Fantasy EFL is back, and with Gameweek 1 upon us, it’s time to see how some of our top managers are setting up for the new season.

Our expert panel includes the 2025/26 Fantasy EFL winner and an AFCON Fantasy champion, who reveal their opening squads and talk through the thinking behind their selections.

From key players and differentials to captaincy and early strategy, here’s how our experts are approaching the first deadline of 2026/27.

CLICK: JOIN OUR FANTASY EFL MINI-LEAGUE + WIN PRIZES!

• READ MORE: Fantasy EFL Gameweek 1: Scout Picks
• READ MORE: AI predicts all three EFL 2026/27 tables

@FEFL_Charlie

NOTES

• In defence, I’ve gone with one player each from Middlesbrough, Wolves and Huddersfield Town. All three look well placed to pick up valuable clean-sheet points in Gameweek 1.
• Midfield is built around two of last season’s highest scorers, with Lewis Wing taking the captaincy. Both have significant set-piece involvement and post strong interception numbers, giving them several routes to points.
• Up front, I’ve gone with Golden Boot favourite Jarrod Bowen alongside last season’s League Two standout Aaron Drinan. Both start with away fixtures, but I still fancy them to get amongst the goals.
• Yousef Salech is another player I’m considering, so there could still be a late change before Saturday.
• For the club picks, I’ve backed two strong home favourites facing sides expected to battle towards the bottom of their respective divisions. I don’t think we need to overcomplicate things this week. Rather than chasing away-win bonuses, I’m happy to target the popular home sides and hopefully bank some straightforward points.

@FPLAguero_

NOTES

• I’m starting with Jon McCracken in goal. Bradford City have an appealing opening fixture and, now that he is their number one, I’m happy to back him from the start. Wolves are back in the Championship and look like one of the strongest teams in the division, which makes a defensive double-up appealing.
• Kieran Trippier should offer set-piece involvement, while Rodrigo Gomes is difficult to ignore. Listed as a defender but playing on the right wing, his out-of-position role gives him plenty of attacking upside.
• There are several routes to points in midfield. New arrival Sebastian Berhalter has really caught my eye after coming over from MLS. He looks capable of becoming one of the Championship’s standout players, while Middlesbrough start with an excellent fixture against Lincoln City. Experienced Fantasy EFL managers will already know all about Lewis Wing and his ridiculous number of routes to points. He was one of the standout assets last season, making him an easy selection and my captain for Gameweek 1. Completing the midfield is Finn Azaz, whose 0.51 xGI per 90 is encouraging ahead of a meeting with a Watford side who haven’t looked particularly convincing in pre-season. There is one concern, however, as Azaz has been managing a minor shin problem. If he doesn’t start, I’ll switch to teammate Leo Scienza.
• Up front, I’ve backed Andy Cook. The former Bradford striker is back in League Two with a Grimsby Town side who should be pushing for the play-offs. They also start at home to Exeter City. Having averaged 0.58 goals per 90 in 2024/25, Cook has already shown he has the quality to thrive at this level.
• Bradford City and Chesterfield are my two club picks. The former are locked in, whereas I’m slightly less certain about Chesterfield. Their fixture is attractive, but Grimsby, Wolves and Middlesbrough arguably offer safer alternatives. It comes down to whether I use one of those sides now or save them for a potentially better opportunity later. As always, the final team could change once the line-ups drop.
• Good luck, everyone.

CLICK: JOIN OUR FANTASY EFL MINI-LEAGUE + WIN PRIZES!

@FPL_Jack15

NOTES

• We’re finally back for another season of Fantasy EFL, and I can’t wait to get started.
• My goalkeeper has been settled for a while. Radek Vitek should come straight in for Sol Brynn at Middlesbrough, who have the best clean-sheet odds this week. With their defenders unlikely to rack up much bonus, going for Vitek feels like the best way to cover the defence.
• At the back, Rodrigo Gomes is an easy pick. He is classified as a defender but should play on the wing for Wolves, giving him a huge ceiling if he continues in that advanced role. The second defensive spot is less certain, but I’m currently on Jack Whatmough. Huddersfield Town have strong clean-sheet prospects at home to an AFC Wimbledon side who could struggle. His goal threat isn’t particularly exciting, but there should be opportunities for bonus points. A Bradford City defender is also under consideration.
• Lewis Wing is the first name in midfield and takes the captaincy. He has so many routes to points and averaged an excellent 7.8 points per match last season, which says plenty about his Fantasy potential. Alongside him is Oliver Norwood. I can see his fixture becoming quite chaotic, which should suit a player with set-piece duties and the ability to rack up interceptions. This position could still change, but he feels like a safe Gameweek 1 pick. The final midfield spot goes to Antoni Sarcevic, who I think is being overlooked. He should have free-kick and penalty duties, while Peterborough United conceded plenty of interceptions last season. That combination gives him several routes to returns.
• Up front, Will Lankshear takes my second Middlesbrough slot. He should generate plenty of shots against Lincoln City, even if the newly promoted side sit deep and try to frustrate Boro. There is also a chance of penalties while Conway remains unavailable, although that situation is still unclear.
• For the club picks, I’m backing Grimsby Town against an Exeter City side I’m happy to target. Bradford City also get the nod at home to Peterborough. I’m confident both can win, while this approach allows me to save Wolves and Middlesbrough for later. With Championship Double Gameweeks to come, those two could become particularly valuable over such a long season.

@FPLReaction

NOTES

• I think Middlesbrough have one of the best chances of keeping a clean sheet this week. If Radek Vitek comes in for Sol Brynn, he’s a shoo-in for me. I’m not particularly keen on any of the Boro defenders, either, so Vitek looks the best route into their defence.
• At the back, out-of-position Rodrigo Gomes was one of the first names in my team. He’s classified as a defender but plays on the wing, giving him obvious attacking upside. Jack Whatmough also makes the cut, with Huddersfield Town having a strong chance of a clean sheet. He’s a solid pick rather than an exciting one, but sometimes that’s all you need.
• Lewis Wing is probably essential and gets the captaincy armband. He was the best asset in the game last season, so starting with him makes complete sense. You won’t see Oliver Norwood in loads of drafts because of the fixture, but I can see that match being open. Norwood was also a brilliant Fantasy asset last season. Completing the midfield is Kieran Green of Grimsby Town. Midfielders proved incredibly consistent last season and Green was another player I’d put in that bracket. Grimsby have a very nice opening fixture, while Green delivered the goods for me on plenty of occasions last campaign.
• Up front, I’ve gone for Will Lankshear, who should lead the line for Boro. It’s a very good opening fixture and, to be honest, the other striker options don’t convince me quite as much. That said, I also like Jarrod Bowen and Andy Cook.
• I’ll be saving Wolves and West Ham for Double Gameweeks. This week, I’m backing Middlesbrough and Huddersfield Town as my club picks. Both have excellent home fixtures and should have opportunities to score goals, keep clean sheets and win well. I don’t expect my team to change now, although the line-ups could obviously force a late rethink.