Following on from our League One 2025/26 fixture analysis, let’s look at the League Two teams with the most and least advantageous fixtures between Gameweeks 1 and 5, determined on our Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR).

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Fantasy EFL’s dynamic weekly team adjustments, a key difference from FPL, make early fixture analysis critical for gaining a competitive edge in both player and club selections.

Following the League One opener on Friday night, all League Two fixtures kick off at 15:00 on August 2.

The Championship will begin the following weekend, from August 8 to 10. This means the Fantasy EFL game for the Championship will unlock after the opening League One match.

We’ll also highlight potential player targets from these clubs, including new signings, to give you fresh options beyond just last season’s XI.

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BEST OPENING FIVE – LEAGUE TWO

CAMBRIDGE UNITED

The U’s, under the guidance of Neil Harris, are preparing for life in League Two, and have the best opening five Gameweeks, according to our FDR.

The U’s may have finished 23rd in League One with a mere nine wins, but they’re set to enjoy a relatively easy schedule in England’s fourth tier.

Their season starts with a “green” home match against Cheltenham Town, followed by another home fixture in Gameweek 3 against Harrogate Town. Both of these opponents ended last season in the bottom half of League Two.

They have a prime opportunity in Gameweek 5 when they host Newport County. This is their most favourable fixture by far, as Newport’s away form was the worst in the division last season.

Their away games seem less favourable, including trips to Swindon Town and Colchester United, both anticipated to improve this season.

The most concerning fixture, though, is their Gameweek 4 encounter away at Bristol Rovers, another recently relegated team, which could prove pivotal in the promotion battle.

Assets to consider

• James Brophy (M) – the number scored six goals and provided six assists, alongside 32 interceptions on the wing, totalling 196 points.
• Elias Kachunga (F) – the number 10 bagged nine goal contributions in 43, scoring two in two in pre-season so far.
• Michael Morrison (D) – an EFL veteran and club captain, the centre-back made 253 clearances, returning 189 points for his boyhood club.

GRIMSBY TOWN

The Mariners are set for a strong start, with several eye-catching matches on the horizon.

While the very first fixture might not be ideal, they’ll be facing Crawley Town at Blundell Park to kick off their campaign.

Notably, they’ll play three teams who finished in the bottom six last season within their opening six matches, presenting a prime opportunity to build early momentum.

Following this, they’ll hit the road to take on Harrogate, who finished 18th last season, a “green” fixture. This is followed by another home advantage against Newport County, a fixture deemed “dark green”.

Looking ahead to Gameweek 4, the Mariners will travel to face Accrington.

A potentially challenging match against Bristol Rovers (H) awaits in Gameweek 5. However, the advantage of playing at Blundell Park should help soften the blow.

After narrowly missing out on the play-offs by just two points last season, David Artell’s side will look to hit the ground running.

Assets to consider

• Danny Rose (F) – The club’s talisman provided 17 goal contributions in 45, taking 36 SoT.
• Harvey Rodgers (D) – The 28-year-old was the highest scorer for Grimsby, returning at both ends, including 256 clearances and five goal contributions.
• George McEachran (M) – Player of the Season winner, he provided three goal contributions in 44, making 65 interceptions, totalling 224 points.

COLCHESTER UNITED

Danny Cowley’s team fought hard for a play-off spot last season, missing out by just three points. This time, with a strong start to their campaign, they’ll be aiming to be right in contention from the off.

The U’s have back-to-back green fixtures to open the season, taking on Tranmere (H), followed by Oldham (A).

They also face Barnet (A) in Gameweek 5, meaning they’ll have played two of the newly promoted clubs early on.

Double Gameweek 3 presents more of a challenge, with matches against two recently relegated teams: Shrewsbury (A) and Cambridge (H).

Despite this, four of their opening six fixtures are considered winnable.

Assets to consider

• Jack Payne (M) – Club captain, the number 10 provided 22 goal contributions, 12 interceptions, and 94 key passes, scoring 244 points.
• Matt Macey (G) – The number one kept 21 clean sheets in 46, making 112 saves, scoring 225 points, the most in League Two.
• Ellis Iandolo (D) – Highest-scoring asset with 251 points, he returned at both ends, including four goal contributions.

WORST OPENING – LEAGUE TWO

NEWPORT COUNTY

The Exiles are staring down a brutal start to the 2025/26 season. After narrowly avoiding relegation by just seven points last season—finishing 22nd without a win in their final nine games—David Hughes’ side faces the toughest opening fixtures in the league.

They are the only team without a “green” fixture until Gameweek 7.

To make matters worse, they’ll be on the road for two of their early away games against recently relegated sides, Crawley [GW2] and Cambridge [GW5].

Their home schedule offers little respite, with clashes against Notts County, Salford City, and MK Dons—all teams expected to contend for promotion this year.

It’s an undeniably difficult start for the Welsh outfit, especially given their struggles at the end of the last campaign. However, with Hughes now at the helm, they’ll be hoping to show renewed fight and determination from the very first whistle.

Assets to consider

• Matt Baker (D) – The highest-scoring asset last season with 261 points, contributed at both ends, making 278 clearances and scoring four goals in 41.
• Bobby Kamwa (F) – The number seven provided 18 goal contributions in 43 games, taking 26 SoT.
• Jordan Wright (G) – Signed from Grimsby, the keeper kept six shutouts in 34, making 79 saves, scoring 123 points.

CHELTENHAM TOWN

The Robins had a mediocre showing last season, finishing 15th in League Two and conceding a worrying 70 goals – the fourth-highest in the division.

Their upcoming schedule presents an immediate challenge, with three tough opening fixtures: away at Cambridge, home against Chesterfield, and away at MK Dons. All three are expected to contend for promotion, including recently relegated Cambridge.

While the schedule then eases slightly with home games against Bromley and Barnet, a trip to Salford in Gameweek 5 will also be a difficult test.

Despite the tough start, a potential takeover at EV Charger Points Stadium offers a bright outlook for the club’s future.

Assets to consider

• Ethon Archer (M) – 17 goal contributions and 29 interceptions in 46, the winger was their highest scorer with 233 points.
• Jordan Thomas (M) – 14 goal contributions and 24 interceptions in 40, the number 15 scored 195 points.
• Arkell Jude-Boyd (D) – 146 points scored, the attacking wing-back provided seven goal contributions in 34.

HARROGATE TOWN

After a disappointing 18th-place finish last season, where they were among the lowest-scoring teams with just 43 goals, the Sulphurites face a tough start to the new campaign.

Simon Weaver’s side has a mixed bag of opening fixtures, with three of their first six matches expected to be particularly challenging.

They kick off their season with two away games against recently relegated clubs: Bristol Rovers in Gameweek 1 and Cambridge in Gameweek 3. Sandwiched between these difficult fixtures is their first “green” match against Grimsby (H).

Another tough “red” fixture awaits them in Gameweek 4 when they host Chesterfield.

While their home game against Barrow in Gameweek 3 and an away trip to Bromley in Gameweek 6 offer some respite, the overall outlook for Harrogate’s initial run of games is demanding.

Assets to consider

• Anthony O’Connor (D) – Clearance king with 468, the centre-back scored 295 points in 45.
• Bryn Morris (M) – The number 28 provided nine goal contributions and 60 interceptions in 41, scoring 245.
• James Belshaw (G) – The keeper kept 11 shutouts in 45, making 137 saves, totalling 192 points.