In the Fantasy EFL Play-Offs Finals Scout Squad, our experts – Danny, Ben, Louis and Merlin – unveil their top picks.

Six sides across the Championship, League One and League Two fight it out to gain promotion to the tier above this week.

Our panel have nominated a 12-man long-list of players and a four-club selection. With no player prices or budgets to worry about, they’ve each picked the following names…

• READ MORE: Fantasy EFL Play-Offs finals – team reveals

FANTASY EFL PLAY-OFFS: FINALS – SCOUT PICKS

MERLIN SAID…

GOALKEEPERS

Middlesbrough earned their place in the play-off final following the whole “Spygate” situation, and Sol Brynn has been one of the Championship’s most reliable goalkeepers throughout the season. Finals are often tight, tense and low-scoring, which only strengthens his appeal.

There is also plenty to like about Matt Young. Salford City have looked extremely solid defensively in recent weeks, while Young himself continues to impress with his shot-stopping ability in important moments.

Meanwhile, Bolton Wanderers still look like my favourites for promotion. Jack Bonham heads into the final in excellent form. Losing Eoin Toal is definitely a blow defensively, but the overall quality and mentality within the squad could still carry them through.

DEFENDERS

At the back, Adebola Oluwo once again stands out. His aerial threat from set pieces makes him dangerous at both ends of the pitch, while his physicality and defensive work rate regularly help him collect bonus points.

There is also clear appeal with Matt Targett. His delivery from set pieces remains excellent, and his experience could prove valuable in such high-pressure matches.

Another defender worth considering is Chris Forino. The centre-back is consistently dangerous in the air and continues to carry strong bonus-point potential thanks to his defensive consistency and aerial dominance.

MIDFIELDERS

Few midfielders look as appealing as Oliver Norwood this week. He remains on penalties and most set pieces, while everything in midfield tends to flow through him. That combination gives him huge assist and bonus-point potential.

Another player who feels slightly underrated right now is Kelly N’Mai. His direct style, movement and willingness to attack defenders make him a genuine goal threat in these important matches.

There is also huge upside with Amario Cozier-Duberry. He has become one of Bolton’s main attacking outlets and arguably one of the standout players in League One this season.

FORWARDS

Up front, Morgan Whittaker remains one of the most talented attackers available. He has the quality to create decisive moments completely out of nothing.

There is also plenty to like about Daniel Udoh. The forward is on penalties and brings energy, physicality and constant attacking pressure in big matches.

Another striker heading into the finals in strong form is David Strelec. He looks extremely clinical right now and has the composure and finishing ability to punish even the smallest defensive mistake.

TEAM PICKS

For the club selections, the focus is on the sides most likely to secure promotion. In my opinion, Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers and Salford City all have the strongest chance of reaching the higher division based on recent form, squad quality and momentum heading into the finals.

DANNY SAID…

GOALKEEPERS

Jack Bonham heads into the final in excellent form after keeping two clean sheets in the previous round. Bolton Wanderers have looked extremely solid defensively, which only strengthens his appeal.

There is also plenty to like about Ivor Pandur. The Hull City goalkeeper also produced back-to-back clean sheets in the semi-finals and looked very composed throughout.

Another strong option is Matt Young. Salford City continue to impress defensively as a unit, which gives Young strong clean-sheet potential heading into the final.

DEFENDERS

At the back, Adebola Oluwo once again stands out due to his huge attacking threat. He showed exactly that in the previous round after getting himself on the scoresheet.

There is also clear appeal with Kallum Cesay. Like Oluwo, he offers attacking upside and also found the net in the last round. Playing out of position only boosts his fantasy appeal further.

Meanwhile, Charlie Hughes continues to look like a strong option because of his bonus-point potential. I also fancy the Hull City defence to perform well again in the final.

MIDFIELDERS

Consistency once again makes Oliver Norwood one of the safest midfield picks available. He continues to deliver reliable returns and remains central to everything his side create.

Another player carrying huge attacking upside is Amario Cozier-Duberry. The winger looks extremely dangerous going forward and continues to offer plenty for Bolton Wanderers in the final third.

There is also strong appeal with Ben Osborn. His interception numbers provide a solid floor for points, while his attacking involvement gives him multiple routes to returns.

FORWARDS

Up front, Oliver McBurnie deserves plenty of attention after an excellent season overall. It would not be a surprise to see him deliver again on the big stage.

Another forward worth considering is Daniel Udoh. He produced 21 goal contributions across the season and has all the tools to make a decisive impact in the final.

Despite quieter recent form, Mason Burstow still carries clear upside. Big matches can often change momentum quickly, and he has the quality to turn things around immediately.

