Fantasy football isn’t just about picking the best players—it’s about picking the right players. And one of the most overlooked but crucial factors in fantasy football is set-piece responsibility. A player’s ability to take penalties, free kicks, and corners can turn an average fantasy pick into a point-scoring machine. Let’s dive into why set-piece takers are so valuable and how you can use this knowledge to dominate your league.
Penalties = Easy Points
Penalties are one of the most reliable sources of fantasy points. It’s a literal tap in. A team might only get a few per season, but when they do, you want the right player in your squad to capitalize. A midfielder or defender who takes penalties instantly becomes more valuable than one who doesn’t, it’s as simple as that. Remember Kane and Toney? Goals from 12 yards became a speciality. Really in the simplest sense a pen is the best chance a player has at scoring a goal.
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) – A midfielder with penalties? Fantasy gold.
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – Set-piece king, including penalties.
- Erling Haaland (Man City) – As if he needed more reasons to score.
✔ Tip: Always check who takes penalties for each team before finalizing your squad.
Free Kick Specialists: Extra Goals & Assists
Some players may not be prolific from open play, but if they’re dead-ball specialists, their fantasy value skyrockets. James Ward-Prowse is only a few goals from dead balls shy from David Beckham’s freekick record. Who also doesn’t love a good free kick banger, actually let me share a compilation to get them juices flowing. Wait for the Matt Le Tissier beauty.
Why Free Kick Takers Are Fantasy Assets
Direct Free Kick Goals: A well-placed free kick instantly adds fantasy points—sometimes from unexpected players.
Assists from Set-Pieces: Free kicks near the box often lead to assists, as teammates head them in.
Examples of EPL Free Kick Experts
- James Ward-Prowse (West Ham) – Elite dead-ball specialist, scores and assists from set-pieces.
- Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) – Master of direct and indirect free kicks, racks up assists.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) – Full-back with free kicks? Yes, please.
✔ Tip: When comparing two players, favour the one on free kicks, they’ll deliver consistent attacking returns even if they don’t score in open play.
Corner Kick Takers: The Assist Machines
Corners might not be as exciting as penalties or free kicks, but in fantasy football, every assist counts. Having a player who consistently takes corners means a higher chance of assists, especially if they’re feeding aerial threats like Erling Haaland, Virgil van Dijk or think basically modern day Stoke, aka Arsenal.A well-delivered corner can result in easy headed goals and even if they don’t score, corner takers rack up assists over the season.
Examples of Top EPL Corner Takers
- Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) – Deadly delivery, racks up assists.
- Bukayo Saka/Rice (Arsenal) – Key man for set-pieces, creates chances.
- Bruno Fernandes (Man United) – Always involved in attacking build-ups.
- James Maddison (Tottenham) – Creates plenty of goal-scoring opportunities.
✔ Tip: When choosing between similar midfielders, pick the one on corners for extra assists.
How to Use Set-Piece Knowledge to Win Your Fantasy League
Now that we’ve covered why set-piece takers are crucial, here’s how to apply this knowledge when building your Statrdraft squad. In early rounds, go for proven penalty takers who also deliver from free kicks. In mid rounds, target set-piece specialists who may not score much but rack up assists .In later rounds, look for hidden gems, players in mid-table teams who take set-pieces but aren’t as hyped.
Final Thoughts: Why Set-Piece Takers Are Essential in Statrdraft
Set-piece responsibility is a game-changer in fantasy football. It gives players:
✅ Consistent goal and assist potential
✅ Higher fantasy value even if their open-play stats are average
✅ An edge over similar players who don’t take set-pieces
In Statrdraft, where every player is uniquely owned, grabbing the right set-piece takers early can be the difference between winning your league or struggling in mid-table. Want to gain an edge? Start researching who’s on penalties, free kicks, and corners—and use this knowledge to build a winning squad. Join the Statrdraft revolution now at Statrdraft.com and draft your set-piece kings today!
Jon Harrison
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