The significance of captaincy in Fantasy EFL has become abundantly clear after the opening seven gameweeks. Unlike many other Fantasy games, managers can flexibly change their captain before the 'lock' point. This unique feature makes a 'daily captain' strategy highly effective.

The EFL returns with action from across all three leagues, in our inaugural [scheduled] double gameweek! The action kicks-off with two Friday night thrillers. Tranmere Rovers host Salford City in League Two at 19:45, while Plymouth Arygle host Luton Town at 20:00. 69 sides are set to feature twice in this huge double gameweek. 

This week could be a great time to play the Max Captain chip, as it will allow you to maximise your best performers points. When the Max Captain chip is applied, the highest scoring player in your team will be automatically made your captain for that gameweek once all players in your team have played. If you use your Max Captain chip between 15th July 2024 and 31st January 2025, then you will get another opportunity to play this chip from February 1st 2025 up until the end of the season. If you do not use your Max Captain chip before February 1st 2025 then you will still only have one opportunity to play it before the end of the season, it will not roll over. 

This article will make it clearer as to who should be included in order to make the most of the Max Captain chip.

• Latest scouting tips, news, difficulty tracker and set-piece takers
• What do Fantasy EFL managers need to know ahead of double gameweek 8?

 

CHAMPIONSHIP

Sheffield Utd

The Blades face Portsmouth at Fratton Park followed by Swansea City at Bramall Lane. Last time out, Sheffield United managed to secure seven Fantasy EFL points in their 1-0 victory against Derby County. Both ties are winnable fixtures and there is no doubt that they will cause problems in both, with their key assets likely to be amongst the goals once again. 

The standout pick in this one is to be their midfield maestro, Gustavo Hamer (M). Hamer has been in prolific form, securing four goals (+24) and one assist (+3) already to his name. Against two struggling sides, Hamer could be perfect to wear the armband this week. 

Sunderland

Sunderland take on Watford and Derby County in the double gameweek. Although the Hornets had a great start to the season, their form seems to have slowly fallen off at the worst time. It is a match that the Black Cats are expected to win, and targeting their assets could be a strong move. 

The clear standout is defender Dennis Cirkin (D), who has returned a solid 56 points in Fantasy EFL, adding 12 points in his last outing when his side beat Middlesbrough 1-0. He secured points through the clean sheet (+5), five clearances (+1), two blocks (+1), and six tackles (+3).

Burnley

Burnley have looked a real force since returning back to the Championship, winning four, drawing one and losing only one of their opening matches. The Clarets face Oxford United and Plymouth Argyle in the double gameweek and it would be incredibly surprising to see them drop points in either fixture.

Josh Brownhill (M) seems to be the standout asset in this one. He secured 14 points in the Clarets last outing against Portsmouth, providing both a goal (+6) and assist (+3) from the middle-of-the-park, alongside one interception (+2). His attacking and defensive contributions make him a huge player for a double gameweek and one that is likely to gain points from a defensive perspective as well as his attacking threat. 

There is a chance that the Clarets talisman, Lyle Foster (F) could be a good selection for the double gameweek, but he is certainly not above Brownhill in terms of expected points.

 

Millwall

Millwall face Preston North End at home, followed by Cardiff City (A), which are eye-catching matches for the Lions. They secured an away draw to QPR ending 1-1, but returning back to the Den against a struggling Preston North End side it would be a huge shock if they fail to secure all three points.

George Saville (M) is the man backed in the middle of the park. We We have noted in previous gameweeks that backing midfielders that tend to pick up interception points is a great approach. Saville is a master of this, securing a staggering 17 interceptions (+34) already this season. 

If you are looking elsewhere for the Lions, their talisman Duncan Watmore (F) has to be the man to target. As it stands, he has 49 points to his name, so should be a real threat when he returns back to the Den to face Preston North End.

West Bromwich Albion

WBA are the final side we would advise targeting in this double gameweek. They are one of only three sides that remain unbeaten in the Championship and with matches against Sheffield Wednesday away followed by Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns, there is no question that they can secure consecutive wins.

Of all their players, there is only one man to target, Josh Maja (F). Maja has been in prolific form since the start of the campaign and now has 53 points to his name in Fantasy EFL. The majority of his returns have been the six goals (+30) currently to his name, but he also has contributed an assist (+3).

League One

Birmingham City

Birmingham City face Peterborough United at St. Andrew’s on Saturday afternoon at 15:00 BST. Then, on Tuesday, they host Huddersfield Town at 19:45 BST on Tuesday evening. 

