Fantasy EFL Double Gameweek 30 has seen 89 goals scored in 32 matches across the three divisions so far.
A reduced schedule saw four clubs blank due to FA Cup commitments – kudos to Preston North End, who defeated Burnley 3-0 (H) and advances to face Aston Villa (H) in the quarter-finals.
Here are the top lessons we’ve learned from Double Gameweek 30’s action. Please note that this will mainly focus on the teams playing twice.
FANTASY EFL DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 30: LEAGUE ONE
Birmingham continue unbeaten run
The Blues are now 12 points clear at the top of League One as they charge towards the title, unbeaten in 18 games. They defeated title rivals Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 in front of their home faithful. The victory means that they’ve won 14 of 17 home games, undefeated at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.
Ryan Allsop (G) provided an assist (+3) to the only goal of the match, keeping his 16th clean sheet in 25 matches. The winning goal came through Taylor Gardner-Hickman (D), who provided a 15-point haul through his efforts, scoring in the first half (+7), making three tackles (+1) and locking in the clean sheet (+5) in just 63 minutes. Blues face seventh-placed Bolton Wanderers (A) on Tuesday, and scored seven points for 4.1%.
Charlton Athletic’s remarkable win
The Addicks recorded their fourth win in five games with a huge 1-2 away victory at London rivals Leyton Orient.
Jordan Brown (D) opened the scoring for the hosts and returned 10 points for very few managers. However, Macaulay Gillesphey (D) stole the show with a 12-point haul for 3.6%. He made seven clearances, three tackles, and scored the equaliser in the 92nd minute. Kayne Ramsay (D) bagged the winner even later and returned 11 points for the second match in a row for 0.1%!
Nathan Jones’ side take on Barnsley (H), and will be hoping to keep up their good form in front of their home faithful.
Huddersfield overcome Stevenage
The Terriers bounced back after two disappointing results with a strong 1-2 away victory at Stevenage. Callum Marshall (F) and Nigel Lonwijk (D) both got on the scoresheet in the first half and banked eight and 12 points respectively. Lonwijk was the highest scorer in the match, and contributed defensively throughout, to help them to their ninth game in 17 on the road. Although 2.9% selected Stevenage captain Carl Piergianni (D), he only returned four points.
They face Wrexham (H) up next, which ended 0-0 in the reverse fixture. Elsewhere, Boro face Cambridge United (A).
Thriller at Oakwell
Barnsley defeated Lincoln City 4-3 at Oakwell Stadium, seeing them on 52 points – four points off the play-offs.
Davis Keillor-Dunn (M), backed in our Scout Picks, scored his 13th goal of the season in 33 matches up top for Barnsley, returning 11 points. Adam Phillips (M) also got on the scoresheet (+6), his 15th attacking return in 27 games. Georgie Gent (D) also scored his first goal of the campaign and banked 10 points – his second double-digit score of the season. Lincoln’s Jovon Makama (F) must be given credit, assisting and scoring (+5) to return 10 points in a 35-minute cameo from the bench!
Barnsley travel to The Valley, while the Imps take on Crawley Town (H).
Wrexham continue promotion hunt
The Red Dragons played out a 0-0 draw with fellow League One play-off hopefuls Bolton Wanderers (H), despite their being 29 total shots shared between the sides!
As expected, all defenders and keepers banked the clean sheet (+5) score and more. Eoghan O’Connell (D) was the standout for 1.2%, making 11 clearances and two blocks to bank 11 points for 0.2%. Bolton’s Josh Dacres-Cogley (D) and William Forrester (D) also returned double-digit scores, but both got booked and would’ve scored 11 without the card.
Wrexham travel to John Smith’s Stadium, while Bolton take on League One leaders Birmingham.
FANTASY EFL DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 30: LEAGUE TWO
AFC Wimbledon disappoint
One of the most unexpected results of the weekend. Unbeaten in 12 and staring at the face of the automatic promotion spots in League Two, London rivals Bromley picked up an impressive 0-1 away victory. 8.8% of managers that selected the Dons were left with a grand total of zero.
