Last season in Fantasy EFL, the 1-2-2-2 formation was rarely used because forwards didn’t offer a reliable source of points.
This season, new rule changes have given them a significant boost.
But midfielders and forwards now earn one extra point for every shot on target, while every two key passes are still worth an additional point.
As a result, we’ve seen a shift in strategy. Heading into Double Gameweek 3, four of the top ten managers opted for the 1-2-2-2 formation. Another four chose the 1-2-3-1, and the remaining two went with a 1-3-2-1 setup.
With these changes, could the 1-2-2-2 formation and a focus on strikers become a more common and successful strategy?
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Fantasy EFL 25/26: Top strikers so far
Fleetwood Town’s Will Davies (F) has been the standout in the first two Gameweeks, and is proving to be a great signing for the Cod Army.
The number nine has scored 23 points in two matches. In Gameweek 1, he opened his account (+5) in their 2-0 win away at Barnet, taking three shots on target.
He followed this up with an impressive 13-point haul on his home debut, scoring a brace in their 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers. He took two shots on target again, but did get booked so lost one point.
Closely behind, Stevenage’s Jamie Reid (F) has scored two in three for the Boro, helping them to back-to-back wins, scoring three in two and taking three shots on target, returning 22 points.
Tied for 17 points, Crewe Alexandra’s Josh March (F) and Stockport County’s Kyle Wootton (F) have both started brightly.
Crewe’s new talisman may not have opened his goalscoring account, but have provided goals: three (+9) to be exact. He’s also made five key passes (+2), taking two shots on target. Wootton meanwhile has goals in consecutive games.
Notably, Davies is the joint-third highest scorer on the game.
Standout strikers that haven’t scored
There are also strikers who, like March, haven’t scored yet, but still managed to return.
Jordan Ayew (F) of Leicester City scored eight points in their 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. He took five shots on target and made two key passes in the full 90 minutes.
Equally, Ade Adeyemo (F) of Crawley Town earned five points for his three shots on target in their 1-2 loss against Newport County (H).
Although these aren’t enormous scores, it’s certainly a big upgrade from last season, where regular blanks left managers frustrated.
Which formation is best?
The ongoing debate for Fantasy EFL managers: which formation will ultimately prove most effective?
For now, we prefer the 1-2-3-1. This is because midfielders have multiple ways to score points. Not only matching attackers for shots on target and key passes bonuses, but also contributing at both ends of the pitch, including interceptions (+2).
This doesn’t mean the other two are without its merits. The top two scorers in the game are defenders:
- Jack Whatmough (D) of Huddersfield Town – 25 points
- Joe Low (D) of Huddersfield Town – 24 points
However, the “23-point club” is more varied, including Barnsley’s Davis Keillor-Dunn (M) Burton Albion’s Charlie Webster (M), and Davies.
It still feels difficult to consistently pick forwards who devlier weekly point hauls, unlike midfielders and attackers.
One thing is certain, however: there is no single formation that “fits all.” Since we can change our teams weekly, we have the ability to be flexible.
Let’s use this to our advantage throughout the Fantasy EFL season.
