The Scout’s series of articles on set-pieces continues with a look at teams who are vulnerable to conceding from dead-ball situations and how Fantasy Premier League managers can exploit this.
Newcastle United
Rafa Benitez’s men have allowed 46 scoring opportunities against them from corners and free-kicks, at least 10 more than any other side.
This has boosted the potential of their opponents in FPL.
Shots/goals conceded at set-pieces
| Team | Total shots | Headed shots | Total goals | Headed goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW | 46 | 17 | 5 | 2 |
| BHA | 36 | 11 | 2 | 1 |
| BUR | 36 | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| SOU | 36 | 15 | 6 | 2 |
| CAR | 32 | 10 | 5 | 3 |
| WHU | 32 | 10 | 3 | 1 |
Dead-ball deficiency
Indeed, 37 per cent of all shots faced by Newcastle have been from set-plays alone.
They have conceded five goals from set-pieces, a total that ranks them second from bottom.
Fantasy managers can look to exploit theses frailties by pinpointing opponents who boast an attacking threat from dead-ball situations.
The Leicester City duo of Harry Maguire (£5.5m) and James Maddison (£6.9m) recently took advantage of the Magpies’ set-piece struggles.
Maguire scored a header from Maddison’s corner in a 2-0 away win in Gameweek 7, the pair returning a combined 24 points at St James’ Park.
Southampton and Cardiff weakness
Southampton and Cardiff City’s defences have also proved a handy source of FPL points for opponents at dead-ball situations.
Saints have conceded six goals at free-kicks or corners, more than any side.
And Cardiff’s tally of three headed goals conceded at set-plays is also ranked bottom.
Mitrovic alert
The Bluebirds' vulnerability here could prove a significant factor in Gameweek 9, when they host Fulham, whose forward, Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.9m), has been a major threat in the air this season.
The Serb has scored three of his five goals from headers and no forward has surpassed his total of four headed efforts from set-pieces.
This suggests he can punish the Cardiff defence and add to his five-goal haul.
Also in this series
Part 1: Set-pieces: Trippier threat on the rise
Part 2: Set-pieces: Managers heading for points with Keane
Part 3: Set-pieces: Knockaert offers FPL value
Part 4: Set-pieces: Free-kicks boost Maddison in Fantasy
Part 5: Set-pieces: Mitrovic the standout forward
Part 6: Set-pieces: Deeney can be big aerial weapon
Part 8: Set-pieces: Salah can profit from Milner absence