EFL Fantasy Gameweek 16: Suggested picks, teams, captain and differentials

A mammoth Gameweek 16 is on the agenda in EFL Fantasy with a total of 46 clubs in double gameweek action.

The Championship and a vast number of League One sides return to action following the November international break and the matches are set to come thick and fast as we approach a congested December period.

We've detailed the players and teams to consider for Gameweek 16 of EFL Fantasy.

Goalkeepers to consider

Michael Cooper (Sheffield United)

Fixtures: Coventry City (A), Oxford United (H)

Just the seven goals conceded from 15 Championship matches and with three clean sheets in his previous four appearances, Michael Cooper is an enticing selection between the sticks.

The underlying numbers attest to Sheffield United's resilience having faced the second fewest shots on target and Cooper has been dependent when called into action, boasting the highest save percentage in the Championship (82.1%).

He will likely be occupied on the visit to managerless Coventry City but it's the visit of Oxford United which presents an opportunity to haul, with the Blades only conceding twice at Bramall Lane this season and the U's winless on their travels.

Defenders to consider

Max Cleworth (Wrexham)

Fixtures: Exeter City (H), Lincoln City (H)

Cleworth is an invaluable member of a staunch Wrexham rearguard and Phil Parkinson's side, who possess the best home record in the division, return to the STōK Cae Ras for an attractive double header.

The young central defender has tallied 35 clearances, 16 tackles and 5 blocks in 11 appearances for the Dragons this term, providing him with an average of 7.8 points per game.

Wrexham have only conceded four on home turf and encounter an Exeter outfit who are better known for their defensive solidity instead of attacking prowess, ranking 17th for goals per match (1.0) and 16th for xG (14.1).

Lincoln have failed to score in two of their last three away matches, which coincidentally includes a goalless draw away at Exeter in their last outing.

Pascal Struijk (Leeds United)

Fixtures: Swansea City (A), Luton Town (H)

Leeds United's defensive numbers are mightily impressive and Struijk has been at the heart of Daniel Farke's backline.

The Belgian defender has amassed 52 clearances and 14 tackles in a Whites outfit whose xGA of 8.4 is comfortably the best in the division, and that's reflective in their goals conceded column having recorded nine clean sheets, which is the joint-highest in the league.

Swansea have found goals in scarce supply this season having blanked in eight of their 15 league matches, while Luton's woes on the road are well-documented with a return of four points and five goals scored in seven away league matches.

Ricardo Santos (Bolton Wanderers)

Fixtures: Blackpool (H), Cambridge United (A)

Though inconsistency has blighted Bolton this term, Santos has remained a constant scorer and Ian Evatt's side are presented with two fixtures that they need to be winning if they're to mount any credible push towards the top six.

Only EFL Fantasy stalwarts Anthony O'Connor and Mickey Demetriou have tallied more clearances than the Trotters centre-back and Blackpool's recent struggles in front of goal are of encouragement to a Bolton defence that should be performing better.

Santos is also a threat at the other end of the pitch and Blackpool rank fifth for set-piece goals conceded. A visit to the Abbey Stadium beckons on Tuesday night and Cambridge, despite their recent upturn in form, remain one of the league's lowest scorers.

Midfielders to consider

Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough)

Fixtures: Oxford United (A), Blackburn Rovers (H)

Finn Azaz is a statistical dream.

Not only is the Irishman top of the assists chart in the Championship, but the Middlesbrough creator ranks near the summit in a variety of metrics including goal-creating actions, passes into penalty area, shots on target and key passes.

It's taken a while for Azaz to yield the returns from his playmaking duties but the 24-year-old recorded two double digit point hauls against QPR and Luton Town. With encouraging fixtures against Oxford and Blackburn to come, he can hit the ground running following the international break.

Luca Connell (Barnsley)

Fixtures: Wigan Athletic (H), Reading (H)

After toiling between the selection of Connell or his Barnsley team-mate Adam Phillips, I've sided with the former given the interception value he offers.

Phillips is the main creator - he could have easily had a major haul against Cambridge with the glut of chances that fell his way - but Connell is also an effective operator in the final third, tallying four assists.