The highest-selected players, Matt Stevens (F) with 7.9% and Owen Goodman (G) at 4.9%, both blanked. Ouch! Ryan Johnson (D) kept up his non-blanking run, scoring three points for 2.5%. Carl Jenkinson (D) and Ayodeji Elerewe (D) both returned double digits for the visitors. Notably, Elerewe is without a blank in his nine matches for the Ravens.
Johnnie Jackson’s side will be hoping to bounce back and defeat Morecambe (A), while Bromley face Doncaster Rovers (H).
Donny cruise to victory
Doncaster Rovers made it three wins on the bounce with a 3-0 triumph over Newport County. Rob Street (F) scored a brace (+10) to return 13 points, while Luke Molyneux (M) scored his 12th goal in 33 games, banking 12 points for 14.4%. He also provided seven key passes (+3) and took two shots on target (+1). Jay McGrath (D) also returned 10 points for his efforts.
Donny face Bromley (A), while the Exiles, without a win in three, take on Gillingham (H).
Walsall shocker
Another result very few foresaw. The Sadlers were defeated 0-1 by Swindon Town (H), which saw their lead at the top cut to just four points. Despite this, David Okagbue (D) returned four points for 1.8%, and various others also returned. Taylor Allen (M) took his total to 199 points with a seven-point score. Joel Cotterill (M) scored the winner for the Robins, while Miguel Freckleton (D) returned 12 points for very few managers as the highest scorer in the match.
Mat Sadler’s side face 24th-placed Carlisle United (A), while Swindon take on Salford City (H).
Alassana Jatta rescues point for Notts County
Alassana Jatta (F) scored an 89th-minute equaliser, scoring his 16th goal in 28 matches for the Magpies and helping them to a 2-2 draw at Fleetwood Town. He nailed eight points for 4.9% and has now scored in consecutive games. George Abbott (D) scored and provided the assist, but lost two points due to a yellow card and the goals conceded. Ryan Graydon (F) stole the show, however, scoring a quickfire brace to continue his impressive form.
County take on Barrow (H), while Fleetwood travel to Crewe Alexandra to wrap up their Fantasy EFL Double Gameweek 30.
Sam Gale shines again
Gillingham’s new Fantasy star maintained his top form, and banked 12 points for 0.8% in their 1-0 win over Morecambe. He made five interceptions, and has now registered 26 of those in just nine appearances, taking his total to 72 points. Robbie McKenzie (D) scored the winning goal and helped them to their 10th win of the season, returning 14 points.
The Gills travel to Newport, and many expect Gale to reach at least 20 points. The Shrimps will be hoping to disrupt the Dons’ play-off hopes further.
Bradford’s run continues
The Bantams made it three wins on the spin with a 1-2 away victory at fellow promotion rivals Salford City, banking nine points for 4.1%. After going 1-0 down, Brad Halliday (D) and Michael Mellon (F) popped up with goals. Mellon also provided the assist for Halliday’s effort and returned 11 points. Although expected to keep up his form, Antoni Sarcevic (M) was taken off in the 25th minute with an injury, returning just one point for 1.2%.
They welcome Cheltenham Town to Valley Parade on Tuesday, while Salford, coming off the back of three straight losses, faces Swindon (A).
SINGLE GAMEWEEK HIGHLIGHTS
Coventry City secured their fourth win in a row, beating Oxford United 2-3. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (M) was the standout, nailing 14 points for 0.4%, with attacking and defensive contributions. Ephron Mason-Clark (F) got back on the scoresheet for the first time since Gameweek 21, while Jack Rudoni (M) kept up his top form. Frank Lampard’s side face Stoke City (H) and Derby County (A) in Double Gameweek 30.
Luton Town secured their first win in 13 games, courtesy of a goal from Jordan Clark (M), defeating Portsmouth 1-0 (H). All the defenders profited from the clean sheet, which sees them now just two points behind 21st-placed Hull City. In Double Gameweek 31, the Hatters take on Burnley (A) and Cardiff City (A).
Although Leeds United only drew 1-1 with WBA (H), it takes their unbeaten streak to 17. Junior Firpo (D) scored the opener and now has seven goal contributions in six games, taking his total points to 159.
