Fantasy EFL continues, and with Gameweek 2 upon us, it’s time to see how some of our top managers are setting up for the new round.

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

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

• READ MORE: Fantasy EFL Gameweek 2: Scout Picks

@FEFL_Charlie

NOTES

• I’m backing three popular defences this week and particularly like the goal threat offered by Harry Souttar and Konstantinos Mavropanos. Souttar isn’t completely locked in, however, as I’m not sure Russell Martin’s side will immediately adapt to his system. Paudie O’Connor, who faces a struggling AFC Wimbledon side away from home, is one alternative I’m considering.
• In midfield, I’ve gone with Mark Helm and Jordan Clark. Both have appealing fixtures and should offer solid points floors through key passes and shots on target, alongside their goal threat and potential for interceptions.
• I’m currently planning to go without Lewis Wing. His interception numbers have historically been weaker away from home, while Wimbledon’s direct style could also limit his opportunities to collect points in that department.
• Up front, Alfie May and Kyle Wootton currently get the nod. Both should have strong minutes prospects against weaker opposition. Jack Marriott is another option I like after his hat-trick last week, particularly with another favourable defensive matchup ahead.
• I’m keeping things fairly safe with my two club picks. Both have home fixtures against weaker opposition who failed to win in Gameweek 1, so I’m happy to back the favourites rather than overcomplicate things.

@FPLAguero_

NOTES

• I’m backing Tommy Simkin in goal. Barnsley have looked poor, so I fancy his chances of picking up a clean sheet this week.
• Konstantinos Mavropanos is my preferred West Ham United defender. They are probably the strongest side in the league and face a weak Charlton Athletic team at home. His attacking threat also gives him the edge over Max Kilman, despite the latter scoring last time out. Harry Souttar is the defender I’m least convinced by. The fixture looks decent, but Burton Albion could still cause problems, so that spot isn’t completely locked in.
• Kasey Palmer is my first midfielder. I considered him last week but went without, only for him to score twice! The fixture looks even better this time around, so I’m not overlooking him again.
• Lewis Wing also makes the cut. Wing is Wing – Fantasy EFL managers already know the huge number of routes to points he offers. Completing the midfield is Owen Bailey. Those who played Fantasy EFL last season will know all about him. He can rack up interceptions and regularly crashes the box, giving him several ways to score well.
• Up front, Jarrod Bowen is an easy pick. He is arguably the best asset in the game and gets an excellent home fixture against Charlton. Bowen also takes the captaincy.
• Bristol Rovers and Doncaster Rovers are my two club picks.

@FPL_Jack15

NOTES

• Defence feels like the hardest area to settle this week, with no obvious standouts. Mads Hermansen is my goalkeeper, with his side having the highest clean-sheet odds. For me, he’s the best way to cover their defence.
• The defenders have limited bonus potential, although their significant goal threat is tempting. Taylor Harwood-Bellis is my first defender. He carries plenty of goal threat and faces a Stoke City attack that has looked weak and created little. Hakeem Odoffin also makes my current draft if fit, with decent clean-sheet prospects of his own. That spot could change once the line-ups arrive.
• Midfield feels much more straightforward. Lewis Wing should continue ticking along with his many routes to points, while Jordan Clark offers similar potential and also has penalties. Ilias Chair completes the midfield. He’s a more explosive pick against a poor Bolton Wanderers side, and we saw exactly what he can produce in Gameweek 1.
• Jarrod Bowen is both my forward and captain. He faces a poor Charlton Athletic side at home and also offers set-piece and penalty involvement.
• Luton Town and Bristol Rovers are my current club picks. I’m fairly confident both can win, although Rovers could still become Leicester City depending on the line-ups.

@FeflZac

NOTES

• In goal, Shamal George is an exciting pick for me this week. He has averaged six saves across his two competitive matches and has a fantastic defensive pairing of Kamarl Grant and Omar Sowunmi in front of him. Cambridge United did score three against Wigan Athletic, but they produced just 1.74 xG and six shots on target. Interestingly, all three goals went into the bottom-right corner, while George has saved every shot he has faced in that area so far.
• Jack Fitzwater is quite an easy defensive selection for me. He faces an Accrington Stanley side who have regularly been towards the bottom end of League Two in recent seasons, while Fitzwater has only just dropped down from League One and could definitely still play at that level. He gets involved across the pitch, too, recording an impressive 29 defensive contributions in Gameweek 1 and another 14 in the Carabao Cup.
• My other defender is Finley Potter, who faces a Gillingham side that have started with back-to-back 3-0 defeats against Luton Town and Walsall. Potter averages around nine clearances per game across his career, giving him a solid base for points. If he can add any extra bonuses, his ceiling could be very high.
• Cameron Brannigan will probably feature in my team most weeks this season because he offers an incredibly high floor and an even greater ceiling. Despite sitting at just 3.5% ownership, he still returned 10 points against MK Dons. Stevenage are next, having recorded just 71% pass accuracy against Burton Albion, which could provide plenty of interception opportunities for Brannigan. After an awful start for Salford,
• Luke Molyneux and his teammates will be looking to put things right against Chesterfield. Their opponents have lost both of their matches so far this season against Fleetwood, in the league and cup. Molyneux has plenty of quality at League Two level and, on his day, can easily produce a 15+ point return that you won’t want to miss.
• Lewis Wing is the easy one – Mr Reliable. Despite managing just four points in Gameweek 1, he now faces an AFC Wimbledon side who haven’t won so far this season in any competition. Wing has so many routes to points and averaged an excellent 7.8 points per match last season, which says plenty about his Fantasy potential.
• Up front, I’ve gone with Golden Boot favourite Jarrod Bowen. He’s an incredible player who looks far too good for the Championship and will be hoping to play a major role in taking West Ham United straight back up.
• Finally, Bromley and Barnet are my two club picks. Bromley have carried their promotion momentum into the new season and look capable of making an impact, while Barnet have also impressed so far. I’m excited to see how both get on this season.