The Fantasy EFL deadline is here! After all your hard work tinkering with your team, the wait is finally over. Twenty-four League One and League Two matches are about to kick off, with every club vying for a win on the opening day.
We’ve combined data from friendlies, fans, fixture tickers and transfers to offer a guide to the key matches of Gameweek 1.
Whilst there are 24 games in total from which to pick players in Gameweek 1, (12 each in League One and League Two, none from the Championship which starts next week), we’ve focused on the following five fixtures that offer most interesting Fantasy options.
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LUTON TOWN VS AFC WIMBLEDON
League One – 20:00, Friday 1 August
The opening match of the new EFL League One season threatens to be more of a mismatch. Freshly relegated Luton Town, one of the favourites to challenge for the title, take on AFC Wimbledon, promoted via the play-offs from League Two. Although Wimbledon were defensively sound in the latter half of the 24/25 season, we’re going with the fixture ticker that shows this as a ‘strong green’ in Luton’s favour.
Pre-season form
Luton have been in fine form, winning four of their five warm-up games, scoring 15 and conceding just one goal in the process, even keeping a clean sheet against Tottenham Hotspur! The goals have been shared around with two a-piece from Macauley Woodrow (F), Taylan Harris (F), Jordan Clark (M) and Lamine Fanne (M). Lasse Nordas (F) also has three to his name.
Wimbledon’s pre-season has been more mixed, winning just one of their six games, a 4-2 victory over National League Enfield Town, drawing two and losing three (to Sutton, Millwall and Southend). They did score seven goals (with two-a-piece for Matt Stevens (F), Josh Kelly (F) and Osman Foyo (M)), but the 11 conceded will cause more concern for anyone considering Dons’ defence.
Key players
We’re feeling good about a lot of Luton options, but we’d focus on the following:
- Mads Andersen (D)
- Jordan Clark (M)
- George Saville (M)
FFS PREDICTION – 2-0 home win
CARDIFF CITY VS PETERBOROUGH UNITED
League One – 12:30, Saturday 2 August
Another potential mismatch and humdinger in store, as recently-relegated Cardiff City, another favourite for the League One trophy, take on Peterborough United. The Posh have lost multiple key assets, 10 to be exact, including nearly all of their strike-force. The fixture ticker shows that this is a ‘green’ in Cardiff’s favour.
Pre-season form
Cardiff, led by new manager Brian Barry-Murphy, are in excellent form, having gone undefeated in their last five matches, with two wins and three draws. A significant part of their success is thanks to the strong offensive performances of Yousef Salech (F), who has scored four goals in five games. Callum Robinson (F) also impressed who has added three goals, although he may be sidelined with an injury. The team’s recent victories include a decisive 3-0 win over Southend United and a 5-1 away thrashing of Cambridge. However, their defence has been less consistent, securing only one clean sheet during this period.
Despite personnel changes, the Posh have had a solid pre-season campaign, winning five of their nine games. Three of these victories were against non-league opponents – including an impressive 8-1 away win over Peterborough Sports. Bradley Ihionvien (F) has been the standout performer, scoring six goals, followed by Kyrell Lisbie (F) and Chris Conn-Clarke (F), who have each contributed three goals. However, the team’s defensive vulnerabilities are still a concern. They only managed to keep two clean sheets in that time.
Key players
The 12:30 kick-off always feels risky to back on opening day, but we feel the Bluebirds pick up an opening day win.
- Rubin Colwill (M)
- Alex Robinson (M)
- Yousef Salech (F)
FFS PREDICTION – 3-1 home win
WIGAN ATHLETIC VS NORTHAMPTON TOWN
League One – 15:00, Saturday 2 August
The Latics are kicking off their new season at home against Northampton Town, a team that finished 19th last season. While Wigan ended up 15th, they were defensively brilliant, conceding only 42 goals, which was the joint-third best defensive record in the division. Their main issue was scoring goals, but they did finish the season with an impressive eight-game unbeaten streak. Northampton has seen a lot of player turnover this summer, with many new faces coming in. This could make them look a bit unsettled as the new squad finds its rhythm.
