanked in four games. As the highest-scoring side in the division, it seems naive to go without one of their attackers. However, James seems most nailed for minutes on the wing as is a set-and-forget option this week.
FORWARD
Finally, as a punt [which needs to be stressed!], Britain’s tallest outfield player makes my side. Although he missed the last game, Kyle Hudlin (F) of Newport County has two matches against 18th-placed Barrow and 24th-placed Morecambe at Rodney Parade. He has five goals and one assist to his name and scored in County’s 1-2 loss against Swindon Town (H) when he last played. Although the Exiles are in terrible form, he could be a fun 0% pick this week.
CLUB PICKS
As I’ve only selected them 2/5 times this season, it’d be poor from me if I didn’t back Leeds United and Burnley this week. They’re first and third in the Championship for good reason and are vying for the automatic promotion spots. The Whites haven’t blanked since Gameweek 17, while the Clarets haven’t blanked since Gameweek 13.
With the fixtures in store, a 40-point haul could be up for grabs if both sides return!
ALTERNATE OPTIONS
If I opt for double Burnley defence, CJ Egan-Riley (D) is averaging a solid 7.2 points and in fantastic form, making him a good swap for Hickman. He hasn’t blanked since Gameweek 20. While he’s currently 19 points behind Maxime Esteve (D), he’s also played five fewer games. Additionally, I’ll consider Tomoki Iwata (M) of Birmingham City. He’s bagged five goals and one assist in 20 appearances and has incredibly low ownership at just 0.1%, making him a real differential. He’s a guaranteed starter for Chris Davies’ side, and known for his ability to rack up interceptions.
Elsewhere, other striker options that tempt me are Leeds’ Manor Solomon (F), Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony (F), Michael Frey (F) of QPR and Coventry City’s Brandon Thomas-Asante (F).