TEAM PICKS

From a club perspective, Hull City, Bolton Wanderers and Salford City all look capable of edging through their finals, although every tie feels extremely close. All three sides impressed during the previous round and head into the finals with strong momentum.

That said, Stockport County could easily raise their level again in such a big occasion.

LOUIS SAID…

GOALKEEPERS

There isn’t much between Stockport and Bolton, but the fact that Bolton struggled to score all season away from home suggests Corey Addai could be a good option.

I’d also back Middlesbrough’s Sol Brynn and Salford City’s Matt Young, who could also keep clean sheets.

DEFENDERS

Kallum Cesay is a defender in the game but plays up front for Salford, which makes him an excellent option with multiple routes to points, regardless of who you think is going to win.

My feelings on Stockport mean I also think Ethan Pyre could be a good pick. He joins – who seems to be extremely consistent – Adebola Oluwo of Salford.

MIDFIELDERS

Stockport’s Oliver Norwood has been essential this season, so he stays.

Even if Bolton don’t score, Amario Cozier-Duberry could rack up points via multiple routes, so he’s in. Completing my midfield picks is Kelly N’Mai, who has shown glimpses of being a great Fantasy asset this season, but just hasn’t been consistent.

FORWARDS

Louie Barry continues my rhetoric of Stockport winning. He has the tendency to bag a massive haul now and again.

David Strelec of Middlesbrough and Oliver McBurnie of Hull City could also do well.

TEAM PICKS

Stockport are, of course, top of my list. I think Middlesbrough will also have the edge against Hull City. Salford have enough to pip Notts County, but I wouldn’t completely rule out Hull City either.

BEN SAID…

GOALKEEPERS

Few goalkeepers look as reliable this week as Sol Brynn. Middlesbrough have looked organised defensively throughout the play-offs, and finals are often cagey affairs decided by fine margins. That type of match suits Brynn perfectly.

There is also strong appeal with Corey Addai. Stockport County continue to look solid at the back, while Bolton’s away scoring record throughout the season leaves room for optimism around another clean sheet.

Another standout option is Matt Young. Salford City have become one of the stronger defensive sides heading into the finals, and Young continues to impress with his shot-stopping ability in key moments.

DEFENDERS

One of the most interesting defensive picks this week is Kallum Cesay. Despite being listed as a defender in the game, he often operates much further forward, which immediately gives him huge upside. Goals, assists, clean sheets and bonus points all remain realistic routes to returns.

Meanwhile, Adebola Oluwo continues to look almost impossible to ignore. His aerial threat from set pieces always makes him dangerous, while his physical presence and defensive work regularly help him collect bonus points as well.

Experience also boosts the appeal of Matt Targett. The full-back offers quality delivery from dead-ball situations and could prove extremely important in such tense matches where one set piece may decide everything.

MIDFIELDERS

Consistency makes Oliver Norwood one of the safest midfield picks once again. Everything tends to run through him for Stockport, while penalties and set pieces only strengthen his overall appeal further.

There is also huge upside with Amario Cozier-Duberry. Bolton’s young winger has looked dangerous throughout the play-offs and continues to carry major attacking threat whenever he isolates defenders one-v-one. Even if Bolton struggle overall, Cozier-Duberry still feels capable of producing something out of nothing.

A slightly more differential option is Kelly N’Mai. His direct running and movement have caused problems all season, even if consistency has occasionally let him down. In a final, though, players willing to attack defenders aggressively can often make the difference.

FORWARDS

Up front, Louie Barry remains one of the standout picks available. He has already shown multiple times this season that he can explode for huge returns, and his ability to create moments from very little makes him extremely dangerous in a one-off final.

There is also growing appeal around David Strelec. The striker looks clinical right now and has the composure to punish even the smallest defensive mistake. In matches expected to be tight, that finishing ability becomes even more valuable.

Another forward worth backing is Daniel Udoh. His energy, physicality and penalty duties give him multiple routes to points, while his overall work rate often keeps him heavily involved throughout matches.

TEAM PICKS

From a club perspective, Stockport County remain one of the standout sides to target. Their consistency, defensive structure and attacking balance have all impressed throughout the campaign.

Middlesbrough also look extremely strong heading into the final. They have momentum, defensive organisation and enough quality in key areas to edge a very tight contest.

There is also plenty to like about Salford City, especially from a defensive perspective. They continue to look extremely difficult to break down and carry several strong fantasy options across the pitch.

That said, writing off Hull City would still be dangerous. Finals rarely go exactly as expected, and they still have enough quality to cause problems if given opportunities.