League One record signing Jay Stansfield (F) is the standout Blues player to captain this gameweek. The £15 million man has scored three goals (+15) in two games, and has already re-discovered his electric form at St Andrew’s. With two ideal home fixtures up next, against opposition that have conceded 19 goals combined, Fantasy EFL managers can be confident in a Stansfield haul. With 22 points in two gameweeks, Stansfield will be looking to score at least his fourth of the season. Although Alfie May (F) is an option, managers will have to keep an eye on Chris Davies’ team sheet on Saturday. The number nine was dropped last gameweek against Rotherham United (A), opting for Lyndon Dykes (F) instead. Against Wrexham (H) in gameweek 6, May played in the number 10 role, with Stansfield operating as the sole striker. 

Wrexham 

The Red Dragons have been immense in League One this season since their second consecutive promotion from League Two. This season, Phil Parkinson’s side have five wins, one draw, and one loss, scoring 14 and conceding six in that time. They travel to Leyton Orient at 15:00 BST on Saturday, before another road trip to Stevenage on Tuesday night. 

The key standouts in this one are Max Cleworth (D), Eoghan O’Connell (D) and Elliott Lee (M). Cleworth is Wrexham’s highest Fantasy EFL scorer with 61 points, averaging 8.7 points. He has only blanked once this season, and secured a 13-point haul against Crawley Town in gameweek 7. The defender scored (+7), assisted (+3) and made four clearances (+1) in their 2-1 victory. With fixtures against opposition that have only scored 14 goals combined, managers can be confident in defensive returns. Equally, O’Connell is averaging 7.7 points and hasn’t blanked like Cleworth! Prior to gameweek 7, he returned five consecutive nine pointers. 

If you’re looking at the upside of attacking returns, Lee is the standout. With three goals (+15) and two assists (+6) in seven appearances, Lee scored the opener against Crawley, securing eight points. For a punt, Paul Mullin (F) is worth a mention, if he makes his second consecutive start. 

Blackpool 

The Seasiders have been sailing smoothly under Steve Bruce’s new guidance at the helm. In their [mini] double gameweek 7, they secured two huge results, beating Charlton Athletic (A) 1-2, followed by defeating Huddersfield Town 0-2. In double gameweek 8, Blackpool host Burton Albion and Lincoln City in consecutive home fixtures. 

Midfield duo Lee Evans (M) and CJ Hamilton (M) are the clear standouts. Evans has picked up three assists (+9) in nine games, and is the joint-highest Fantasy EFL scorer for Pool this season. He’s also picked up seven interceptions (+14) and only has 0.5% ownership. On set-pieces, Evans will be expected to secure his fourth attacking return of the season. Additionally, Hamilton has been immense under Bruce, securing 30 points in three matches. In double gameweek 7, he secured 14 points, scoring and assisting (+9) against the Terriers (A). He’s also secured six interceptions (+12) and 22 key passes (+7). Both options are great shouts! 

LEAGUE TWO

Notts County

The Magpies have two away ties in double gameweek 8, first taking on bottom-of-the-league Morecambe on Saturday. From there, the Magpies travel to Brunton Park, taking on Carlisle United on Tuesday eve, who are sat 22nd in the table. 

There are two standouts in this fixture. Daniel Crowley (M) has been immense in the middle-of-the-park, securing 51 points in six appearances. With three goals (+18) and three assists (+9) to his name, Crowley will play an important role if Stuart Maynard’s side bounce back from their gameweek 7 loss. Equally, talisman Jodi Jones (F) has been the star for the Magpies, scoring four goals and providing two assists (+26) in six appearances. With 7.6% ownership, he’s expected to haul across double gameweek 8, against defences that have conceded 24 goals combined. 

 

Doncaster Rovers

Donny have two home fixtures in double gameweek 8, facing Chesterfield on Saturday, before taking on Barrow on Tuesday night. There’s only one captaincy shout for these matches - Luke Molyneux (M). The midfield-sensation has scored four goals and provided two assists (+30) in seven appearances, nailing 55 points. However, Molyneux has occasionally blanked despite frequently featuring for 90 minutes (+2). With 16.7% ownership, averaging 7.9 points, Fantasy EFL managers will be expecting Molyneux to produce his third double-digit haul of the campaign - hopefully twice in consecutive matches! 

Gillingham 

The Gills take on Barrow and Grimsby Town at Priestfield Stadium in double gameweek 8, both games on Saturday and Tuesday. They’ve conceded only two goals this season in seven matches, the lowest in the division. Max Clark (D) and Remeao Hutton (D) have both secured 54 and 53 points respectively, helped with five clean sheets (+25) during that period. While Clark has collected all points through defensive contributions, Hutton has secured two assists this season (+6). If you’re expecting defensive returns for Mark Bonner’s side, the defensive duo could be worth considering. 

Insights provided by the team at Fantasy Football Scout, the leading voice in fantasy football who’ll be providing coverage on teams, player picks and strategy for the Fantasy EFL game throughout the season here and on their own dedicated EFL channel here.