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 9 Set Piece Takers
Arsenal
With Pepe not featuring and Odegaard only coming off the bench, Smith Rowe and Saka split corners. Thomas Partey nodded in one of Smith Rowe's corners to grab his goal for Arsenal. Aubameyang's penalty was saved by Martinez but it was a solid effort and he's unlikely to lose duties. Odegaard had a free-kick shot.
Aston Villa
Once again, Buendia took no set pieces despite starting. Luiz, McGinn and Targett shared duties and substitute Bailey, who was subbed on at half time, had a free-kick shot but, given 3 out of Villa's 4 corners were after half time, it looks like he won't be on corner duty.
Brentford
Jensen continues to dominate set pieces, with Brentford's only goal coming from one of his corners. Mbeumo still got a couple but one of those was a short corner pass to Jensen. Janelt remains out but I expect Jensen to maintain control of set pieces when he starts.
Brighton
Just one corner and a 72nd minute substitution looks like a disaster for those of us who have Gross on our rosters. But Brighton were favouring outswingers in this game and the majority of their corners came from the left, which meant the left-footed March took 5. The lack of corners isn't a concern but let's hope that the early substitution isn't an indicator of future rotation. Mac Allister came on for Gross and scored a penalty but likely remains behind Maupay and Gross in the pecking order.
Burnley
Although he only took one corner, it now looks like we have sufficient evidence to suggest that Cornet has priority over McNeil for left-footed corners. Westwood took the other corner and also 3 free-kick crosses.
Chelsea
Mount was back in the starting lineup but only took one (short) corner, not that fantasy managers would have cared about that. All the other corners were from the right side, which meant Chilwell took them, although two of them were short corners. With Jorginho subbed off and no Lukaku in the squad, Mount took the penalty and (eventually) scored.
Crystal Palace
One corner each for Milivojevic, McArthur, and Gallagher, but Milivojevic had been subbed off when the latter two took theirs. Olise and Milivojevic took a free-kick cross each.
Everton
Townsend took all 3 corners (all from the right). Digne created two chances from the three free-kick crosses he took. Gray also took a free-kick cross.
Leicester City
Has Maddison reclaimed control of Leicester set pieces? It's probably too early to tell as the Foxes only had two this GW, but Tielemans only took one after Maddison had been subbed off. More positive signs for the weary masses who drafted Maddison.
Leeds
It was a huge GW for Rodrigo, who scored 25.5 in Fantrax Default Scoring, with 14 of those coming from set pieces (a penalty, a key pass, and an ACNC). All of his four corners came after Raphinha was forced off due to injury (and after Harrison was subbed off) so this isn't likely to become a trend. Dallas created two chances from his three free-kick crosses.
Liverpool
Alexander-Arnold and Robertson split set pieces once again.
Manchester City
in KdB's absence, Foden took the most set pieces (3 corners, 1 free kick cross), with Gundogan (2 corners) and Bernardo (1 corner) helping out. Cancelo had a free kick shot.
Manchester United
Shaw was the only player who started who took a set piece (3 corners). Dalot took 2 corners and 1 free-kick cross in his 28 minutes, while Pogba managed to squeeze in a corner in his cameo appearance. Nothing for Bruno for the first time since GW4.
Newcastle
All 7 corners and 1 free-kick for set piece maestro Ritchie, who is getting over a third of his FPts from dead ball situations. Just the 1 free-kick cross for Fraser. Keep an eye out for Shelvey in the starting XI in GW10 as he could steal a couple.
Norwich City
Norwich had zero set pieces this GW.
Southampton
Redmond continued to prosper in the absence of JWP, with 6 set pieces (one of which resulted in an assist). Perraud took a corner.
Tottenham
All Son this week. 4 corners.
Watford
Cucho looks like he could be a beneficiary of the regime change, with an assist coming from one of his 3 corners. Masina and Tufan both took a corner and free-kick cross each. Rose and Cleverley both did not start.
West Ham
Not a lot to fight over for the Hammers this week, but they made them count. Just the one corner each for Cresswell and Bowen, plus a free-kick cross for Cresswell, but the only goal of the game came from Cresswell's corner.
Wolves
2 corners for Moutinho and 1 for Podence off the bench. Ait-Nouri took a free-kick cross. No Neves this week. Trincao did not play.
Things to Watch Out For From This Week
Can Cucho keep a majority of set pieces?
Will Maddison take more set pieces off Tielemans?
Was Bruno's lack of set pieces just a blip?
Things to Watch Out For From Previous Weeks
Will Pepe continue starting for Arsenal and thus take set pieces away from Odegaard? We could be without both of them going forward, and Smith-Rowe and Saka would prosper.
Will McGinn stay on corners for Aston Villa? And will Buendia stay off them? Yes and yes
Will Cornet be involved in set pieces going forward? Most likely
Is Podence the preferred corner taker over Moutinho? Still need to see him start
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