After 67 days of anticipation since the play-offs concluded, the excitement for Fantasy EFL 2025/26 has reached fever pitch.

Yes, the opening Gameweek is finally upon us!

League One commences on Friday 1 August at 20:00 BST as Luton Town host AFC Wimbledon in the season’s curtain-raiser. League Two action kicks off on Saturday 2 August at 15:00 BST, as all 24 sides begin their campaigns simultaneously.

Here, we present our Fantasy EFL Gameweek 1 Scout Picks.

These selections are based on the highest-selected players from our resident experts – for more in-depth analysis of their team choices, be sure to check out our Scout Squad article if you haven’t already.

Remember that you can find all our content for this game on the ‘Fantasy EFL’ tab on our home page.

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FANTASY EFL GAMEWEEK 1: SCOUT PICKS

Goalkeeper

Backed by all experts as their main goalkeeper option, Luton Town’s Josh Keeley (G) makes our side.

Recently signed from Spurs for an undisclosed fee, the 22-year-old was oustanding for Leyton Orient last season, helping them to the play-off semi-finals.

In 39 appearances, he kept 16 shutouts (+80), making 114 saves, totalling 196 points. He also made a penalty save last season, which would’ve seen him score an additional two points following the rule changes.

Backed by 10% of managers, the Hatters host AFC Wimbledon, a team that struggled for goals throughout their League Two campaign, scoring a play-off low of just 56. Coupled with the set-up in terms of quality, an opening clean sheet on his home debut feels inevitable for the Hatters’ number 12.

Defenders

Wigan Athletic’s highest-scoring asset last season with 285 points, Jason Kerr (D) is a great option for Gameweek 1.

The centre-back was instrumental in the Latics’ impressive 18 shutouts in 44 games, contributing significantly with 331 clearances and 41 blocks.

Ryan Moore’s side host Northampton Town, who finished 19th last season. Their struggles on the road are notable, with just five wins in 23 away games, and their goal-scoring record was among the division’s worst (sixth-lowest).

Given the Latics’ stout defence, which conceded only 42 goals all season, a clean sheet is highly anticipated.

Completing the defence, Mads Andersen (D) is a prime differential pick with under 1% ownership, despite being a nailed-on starter for Luton.

With injuries sidelining Hakeem Odoffin (D) and Mark McGuinness (D), Andersen is set for consistent minutes in a back three. Though his past two seasons were injury-hit, limiting his appearances, he did score Luton’s first-ever Premier League goal in 2023/24.

Additionally, if he does haul, we can utilise the clever vice-captaincy strategy.

Midfielders

It’s no surprise that Doncaster Rovers’ midfielder Luke Molyneux (M) is a unanimous choice among all five of our managers, earning him the captain’s armband in our lineup. Currently selected by over 50% of managers, his impressive performance last season speaks volumes.

The winger was directly involved in 30 goals in 45 appearances, a fantastic return. He also logged 94 key passes, the second-highest in the division, accumulating a total of 286 points.

Additionally, Molyneux registered 39 shots on target, the second-most among all midfielders, a statistic that will be even more beneficial under the new rule system.

Doncaster face 16th-placed Exeter City at home to open their campaign. Exeter’s defence was leaky on the road last season, conceding 32 of their 65 goals. If Donny are to secure a win, you can expect their number seven to be at the heart of the action.

Partnering him, another Fantasy EFL icon returns: Salford City’s Ossama Ashley (M).

The number four was an interceptions machine, picking up 74 (+148) of them in 33 games, making up the majority of his 218 points. He did however also produce six goal contributions in that time.

Despite being backed by less than 2% of managers, Salford will take on Crewe Alexandra, who come into the match in excellent form after winning five of their seven pre-season fixtures.

Last season saw two tight 1-1 draws between these sides but historically, their encounters have been far more prolific, rarely featuring fewer than three goals.

We could be in for a high-scoring and entertaining contest, likely with many interceptions as both teams push forward.

Forwards

Up top, a formidable Gameweek 1 duo has emerged: Cardiff City’s Yousef Salech (F) and MK Dons’ Aaron Collins (F).

Salech was a standout for the Bluebirds last season, even though they finished at the very bottom of the Championship table. He scored eight goals (+40) and picked up two assists in 20 games, taking 21 SoT also.

With new manager Brian Barry-Murphy seemingly favouring a single striker and the ongoing injury concerns surrounding Callum Robinson (F), Salech is primed to lead Cardiff’s attack in Gameweek 1. All five experts are backing him for a strong showing, and for good reason.

Cardiff face Peterborough United (H), a side that not only lost key attacking talent like Kwame Poku (M) to QPR this summer, but also conceded a staggering 81 goals last season, more than any other EFL side. This favourable matchup, coupled with Salech’s proven goal-scoring ability, positions him for a significant return.

Completing the VII, Collins, who has dropped down a division, moving from Bolton Wanderers to the Dons. He’s been in sensational form in pre-season, netting five goals in six appearances, including a hat-trick, after providing 17 goal contributions in 45 games for Bolton.

With 30% of experts backing him and a home fixture against newly promoted Oldham Athletic from the National League, the Dons’ astute recruitment this summer has them widely tipped to dominate the division and make a strong start to the campaign

Gameweek 1 Scout Picks: Club picks

Mirroring the player picks, Luton Town and Cardiff City were selected by all five managers as their favourite options.

The Hatters are expected to dominate in League One, despite back-to-back relegations. Matt Bloomfield knows the division well, and led Wycombe on a fairytale run last season, before swapping Buckinghamshire for Bedfordshire.

Wimbledon struggled for goals all season, especially away from home, where they netted just 21 of their 56. Their recruitment for the step-up hasn’t inspired much confidence, and while a high-scoring game against their solid defence seems unlikely, many expect Luton to start their season strongly as they aim for an immediate bounce back to the second tier.

Elsewhere, bruised from losing 10 players, including key figures like Emmanuel Fernandez (D), Ricky Jade-Jones (F) and Malik Mothersille (F), Peterborough may look disjointed on the opening day. Many anticipate Cardiff will still be too strong for League One, and an opening day win feels inevitable.

Adding to the Bluebirds’ appeal, they finished their pre-season undefeated, with two wins from five matches.

Combined, the picks could score 26 points if they haul.