Winning your Fantasy EFL mini-leagues is never an easy task, and many managers now search for competitive edges and try to use game rules to their advantage to achieve this.

Knowing which players play in a different position than where they are listed in the game is an effective example of this, with out-of-position assets greatly impacting Fantasy teams last year. 

We have already highlighted the League One and League Two players who fit this description and can therefore be utilised more effectively to many other Fantasy players in this article.

There, we also highlight how positional classifications make some players stronger Fantasy options than others, being able to earn points where their peers may not be able to.

An example is that midfielders earn an extra point per goal compared to forwards and can also earn points for interceptions, making a winger/striker who is listed as a midfielder a stronger Fantasy asset than many other forwards.

FANTASY EFL: THE BEST ‘OUT-OF-POSITION’ CHAMPIONSHIP ASSETS

• Dion De Neve (D) – Blackburn Rovers (plays left wing)
• Ross McCrorie (D) – Bristol City (plays left wing)
• Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (M) – Coventry City (plays right wing)
• Sam Szmodics (M) – Ipswich Town (plays left wing)
• Josh Murphy (M) – Portsmouth (plays left wing)
• Thierry Small (D) – Preston North End (plays RW and LW)
• Kwame Poku (M) – Queens Park Rangers (plays right wing)
• Harrison Burrows (D) – Sheffield United (plays left wing back)
• Welington (D) – Southampton (plays left wing back)
• Sorba Thomas (M) – Stoke City (plays right wing)
• Tom Fellows (M) – West Bromwich Albion (plays right wing)
• Callum Styles (M) – West Bromwich Albion (plays left back)

Dion De Neve (D) – Blackburn Rovers

The 24-year-old summer signing registered five goal contributions for a weak offensive side in the Belgian first division last campaign.

Now a key piece in a Blackburn side who just finished seventh in the Championship, he is expected to rack up both clean sheets and goal involvements. He can play across the pitch, but primarily as an attacker.

Notably, as with Albert Adomah (D), each of his goals will count for a huge seven Fantasy points. This gives him a clear edge over other midfielders and forwards.

With defensive contributions also playing a key role in Fantasy EFL, all evidence points to the dynamic Belgian youngster becoming a highly attractive option. 

Rovers take on WBA (A) in Gameweek 2.

Ross McCrorie (D) – Bristol City

The number two scored five goals in 23 appearances last season, also demonstrating consistent creative production despite registering no assists. 

Bristol City were top-10 in the Championship for both most goals scored and fewest goals conceded, making the versatile Scotsman a perfect Fantasy option coming into the 25/26 campaign.

With strong defensive numbers last season, too, there is no doubt that McCrorie is a good option.

He has only been selected by 0.1% of managers, a figure that can be attributed to their upcoming match against Sheffield United (A).

He’s a player to monitor closely. New manager Gerhard Struber appears to be favouring the same 3-4-2-1 formation that his predecessor Liam Manning used.

Sammie Szmodics (M) – Ipswich Town

A former Fantasy EFL hero, Szmodics is a versatile attacker who is expected to boast one of the highest goal totals in the Championship this season.

He’s one of the standout out-of-position assets, based on his previous data.

He scored an incredible 27 goals in his 23/24 Championship campaign with Blackburn Rovers. He should lead the attacking line for Ipswich this season, likely as a second striker.

The 29-year-old managed four goals and six interceptions in the Premier League last season, despite appearing in just 20 matches. He did also managed to provide two goal contributions off the bench for Rovers last season, before being sold to Ipswich.

Hoping for promotion this season, the Tractor Boys will rely on their attackers – including Szmodics – for goals, following Liam Delap’s departure.

With the same midfielder rules as last season, Szmodics’ Fantasy points and appeal are expected to skyrocket. Don’t be surprised if he is registering consistent double-digit hauls.

He faces Birmingham City (A) in Gameweek 2.

Kwame Poku (M) – QPR

Before his injury last season, Poku was a must-have in any Fantasy EFL team. 

With 21 goal contributions in just 27 appearances, Poku was the most exciting midfielder in Fantasy EFL. 

The 23-year-old is chosen by just 1.1% of managers in the build-up to Gameweek 2. He faces the defensively-shaky PNE (H).

The R’s will be heavily reliant on the Ghanaian to be their star man alongside Karamoko Dembele (F).

Tom Fellows (M) – WBA

The 22-year-old had a creative masterclass of a season, registering 62 key passes and a huge 14 assists. He also scored four goals, helping the Baggies to a strong offensive record.

He is expected to be the starting right winger for Ryan Mason’s side and plays in an equally advanced position to many Fantasy EFL forwards.

With interception points also on the cards, Fellows will certainly be a solid option with consistent assist potential. 

The Baggies welcome Blackburn to The Hawthorns in Gameweek 2.