GW1 Selection: Season Opener Dilemmas

To compete against my team, and other fellow Hatters, this season don’t forget to join our Oak Road Hatter league. Join using the code C5VQ3PND. If you also play FPL then you can do the same over there using the code xpelfz.

So here we go again. The English Football League is upon us, this time for the 2024/2025 edition of what promises to be another interesting campaign across all three leagues. This season is also the first ever to have a Fantasy game for fans to play and show their knowledge, so for Fantasy addicts like me there’s even more excitement!

This season, on www.oakroadhatter.com, I’ll be revealing all of my picks from GW1 all the way to that final whistle of the season. From GW2 onwards I’ll also be doing a recap of how I did in the previous week, so both my successes and failures are there for all to see.

For those not familiar with the rules or features in EFL Fantasy, I did a quick overview of Five Key Differences between this version of Fantasy football and the well-known Premier League sibling, FPL. So go and check that out if you want to be brought up to speed. Anyway, here goes Gameweek numero Uno…

Fixtures to Target

In most Fantasy games targeting fixtures is one of the keys to success, and EFL Fantasy is no different. Therefore each week I’ll highlight what I think will be the key fixtures to target, which will then form the basis of my player selections.

Leeds United aim to bounce back from their play-off final defeat to Southampton at Wembley in May. Credit: Action Images via Reuters.

The first week of the season is extremely hard to read: which teams will get off to a strong start, and which ones will underperform before coming on strong later? Early on, the only real data points we have is; (1) who are the early favourites for promotion?, and (2) who look like they’ll be in for a tough campaign? So, that’s what I’ll be going off in the early weeks.

Championship

Leeds vs Portsmouth — the title favourites are at home against newly promoted ‘Pompey’ in a game which sees the latter firmly thrown in the deep end. I think Portsmouth will do well this season and escape the drop, but a trip to Elland Road is difficult for most teams in this division and so I can’t look past Leeds at home, especially in attack.

Middlesbrough vs Swansea — not as big a favourite compared to Leeds, but I still think they’re in with an outside shot of promotion, something they’ve been on the wrong side of so far during Michael Carrick’s tenure. To the contrary for Swansea, who I think could be in a bit of danger this season, and are one of the outside bets for the drop.

Preston vs Sheffield United — had you asked me this a month or so ago I would’ve been more concerned about the Blades chances this season, but they’ve recruited very well and travel to Deepdale to start their campaign. Like Swansea, I think Preston could also be in a bit of bother this campaign and will certainly concede goals at home to a recently relegated Premier League side.

League One

Crawley vs Blackpool — it was an unexpected promotion for Crawley last season and having lost almost all of their key players from that campaign, they’re odds on favourites to be rooted to the bottom of the League One table come May. Blackpool are a consistently good League One side, and whilst may struggle to impact the top end of the league this season, should come away with all three points to start their season.

Stockport vs Cambridge — Stockport have bounced from the National League to League One over the past three seasons and look set to do fairly well in a division they’ve not been in since 2009/10. On the back of a promotion, and a feel good factor currently at the Hatters, I expect them to grab a home win against a Cambridge team that will likely be battling at the wrong end of the table this season.

League Two winners Stockport County during their final day defeat to Wrexham. Credit: Action Images.

League Two

Doncaster vs Accrington — Accrington have done incredibly well to maintain their Football League status for almost two decades, but with the departure of John Coleman survival may be one step too far this season. Doncaster meanwhile, made an incredible last-ditch run for the playoffs in League Two last season and look set for a similar fate this time around.

7 Player Selection

Formation to start the season: 1-2-2-2

Goalkeeper

Ted Sharman-Lowe — new signing for Doncaster between the sticks and looks likely to grab the starting spot to start the season. Strong chance of a clean sheet at home to an Accrington side that lost 2-1 to Northern Premier League side Lancaster in their final friendly.

Defenders

Ibou Touray — powerful left wingback for Stockport who contributed nine assists in League Two last season. As good a chance of a clean sheet as there is of attacking returns.

Junior Firpo — one of the outstanding fullbacks in the Championship, with seven assists for Leeds last season. Same as Touray regarding both clean sheets and attacking returns.

Midfielders

Luke Molyneux — Doncaster’s wide man who had made 17 goal contributions (9 goals, 8 assists) last season, and could have a field day against Accrington.

Callum O’Hare — new Blades signing looks set to start the campaign in a more attacking system under Chris Wilder. Likely to be one of the key players if Sheffield United want to get promoted back at the first attempt.

Forwards

Georginio Rutter (captain) — one of the outstanding forwards across the three divisions, albeit has been impacting in a slightly deeper number ten role. Only six goals last season, but contributed 16 assists, and with the departure of Crysencio Summerville will have expectations of adding more to his goal tally.

Emmanuel Latte Lath — one of the early favourites for the golden boot, Latte Lath scored 16 goals for an eighth-placed Middlesbrough side who are aiming higher this season.

2 TEAM SELECTION

I want to avoid all of the league favourites early on, due to the limited number of times you can pick a team in a season. Therefore I’m going to back Doncaster to win at home to Accrington (and hope they score 2+ and keep a clean sheet for added bonus!), and Blackpool away at Crawley (to try and gain some bonus away win points).

GW1 Team Selection PICTURED

Sharman-Lowe; Touray, Firpo; O’Hare, Molyneux; Rutter, Latte Lath. Doncaster & Blackpool to Win.

What do you think of my team selection? Share your thoughts on social media or in the comments section down below.

Disclaimer: there’s a chance I may make changes to my selection ahead of the deadline, with any changes likely due to early team news or eleventh hour injury information. To stay updated on my final draft, go and follow my locked team selections over on Twitter/X at @jamie_castle96.