FPL Set-Piece Strategy: Unlocking Success in 2026-27
The upcoming Premier League season promises an intriguing battle, with set-piece prowess emerging as a pivotal factor. This article delves into the evolving landscape of set-piece tactics, player roles, and their implications for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers.
The Set-Piece Revolution
The 2025-26 Premier League campaign witnessed a surge in set-piece goals, with 27.4% of all goals stemming from non-penalty set-pieces, a significant jump from the previous season's 20.6%. Corners, in particular, became a potent weapon, accounting for 18% of goals, up from 12.1% the season prior.
This trend underscores the growing importance of set-piece coaches, with many clubs now employing dedicated specialists. The appointment of Austin MacPhee at Chelsea exemplifies this shift, as his expertise in set-piece tactics is expected to significantly impact the team's performance.
Strongest Set-Piece Teams
- Arsenal: Led the way with 25 non-penalty set-piece goals and only 8 conceded, resulting in a positive swing of 17 goals.
- Tottenham Hotspur: Second-best team with a positive swing of 10 goals, despite finishing near the relegation zone.
- Coventry City: Standout team in the Championship, with a positive swing of 16 goals, but their numbers may not translate to the Premier League.
- Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and Liverpool: Allowed the most goals from set pieces, with Palace's negative swing of 9 goals being the worst in the division.
Key Players and Set-Piece Dynamics
- Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United's star player, with 21 assists in the Premier League, including 11 from set-piece situations. His set-piece prowess is a significant factor in his high FPL price tag.
- Inswinging Corners: A prevalent trend, with 2,643 inswinging corners compared to 541 outswingers. Teams prefer left-footed takers from the right and right-footed takers from the left.
- Dominik Szoboszlai: Liverpool's Hungarian midfielder, projected to be a corner taker from both sides, despite the arrival of set-piece coach Andoni Iraola.
- Declan Rice: Arsenal's cornerstone, leading in corners, indirect free-kicks, and throw-ins. His value may be threatened by the potential signing of Bruno Guimarães.
- Igor Thiago: Brentford's penalty taker, with 22 goals in the Premier League, but his value may be overpriced due to the club's uncertain penalty-taking situation.
Set-Piece Receivers
- Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool's captain, with the most goals after making the first contact on crossed corners.
- Malick Thiaw: Newcastle's player with the highest expected goals from set plays (4.7 xG).
Conclusion
The 2026-27 season will be a battle of set-piece mastery, with coaches and players adapting to new trends. FPL managers must carefully consider set-piece dynamics when selecting players, as they can significantly impact performance and value. Solio Analytics' insights provide valuable guidance in navigating this evolving landscape.
