Bradford City hit three past Newport County to bring gameweek 9 to a close on Monday night, with popular Fantasy EFL asset, Andy Cook (F) back amongst the goals, so there is every chance that late comers may have climbed the rankings if they backed the Bantams talisman (make sure to check here!)

With all the matches now concluded, and some additional form info from fixtures in the midweek English National League Trophy, we can evaluate the full gameweek and assess which clubs and players stood out the most, and which (if any) of the League One or League Two assets you may want to bring into gameweek 10.

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Lesson One: Blades remain unbeaten after gameweek 9

Incredibly, Sheffield United are still unbeaten after nine weeks of thrilling Championship action. If Chris Wilder had to prove why he was worthy of the Blades dugout spot after last season's Premier League misery, he has certainly done that in spades! His side currently sit in second place in the Championship standings with six wins and three draws, and had they had not started on a -2 point deficit, they would be sitting atop the table.

In gameweek 9, the Blades secured a 2-0 victory against Luton Town in front of their home faithful at Bramall Lane. It was a convincing performance from the home side, but none played better than midfielder Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (M), who proved to be one of the best differential options across all three divisions. The Crystal Palace loanee secured both goals (+12) in the fixture, but was backed by so few managers it didn’t even register as a percentage! We’d expect his ownership to increase when the Blades face Leeds United after the international break…

The Blades backline was rather more supported, and rightly so, the Blades have now secured six consecutive clean sheets in the Championship, which means backing their defenders can almost guarantee a clean sheet bonus (+5). Of all the defensive assets, the best performer was Anel Ahmedhodzic (D) with ten points secured for his Fantasy owners, courtesy of an assist (+3), a clean sheet (+5) and three clearances (+1), although he did also pick up a yellow card (-1). Defensive teammate Harry Souttar (D) was also a solid asset, returning nine points thanks to his defensive contributions.

Sheffield United are also a great choice as a club pick, securing the maximum nine points achievable for a home win, by scoring 2+ goals and keeping a clean sheet against the Hatters. Do remember though, you only get five picks per team so it is advisable to save the ‘big-hitters’ for a double (or treble) gameweek - the next one coming up in gameweek 11.

Lesson Two: Canaries unbeaten in four matches

After an uncertain start, Norwich City are starting to look a real threat in the Championship. They have been hard to break down, but pose an even greater threat at the top end of the pitch, putting four past Hull City, and no-one’s looking much more attractive as an attacking asset than Borja Sainz (F). In the double gameweek, the Spaniard highlighted his attacking prowess with three goals (+15) against newcomers Derby County. In gameweek 9 he added another goal to his tally of the season, alongside two assists (+6). Sainz is a player that should certainly be targeted by Fantasy EFL managers when the Championship campaign returns after the international break.

Their defensive players are also worth a closer look. Callum Doyle (D) provided another promising defensive display when they beat the Tigers, securing a clean sheet bonus (+5), but also offered an attacking threat, contributing with one assist (+3) in the match. He has 50 points to his name in Fantasy EFL and is emerging as a great differential.

As a club pick, Norwich City have returned 45 points, but their upcoming DGW11 fixtures of Stoke City (A) and Preston North End (A) could be very attractive.

Lesson Three: Birmingham City suffer first defeat in League One

Birmingham went into gameweek 9 undefeated, whereas Charlton failed to secure any points in their previous three ties - so most Fantasy EFL managers would have expected the Blues to breeze past The Addicks… suffice to say they would’ve been disappointed, as the match ended with a 1–0 victory for the home side.

Much backed Jay Stansfield (F) recorded his worst performance from a Fantasy EFL perspective, with only two points secured in the match, the first time he’s blanked since he arrived in the side.

Given this stumble, the double gameweek 11 away trips to Lincoln City and Bolton Wanderers look even more challenging, so we find ourselves slightly less keen on picking their players or the team next week.

Lesson Four: Pay attention to both home and away form

It is crucial to assess both home and away form separately when making your club selections and few teams exemplify this better than Watford.

Tom Cleverley has displayed his strengths in his first managerial role, securing another home victory against a strong Middlesbrough side in gameweek 9, bringing their total unbeaten run to 11 matches at Vicarage Road.

However, their recent away form looks comparatively poor, a 3-0 defeat to a struggling Preston North End following on from a 4-1 defeat to Norwich City at Carrow Road in GW7..

If Watford’s away form was as good as their home then they would be heading into the international break top of the Championship table, as it is we’d advise you to steer well clear for the time being, especially with their DGW11 fixtures against Luton and Leeds!

Lesson Five: Wrexham back to winning ways

After two successive defeats on the road in DGW8, Wrexham managed to return to winning ways in gameweek 9, with a convincing 4-1 victory against Northampton Town for Phil Parkinson’s side. 

The return to the Racecourse Ground could not have come at a better time and their home faithful were certainly not left disappointed this time round as the Red Dragons smashed four past the Cobblers to close the gap on League One leaders Birmingham to just two points.

Wrexham’s James McClean (M) provided a midfield masterclass, managing to secure the highest sum of fantasy points in gameweek 9, with 20 to his name. The Irishman scored two goals (+12) and one assist (+3), to prove pivotal to his side’s success and a big boost for the  0.2% of Fantasy EFL managers who backed him. Although Wrexham aren’t in action this week, he’ll certainly be added to the assets we’re considering for DGW11 fixtures against Rotherham and Huddersfield.

A much changed side also triumphed against Wolves Under 21s in the National League Trophy, most notable for the fact it saw the return of a familiar name to the scoresheet in the form of Paul Mullin (F). The Wrexham talisman who has been out through injury for much of the season so far, and only played cameo roles since his return was considered fit to start and feature for the majority of the match…another one to add to the watchlist?

Lesson Six: Keep one eye on the cups!

Whilst we shouldn’t draw too many league conclusions from Tuesday night’s EFL Trophy results, given the number of changes made at this stage of the competition, it does nevertheless serve as a free extra indicator of club form and insight into a few players.

Morecambe have been struggling at the foot of the League Two table and not managed a win (or indeed many goals) all season, but a 4-2 victory against Nottingham Forest U21s in the cup, on the back of a recent run of four draws does suggest the club could be slowly turning the corner ahead of this weekend’s game against table-topping Barrow…who themselves notably lost 3-0 to Fleetwood Town in the same competition.

Elsewhere Crewe secured yet another clean sheet, Birmingham City (without Stansfield, but with May) got back to winning ways in a 4-0 demolition of Shrewsbury Town in which their midfielders stole the headlines - none more so than 2-goal Scott Wright (M).

Elsewhere, both AFC Wimbledon and rivals MK Dons celebrated cup victories, the latter squeaking past Arsenal U21s on penalties after a 1-1 draw, and the former scoring four to pip Crawley Town.

Notts County fell to a second defeat in a row after surrendering 2-0 to Northampton Town, whilst elsewhere there were wins for Peterborough United (2-0 vs Stevenage), Lincoln City (2-1 away to Grimsby Town), Huddersfield Town (2-0 vs Barnsley), Rotherham (3-1 vs Newcastle Utd U21s), Wigan Athletic (overcoming Carlisle 2-0), Tranmere (pipping Accrington Stanley 2-1) and Swindon Town (who smashed Bristol Rovers 4-0).

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.