The fixture is rated as ‘green’ in favour of Wigan.
Pre-season form
Ryan Lowe’s impressive run with Wigan continues, as the team has secured three wins in their last four matches. New forward Dara Costelloe (F), a recent signing from Accrington Stanley, has been a standout performer, scoring four goals in four games – including a brace against his former club. James Carragher (D) has also contributed to the scoresheet. Meanwhile, striker Paul Mullin (F) is building his fitness, getting some valuable minutes on the pitch. Ironically, the team managed to keep only one clean sheet during this period.
The preseason has been a mixed bag for the Cobblers, who’ve lost three of their six matches against Cambridge, Norwich, and Millwall. However, they ended their run on a high note with an impressive 3-0 victory over Birmingham City. The team’s key talisman, Sam Hoskins (F) found the back of the net in that one.
Key players
While goalscoring was a past concern for Wigan, their recent recruitment suggests a shift in fortunes. We still favour the home side in this matchup. A clean sheet seems highly probable for Wigan.
- Sam Tickle (G)
- Jason Kerr (D)
- Dara Costelloe (F)
FFS PREDICTION – 1-0 home win
MK DONS VS OLDHAM ATHLETIC
League One – 15:00, Saturday 2 August
Manager Paul Warne has had his first summer transfer window in charge at MK Dons, and he’s made a statement with his new signings. The Dons have brought in some serious firepower, including two players with Championship experience: Callum Patterson (F) and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (F) – as well as highly-rated League One forward Aaron Collins. They’ll kick off their season against Oldham, who are back in the EFL after winning the National League play-offs, their first return since 2022. The Dons are widely considered the favourites, reflected in the fixture ticker.
Pre-season form
The Dons’ significant offseason spending has yet to translate into success on the pitch. The team has struggled to find its rhythm, losing five of seven matches and securing wins only against non-league opponents, but they did suffer injuries to multiple defenders. Despite the disappointing results, some players are showing promise. Aaron Collins (F) has been the standout, scoring five goals in seven games. It’s worth noting that three of their five losses came against teams from higher divisions.
With just two pre-season games, it’s tough to get a clear picture of Oldham’s form. They drew 0-0 with Dundee United (A) and lost 1-0 to Bradford (H). The good news for them is they’ve held onto their key player, Mike Fondop-Talum (F). He was a crucial part of their promotion campaign, contributing to 23 goals in 45 appearances.
Key players
A home win feels inevitable, even though their pre-season wasn’t spectacular. It may not be the most exciting club pick, but they should secure three points against the newly promoted opposition. “Score more than you concede” may be the mantra at Stadium MK this weekend.
- Will Collar (M)
- Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (F)
- Aaron Collins (F)
FFS PREDICTION – 2-1 home win
CHESTERFIELD VS BARROW
League Two – 15:00, Saturday 2 August
Chesterfield, who enjoyed a fairytale run to the play-offs last year, are favored in their final match against 16th-placed Barrow. The Spireites have retained their key personnel and boast a formidable home record, having lost only four games and won 10 last season. Barrow, by contrast, struggled on the road with the 18th-worst away record in the division, losing 11 of their matches. A ‘green’ fixture is in store for the home side.
Pre-season form
In a series of six matches, Chesterfield secured two wins and two draws. Their victories included a dominant 5-0 home win against a higher-ranked Burton Albion and a high-scoring 8-3 away win against Europa Point in Spain. Will Grigg (F) at 34, continues to impress with four goals, matching the tally of new signing Lee Bonis (F), who recently joined from ADO Den Haag.
Over a series of six matches, Barrow secured four victories, though all were against non-league teams. Their two losses came from League One opponents. New signing Innes Cameron (F) from Kilmarnock has been a standout performer, scoring three goals. Despite the wins, the narrow margins against non-league sides may be a cause for concern.
Key players
Paul Cook continues to impress all Fantasy EFL managers with his strong showing in the fourth tier, and his team is expected to do well again. With an impressive home record, it’s hard to overlook them.
- Chey Dunkley (D)
- Kyle McFadzean (D)
- Will Grigg (F)
FFS PREDICTION – 2-0 home win