Connell's complimented his attacking product with 18 interceptions and the 23-year-old is expected to return to the heart of the midfield after serving a one-match suspension.

Harrison Burrows (Sheffield United)

Fixtures: Coventry City (A), Oxford United (H)

A left-back that's classed as a midfielder in EFL Fantasy, Burrows has found his feet at Bramall Lane since a summer switch from Peterborough United.

The 22-year-old delivered a substantial 25 points across two matches in Gameweek 13 and prior to that, he'd scored no fewer than five points between Gameweek 3 and 8.

A valued member of an impenetrable Sheffield United defensive unit, Burrows' attacking tendencies ensure he provides value in both the interceptions and key passes department.

Forward to consider

Nathan Lowe (Walsall)

Fixtures: AFC Wimbledon (A), Bromley (H)

Stoke City forward Lowe is enjoying a scintillating loan spell at the Bescot Stadium and the striker can add to his tally of seven goals.

Walsall have been one of the league's entertainers with the joint-second highest number of goals scored and not only has Lowe demonstrated his marksmanship, but the 19-year-old has proven he can create as well with four assists.

Averaging 0.80 xG per 90, Lowe has scored five goals in his previous five outings and now faces two inviting fixtures against AFC Wimbledon, who have kept one clean sheet in their previous five fixtures, and the visit of Bromley, with the Saddlers in fine fettle in front of goal on home soil.

Captain picks

1. Pascal Struijk (Leeds United)
2. Luca Connell (Barnsley)
3. Nathan Lowe (Walsall)

Club picks

Barnsley
Fixtures: Wigan Athletic (H), Reading (H)

Though they were thwarted by Cambridge United last time out, Barnsley are coming on strong under Darrell Clarke and are unbeaten in their last five league matches.

The Tykes have drawn one too many matches at Oakwell but the visits of Wigan and Reading, two sides who have only won once away from home this season, presents an opportunity to make ground on the leading pack.


Wrexham
Fixtures: Exeter City (H), Lincoln City (H)

It's so difficult to ignore Wrexham's home form and despite the blip away at Stockport County a fortnight ago, the Dragons have demonstrated great resilience in the past when responding to setbacks.

They have won six from seven at the STōK Cae Ras, conceding just four goals in that period and a clean sheet could be in the offing against both Exeter and Lincoln.


Birmingham City
Fixtures: Shrewsbury Town (A), Exeter City (A)

Birmingham stuttered prior to the international break with a score draw against Northampton and the League One promotion favourites will be eager to atone with two away fixtures, which presents a maximum of 22 points on offer.

The Blues encounter struggling Shrewsbury and though the Shropshire outfit will be buoyed by the arrival of Gareth Ainsworth, the visitors should have too much quality.

A trip to St James Park is a sterner test on paper but Gary Caldwell's men are not invincible on home soil.

Differentials

Joe Low (Wycombe Wanderers - Defender - Ownership: 0.1%)

Wycombe are the form team of League One and Low has been instrumental in a Chairboys side that have kept three consecutive clean sheets.

Jamie Jellis (Walsall - Midfielder - Ownership: 0.8%)

Whether it's scoring goals, conjuring opportunities or making interceptions, Jellis has all three in his locker and the midfielder will be key in fixtures against AFC Wimbledon and Bromley.

Ethan Erhahon (Lincoln City - Midfielder - Ownership: 0.3%)

Defensive midfielder Erhahon has been a beacon of consistency for Lincoln and on EFL Fantasy, averaging two interceptions per match. He'll likely be extremely occupied again in clashes against Wycombe and Wrexham.

Tomoki Iwata (Birmingham City - Midfielder - Ownership: 0.1%)

Most Birmingham assets are locked in on EFL Fantasy but Iwata could prove a shrewd pick. The former Celtic midfielder possesses a goal threat and is equally effective at protecting his backline.

Tom Cannon (Stoke City - Forward - Ownership: 0.8%)

The Potters forward encounters struggling QPR before the visit of Preston and penalty taker Cannon has unearthed his goalscoring touch under Narcis Pelach.