Double gameweek 13 is nearly upon as, as Luton Town host West Bromwich Albion at Kenilworth Road on Friday eve in a Championship thriller. Fantasy EFL managers get to look forward to another double - 22 of 24 Championship sides play twice across the weekend and midweek, while four League One sides will play on Tuesday night. 

Need some inspiration for your DGW13 squad? Our expert picks highlight players poised for big performances. Our suggested DGW13 squad is a solid starting point, but be prepared to make changes based on unexpected developments and final team news. 

There has never been a better time to join Fantasy EFL if you haven’t signed up already. Equally, make sure to change your teams before this monumental week! 

Goalkeeper

Our goalkeeper pick for this week is Sheffield United’s Michael Cooper (G). The 25-year-old has just 2.2% ownership, despite scoring 59 points in 10 appearances for the Blades. Last time out, Cooper helped Chris Wilder’s side to their seventh clean sheet of the season (+5), making three saves in the process (+2), securing nine points against Stoke City (H). With fixtures against Blackburn Rovers (A) and Bristol City (A), who have only scored two goals combined in their previous two matches, at least one clean sheet looks locked for the Blades’ number one. 

Defenders

Sunderland’s Dennis Cirkin (D) has been sensational for the Black Cats this season, and is the highest-Fantasy scorer heading into dgw13. The 22-year-old has scored 98 points, helping Régis Le Bris’ side keep seven clean sheets (+35) in 12 appearances. The wing-back has also proven himself offensively, scoring once (+7) and providing three assists (+9) to team mates. With upcoming fixtures against Queens Park Rangers (A) and Preston North End (A), we’re expecting another haul across the two matches for Sunderland’s number three and more offensive returns. The R’s are winless in eight games, while the Lilywhites have drawn their previous two games. 

Our second pick goes to the ever-reliable Pascal Struijk (D) of Leeds United. The Whites’ vice-captain has returned 80 points in 12 appearances for Daniel Farke’s side, helping them keep seven clean sheets (+35). In his previous three fixtures, the 25-year-old has returned 27 points, making 10 clearances (+2), five tackles (+2), helping preserve two clean sheets (+10) and scoring his second goal of the season (+7) - his first from open play. Struijk's penalty-taking duties add value to his Fantasy potential. Their upcoming fixtures against Plymouth Argyle (H) and Millwall (A) are particularly enticing. Both teams have struggled to score recently, despite Plymouth drawing 3-3 in their last match, they blanked in the two fixtures prior to that. A clean sheet against the Pilgrims is highly probable, and defensive contributions are expected. 

Midfielders 

Completing our Sunderland double-up, Luke O’Nien (M) makes the selection - although we also fancy team mates Romaine Mundle (M) and Jobe Bellingham (M) to return. Even though Mundle probably has a higher ceiling, as noted in our line-up lessons in weeks previous, rotation can play a pivotal role for clubs in dgw’s. Therefore, with O’Nien nailed on every week in Le Bris’ side, he’s the favourite here. The 29-year-old has been playing at centre-back this season, and has therefore accumulated 17 interceptions (+34), where the majority of his points have come from. Despite this, he also has two goals (+12) and one assist (+3) to his name, and is always a threat from set-pieces. QPR have struggled defensively at home this season, conceding 10 of their 19 goals on their own turf. Preston, while showing signs of defensive improvement, have still conceded five goals in their last three games. Therefore, interception points and the potential of an O’Nien attacking return are prevalent. 

Completing our midfield, Watford’s Edo Kayembe (M) is another strong choice ahead of dgw13. The midfielder has been excellent for the Hornets, scoring five goals (+30) in 11 appearances, while also making four interceptions (+8) and nine key passes (+4). The number 39 returned seven points last time out against Blackburn (H), scoring from the penalty-spot (+6) and would’ve secured eight points, had he not been booked. Tom Cleverley's side face two winnable away games against struggling Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City. Wednesday, winless at home since late September, have conceded four goals in their last three home matches. Swansea, meanwhile, are on a six-game winless streak. Kayembe will be crucial if Watford are to secure their second and potentially third away win of the season.

Forwards

Following another masterclass in gameweek 12, Norwich City’s Borja Sainz (F) was the first name in our starting seven. The number seven has been the standout forward across the EFL so far this season, scoring 10 goal (+50) and providing two assists (+6) in just 12 appearances - a truly incredible record to kick-start his season. Last time out, Sainz scored a brace (+10) against Middlesbrough, helping the Canaries to a 3-3 draw at Carrow Road. Facing Cardiff City (A) and Sheffield Wednesday (A) in dgw13, The 23-year-old is expect to haul across both matches. Although the Bluebirds are unbeaten in five, both clubs have shipped 36 goals combined, and sit 20th and 13th in the table respectively. If the Canaries are to extend their seven-match unbeaten run, Sainz will play a crucial role. 

Wrapping up our player picks, Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto (F) makes the side. With two goals (+10) and four assists (+12) in 12 appearances, the Italian has been a key piece of Daniel Farke’s attacking jigsaw puzzle. Although the 20-year-old is one booking away from suspension, we’re holding out hope he avoids picking up a yellow against Plymouth (H) and features in both games! Targeting the Pilgrims fixture was vital - Wayne Rooney’s side have shipped 13 goals on their travels this season, including a 5-0 drumming against Cardiff (A) in gw11. We’re expecting a double-digit return from Gnonto to help the Whites to eight and nine games unbeaten. 

Club picks 

While we've saved our ‘powerhouse picks’, this week seems ideal to capitalise on dominant teams. We've chosen clubs with balanced fixtures - one home, one away - and a team with a double away fixture. Our target? A whopping 42 points!

Leeds United (H vs Plymouth Argyle, A vs Millwall) 

Leeds United are the clear standout among teams with a balanced fixture. They're facing off against out-of-form opponents and have a history of delivering. With 9% backing, they've racked up 79 points, including three perfect home performances and two dominant away displays. Their potential for a massive home win and a solid away victory at The Den is too good to pass up.

Sunderland (A vs QPR, A vs Preston North End) 

The Black Cats are a fantastic option this week, and stand out with two away matches and the upside of 22 points. They’re selected by 11.4%, and have scored 86 points so far this season - the highest-scoring club pick this gameweek! Similarly to Leeds, they’ve also scored 2+ goals eight times (+16), and have seven clean sheets (+35). We’re expecting at least one clean sheet, 2+ goals in both fixtures, and away wins, totalling 20 points, extending their unbeaten run! 

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.