Fantasy EFL: The top five Championship lessons we learned from gameweek 17

We’ve seen all Championship action played in Gameweek 17, as 33 goals were scored across 11 matches. Elsewhere, two League Two sides featured, including Fleetwood Town and Colchester United, the latter winning emphatically on Tuesday night with Fleetwood completing their double gameweek on Wednesday respectively. 

As for the other EFL sides, FA Cup action took precedent, and all other 46 EFL sides will face off across the two days. 

Here, we analyse the top five lessons we learnt from the weekend’s action. Although some of these could be added to following tonight and tomorrow’s matches, with a double gameweek on the horizon for all Championship sides, some of these ideas may shape your thinking heading into GW17. 

 

Lesson One: ‘offence is best defence’ for Norwich City

Johannes Hoff Thorup's approach for Norwich City embodies the old saying, "score more than you concede”. Last time out, the Canaries defeated Luton 4-2 at Carrow Road, going three games unbeaten with 25 total points in the Championship. In Fantasy EFL, they’ve scored 77 points, and despite only keeping two clean sheets (+4), they’ve scored 2+ goals nine times (+18). With 35 scored and 27 conceded so far, they’ve seen more league goals scored than any other side in England’s top four tiers this season. 

There’s no question they have one of the best attacks in the division, with 15 goals courtesy of number seven, Borja Sainz (F). The Spaniard has been sensational this campaign, and with three assists (+9) and two hat-tricks (+40) to his name, he leads the Fantasy EFL scoring with a monster 145 points. The second-highest scorer for Norwich on Fantasy, ironically, is defender Callum Doyle (D). The left-back has regularly featured at centre-half this season. Despite this, he’s banked 84 points, scoring one goal (+7) and providing five assists (+15), and has two double-digit hauls to his name. 

In DGW18, Norwich have two ties on the road, facing Queens Park Rangers and Portsmouth - who both sit in the relegation zone in 23rd and 24th-place. Both sides are unbeaten in three and two games respectively, but have still shipped 56 goals combined. 

Lesson Two: Burnley continues to impress 

Following their relegation from the Championship and new manager Scott Parker taking over, the Clarets have seen their defensive reinvigorated following their 78 goals shipped last season in the Premier League. 

Last time out, Burnley defeated Stoke City 0-2 away from home, courtesy of a Jay Rodriguez (F) tap-in (+5) and a Josh Brownhill (M) penalty (+6) at the bet365 Stadium. They kept their 12th clean sheet of the campaign, the joint-most of any side in England’s top four tiers this season, level with fellow Championship promotion rivals Sheffield United. In 18 matches, the Clarets have only conceded six goals, and have kept five clean sheets in a row. 

Leading the Fantasy EFL scoring is Maxime Estève (D), who has 117 points this campaign. The centre-back has 35 points in his previous four matches, contributing defensively in all outings. Despite not contributing offensively, the Frenchman is the only defender left from the Clarets that is yet to score less than three points in one match, returning every game. Club captain Josh Brownhill (M) came on as a substitute and scored a penalty, taking his tally to six goals and three assists in 17, totalling 106. 

 

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Up next, the Clarets take on Middlesbrough (H) and Derby County (H) in DGW18. While Boro have been free-scoring in recent weeks, the Rams haven’t blanked in front of goal since GW8. 

Lesson Three: Plymouth Argyle's defensive woes 

Wayne Rooney’s side have struggled all season following their survival last season in the Championship. Last time out, the Pilgrims lost 4-0 to Bristol City at Ashton Gate Stadium, and are just two points above the drop zone. In just two matches, they’ve shipped 10 goals away from home and scored one. They’ve now conceded 38 goals this term in 18 matches - more than any other side in the division. The 4-0 defeat to the Robins was their fourth league defeat by at least 4+ goals this season, twice as many as any other side in England’s top four tiers this campaign. 

Up next, Rooney’s side have back-to-back home matches at Home Park, facing Oxford United and Swansea City. While the U’s have just one point in four games, the Swans are unbeaten in two. The Pilgrims faithful will be hoping to see them record their fifth and sixth home wins, and have only lost once at Home Park this term, as Rooney’s job seemingly hangs in the balance.   

Lesson Four: Millwall’s impressive unbeaten run 

Although the Lions have drawn three consecutive games 1-1, Neil Harris’ side are just five points off the Play-Offs and are unbeaten in nine matches. Last time out, Japhet Tanganga (D) scored the opening goal of the game (+7), to help the visitors to a 1-1 draw at Oxford United. 

In double gameweek 18, they have back-to-back home ties at The Den, facing Coventry City and Sheffield United in front of their home faithful. Last season, the Sky Blues did the double over Millwall last season, which will give newly appointed Frank Lampard confidence in his second game in charge. However, against the Blades, the Lions won 3-2 in the 22/23 Championship season at The Den. Chris Wilder’s side are unbeaten in seven games, but this could hang in the balance. With WBA (A) and Millwall (A) up next, the South London side could be the ones to finally bring the run to an end.

Lesson Five: Hull City struggle 

Following Tim Walter's dismissal, Andy Dawson couldn't turn Hull City's fortunes around. Despite Mason Burstow's (F)  goal at Middlesbrough, the Tigers suffered a 3-1 defeat, extending their losing streak to five games. This dismal run, which began after GW8, has left them in a perilous position in a relegation battle with 15 points from 18 matches. 

The rumour mill continues to swirl around appointing a new coach ahead of the busy festive schedule. Recently-sacked Mark Robins is currently tipped as favourite to replace Dawson in the dugout, following his dismissal from the Sky Blues. 

Up next, Hull face Blackburn Rovers and Watford in two ties at The MKM Stadium. As the lowest-scoring club from the Championship on Fantasy with only 45 points, we’d look elsewhere as a club pick this week without a new manager bounce, given the lack of clean sheets (1) and goals scored (17). 

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.