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 18 Set Piece Takers
Arsenal
With Martinelli again starting over ESR still out of the startup lineup, we saw Martinelli taking right-footed corners (3 of them). Saka was again preferred to Odegaard on lefty corners and took 1. Arsenal only had 1 free kick, a direct one from substitute Cedric Soares
Aston Villa
Did not play, as game was postponed
Brentford
Did not play, as game was postponed
Brighton
Did not play, as game was postponed. Usual set piece taker Gross potentially has COVID, and in his absence March and Moder will be the primary benefactors.
Burnley
Did not play, as game was postponed
Chelsea
Mount took all 9 of Chelsea's corners, from both sides! Alonso, James, and Ziyech all had 0 as opposed to the last couple weeks where they were all at least somewhat involved. Reece James did take their 1 free kick cross.
Crystal Palace
Did not play, as game was postponed
Everton
Did not play, as game was postponed
Leicester City
Did not play, as game was postponed
Leeds
Leeds only had 1 set piece and it was a Dallas corner. Raphinha took and scored a penalty for the 3rd week in a row.
Liverpool
As almost always Alexander-Arnold and Robertson split set pieces. Outside of 1 of them missing time, that should always be the case. Which is now going to happen as Robertson will be suspended (for likely 2 EPL games and 1 cup game). The likely benefactor, based on previous games this season would be his direct replacement, Tsimikas (both left-footed).
Manchester City
With Foden out of the lineup, KDB was back on corners, taking 2, and Mahrez got the other 4. No free kicks.
Manchester United
Did not play, as game was postponed
Newcastle
With Shelvey out of the lineup (with injury, not illness), and Fraser and Ritchie in, they split corners (2 and 1 respectively) and Fraser took 2 free kick crosses.
Norwich City
Did not play, as game was postponed
Southampton
Did not play, as game was postponed
Tottenham
Son took all 6 corners as normal.
Watford
Did not play, as game was postponed
West Ham
Did not play, as game was postponed
Wolves
No Trincao or Ait-Nouri in the lineup. Moutinho took all 4 corners for Wolves. 0 for last week taker Marcal.
Things to Watch Out For From This Week
Will/have any previous set piece takers contract COVID, leading to changed situations going forward temporarily?
Will Mount continue to take corners from both sides?
Things to Watch Out For From Previous Weeks
Will Marcal continue to take corners (and start with Ait-Nouri) hurt? Likely a 1 time thing
How long will usual Everton set piece takers be out for, and will Gordon be rosterable in the mean time as a result? TBD
Will Lacazette take Arsenal's next penalty kick despite missing? TBD
Have Odegaard and Alonso lost corner-taking duties completely? Yes and probably yes
Will Jensen continue to start and take set pieces? TBD
Will Bruno continue to be more involved in corners under Rangnick? Yes, it seems likely
Will Fraser and Ritchie continue on the bench, leaving all sets to Jonjo Shelvey? Not anymore, with Shelvey, Lewis, and Manquillo out
Will Olise or Eze start for Palace and have priority over Mili and Gallagher for set pieces? TBC but not yet
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