Set pieces are an incredibly important part of football, with between 25% and 33% of goals scored coming from a set piece. They are equally important in Fantrax EPL, and in these articles we will highlight the trends in set pieces that will lead to player value fluctuation.
Be sure to check out our other Inner Circle features, including the Fixture Difficulty Tracker and Weekly Projections.
Check out @DraftLad's article on why set pieces matter so much and our Set Piece Tracker for more set piece data.
Gameweek 7 Set Piece Takers
Arsenal
In the absence of Pepe in the starting XI, Odegaard took Arsenal's sole corner before he subbed off. On came Pepe and he proceeded to take 4 of their remaining corners. With Odegaard off the pitch, Partey took 1 direct free kick shot.
Aston Villa
Douglas Luiz took most of Villa's corners (4) from both sides, before Buendia stepped on the pitch. Buendia then proceeded to take 2 corners, 1 from each side. McGinn and Cash also each took 1 short corner. No free kicks in this one.
Brentford
With Janelt injured in the pre-game warmups, Canos commanded set pieces, taking 2 corners and 1 free kick to start the game. However, on came Mathias Jensen for the injured Baptiste in the 30th minute and he proceeded to take corners from both sides and the 2 remaining free kicks (crosses). Mbeumo took Brentford's sole direct shot from a free kick. If Jensen can manage to stick in the starting lineup (doubtful with Janelt healthy) it looks as if he'd have a near set-piece monopoly.
Brighton
Gross resumed his near monopoly on Brighton's set pieces, taking corners on both sides(6) and a free kick. Cucurella and March each also took 1 free kick, and MacAllister took 1 free kick late in the game after subbing on.
Burnley
Like usual Westwood and McNeil split set pieces evenly, with both taking corners and free kick crosses. McNeil took the 1 direct free kick shot of the match, unlike last match where Brownhill shot.
Chelsea
Chilwell took all 7 of Chelsea's corners and they did not have any free kicks. Of course Alonso did not start, and neither did Reece James, Mount, or Ziyech, all players who could factor into the equation if Chilwell continues to start.
Crystal Palace
Once again Milovojevic took Crystal Palace's set pieces (2 free kicks) and Gallagher got 0. Interestingly, Olise also took 1 corner after subbing on. If he gets the nod in the coming weeks, Olise is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Everton
Demarai Gray took Everton's only corner of the game, and Digne and Townsend each crossed from free kicks. It appears that Gray has taken over as Everton's right footed corner taker, cutting into both the other previously mentioned specialists.
Leicester City
The balance shifted for Leicester this week with Tielemans taking most of the corners and free kicks instead of Bertrand (who played all 90). The sole exception was a corner taken by James Maddison after subbing on. Similarly to last week, if Maddison can manager to make his way back into the starting XI, he may just resume set piece duties, and thus regain his fantasy floor!
Liverpool
As expected, Milner and Robertson split corners and free kick crosses in the absence of Trent from the lineup. Salah took Liverpool's only direct shot from a free kick.
Leeds
Raphinha and Dallas again split corners for Leeds, each taking 1 side of the pitch. Raphinha and Phillips took Leeds' free kicks in the game.
Manchester City
Set pieces were a mess for City this week with KDB, Foden, Grealish, and Bernardo Silva all taking 1 corner and Kyle Walker taking a free kick shot. Foden and KDB each crossed in 1 free kick. No Gundogan minutes in this one, but he should be back in GW8, with Mahrez also potentially getting the nod and consequential set piece involvement.
Manchester United
Bruno and Shaw split corners evenly, each taking one side of the field. Greenwood has fully lost his corner kick duties when those two are on the pitch. No free kicks for United in GW7.
Newcastle
Ritchie took all of Newcastle's corners (both sides) and 2 of their 5 free kicks (crosses and shots). Longstaff interestingly took 3 free kicks in GW7 (both crosses and shots). Murphy and Jonjo Shelvey were still out of the starting lineup, but Shelvey may be back soon to eat into Ritchie's set pieces.
Norwich City
Mathias Normann again took corners for Norwich, this time from both sides of the fields. He also had 2 free kicks for a near monopoly in GW7. Giannoulis had the only other set piece, a crossed free kick.
Southampton
JWP once again had a full monopoly taking all of Southampton's corners, free kicks, and even a penalty. But (!) he also got a red card and is likely to miss 3 upcoming games. If you've been paying attention to our mid week articles, Redmond took most of the set pieces when JWP was off the field in a cup game. We think Redmond, and then Perraud (if he starts) are most likely to prosper in JWP's absence, but definitely one to monitor as some Southampton player will likely become far more viable with a new set piece floor. Who takes penalties is anyone's guess.
Tottenham
Son and Lo Celso split Spurs’ corners, with Spurs taking the one crossed free kick of the match. Kane had 2 shots (both on target) from free kicks as he holds down that role from short-range.
Watford
Without Cleverley starting, Danny Rose took the majority of set pieces for Watford (2 of 3 corners and their only free kick). Tufan also took 1 corner and should be expected to split with Rose going forward.
West Ham
Cresswell took 9 of 10 of the Hammer's corners with Fornals taking the other for his first of the season. Benrahma took the sole free kick shot of the game, and he looks to be squarely in the driver's seat for those after taking a few over the last couple weeks.
Wolves
Wolves only had 1 set piece all game, and that was Ruben Neves's cross from a free kick. He did take it with both Trincao and Moutinho starting, which is slightly interesting.
Things to Watch Out For From This Week
Who will take corners and free kicks in JWP's absence?
Will Olise take set pieces over Milivojevic when he starts?
Can Buendia or Jensen make their way into their team?
Things to Watch Out For From Previous Weeks
Has Digne lost corners? Yes, to Townsend and Gray
Can Gallagher keep hold of set pieces? No Milivojevic & Olise are preferred, and potentially Eze
Will Shaw keep taking corners from both sides? Now appears to be him on 1 side, Bruno on the other
Will Bertrand continue to dominate set pieces when on the pitch? Not anymore! Tielemans and maybe Maddison may have taken control for now
Will Janelt continue to command Brentford set pieces? Likely yes, unless Jensen also starts
Will Douglas Luiz continue to take set pieces with and without Buendia on the pitch? Without yes, with likely no
Will Mount take more set pieces in the absence of Reece James? TBD but our money is on yes
Will Maddison take any more corners/set pieces while on the pitch? Took another in GW8, tide might be turning
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