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 21 Set Piece Takers
Arsenal
Same situation as previous weeks with Martinelli and Saka starting and taking corners. Smith-Rowe off the bench also took 1. Odegaard on free kicks and took 1 cross.
Aston Villa
McGinn and Luiz split corners (3 each) just like normal, but Targett also did get 1. McGinn took Villa's 1 free kick of the game. New signings will likely factor in quite a bit to set pieces going forward. Digne will likely mean less starts for Targett and less lefty set pieces for McGinn. Coutinho will likely mean less righty set pieces for Luiz. It will be interesting to see how the XI and set pieces shake out after a few games.
Brentford
In the 1st game of their DGW, Jensen started and took all 3 corners. In the 2nd game of the DGW, Janelt started and took 1 corner and 1 free kick. Other than that, Ghoddos had 1 corner in a substitute appearance.
Brighton
Once again, Mac Allister dominated set pieces and had all 5 corners (from both sides of the field). No free kicks for Brighton here. With Bissouma at AFCON and Mwepu hurt, will Gross finally break back into the starting lineup though?
Burnley
McNeil and Westwood split corners and Cornet took 1 direct free kick, resulting in a goal! With Chris Wood likely off to Newcastle, there's 1 less aerial target for the set piece takers.
Chelsea
Mount and Alonso split corners vs Liverpool, each taking inswingers from their respective sides. They also each got direct free kicks, with 2 of Alonso's on target.
Crystal Palace
Hughes and Milivojevic both started, both took 4 corners, and subbed off in the second half. On came Olise who took 3 free kicks (2 crosses, 1 shot). Mili also had 2 free kicks while he was on the pitch. Neither Gallagher or Eze saw the field in this one.
Everton
Gray and Gordon split corners evenly (4 each) and Gray took their 1 free kick (an inaccurate cross). Townsend has returned to fitness and will likely take corner duty back from Gordon (and potentially also his starting spot). Potential new signing El Ghazi could also factor in when he starts.
Leicester City
Did not play, as games were postponed
Leeds
As normal Raphinha and Dallas split corners (7 to 1 though this time). Klich took 1 short corner. Dallas took their 1 free kick (an inaccurate cross).
Liverpool
With Robertson still suspended, Alexander-Arnold and Tsimikas split corners and there were no free kicks
Manchester City
KDB took 4 corners and Mahrez took 1 corner and 1 free kick. Foden was not involved and Gundogan came off the bench.
Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes did not start this week but United did not have any set pieces before he substituted on. After he came on, he took 100% of them including 3 corners (all outswingers from Shaw's usual side) as well as 1 free kick shot on target, that Jose Sa saved well. This could be a tactical anomaly, or it could spell trouble for Shaw going forward. One to watch.
Newcastle
Did not play, as games were postponed. Trippier took set pieces in the mid week game, including some corners and free kicks with Ritchie, Jonjo, and Fraser all on the field so he figures to factor in big-time.
Norwich City
With Gilmour out for multiple weeks, and Rashica back in, Placheta and Rashica each got 1 corner and the former had 1 free kick.
Southampton
JWP all day. 5 corners and 1 free kick cross, including 1 assist to the noggin of Bednarek.
Tottenham
Son took everything including 7 corners and 2 free kick crosses. However, he's set to miss significant time going forward so it will be interesting to see who steps up. We know that if he gets the starts Lo Celso is generally first in line. But if he doesn't we may see some combination of Hojbjerg, Reguilon, and Bergwijn taking sets, although the latter looks set to leave the club.
Watford
Louza appears to be the new dominant set piece taker when he plays, taking all 3 corners and 2 free kicks crosses for the Bees. Pedro got their 1 direct free kick. Cleverley and Cucho Hernandez did not see much time. Hard to see Louza starting too frequently going forward though, considering all the new signings.
West Ham
Bowen took their 1 corner and Lanzini took their 1 free kick (accurately) in their first game of the DGW. In their 2nd, Bowen had 5 corners, Fornals 4, and Cresswell 1. Cresswell took their sole free kick. None for Lanzini.
Wolves
Moutinho and Trincao split set pieces down the middle each taking 4 corners and 1 free kick cross. Trincao has been in and out of the lineup and set piece takers depth chart this season, so it'll be interesting to see if he sticks after an impressive win against United. Saiss took their 1 direct free kick shot.
Things to Watch Out For From This Week
Who will take set pieces for Spurs with Son out?
How will Coutinho and Digne factor into Villa's set piece taker equation?
Will Trippier have a near set-piece monopoly?
Is KDH here to stay and will he keep taking right-sided, left-footed corners over Maddison?
How will Watford's situation shake out?
Things to Watch Out For From Previous Weeks
With Reece James out, will Mount have a near monopoly going forward? No, Alonso will split
Will Gross stay out of the lineup, and will Mac Allister stay in it with a near monopoly? Yes!
Has Shelvey lost corners or only a 1 week blip? So it seems, Trippier further hurts.
Will Greenwood or Bruno get corners again? Bruno has as the pendulum swings back his way.
How long will usual Everton set piece takers be out for, and will Gordon be rosterable in the mean time as a result? Yes, but Townsend has now returned, so TBD
Will Olise or Eze ever start for Palace and have priority over Hughes, Mili and Gallagher for set pieces? TBC but not yet
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