Twenty3’s Tactics Truck: Who are the Premier League’s set-piece specialists?
Set-pieces remain one of the most important facets of football, even at the very highest level.
For teams looking for an edge in matches decided on fine margins, an ability to score from corners or free-kicks can often be the difference.
That can be particularly important for clubs in the Premier League, where points are notably hard to come by.
Ahead of the top flight’s return following the international break, we’ve fired up Twenty3’s Toolbox to take a closer look at some of the division’s most productive sides and players when it comes to set-pieces.
Everton
Sean Dyche’s Everton are leading the way for chance creation from set-pieces, with an xG of 7.98 from dead-ball situations.
That has only led to four goals, but it bodes well for the Toffees, who are now very much in a relegation battle after their 10-point deduction.
Abdoulaye Doucouré has been Everton’s biggest threat from set-pieces, boasting a league-high xG of 2.48 from corners and free-kicks.
He is closely followed by James Tarkowski, who has an xG of 2.05.
The centre-back has proved a towering presence in the box for Everton, ranking first for set-piece aerial duels won (21).
Brentford
After Everton, Brentford are the next most effective team in the Premier League from set-pieces, according to their xG of 6.81.
That is no surprise, given that the Bees scored more goals from these situations than any other side in the division last season (15) last season.
Their potency from dead-balls has been an important weapon since their promotion from the Championship.
As shown in the visualisation below, Brentford typically deliver the ball towards the six-yard box.
Without Ivan Toney available so far this term, Thomas Frank’s side have perhaps been less dangerous from corners and free-kicks.
They have only scored three in 12 matches, but that return could well increase if they continue to create opportunities for the likes of Ethan Pinnock and Nathan Collins, who have won 21 set-piece aerial duels between them in 2023-24.
West Ham
David Moyes is a manager who prioritises the use of crosses into the box, whether from dead-balls or in open play.
That strategy has worked well at West Ham, particularly after the signing of set-piece specialist James Ward-Prowse in the summer.
He ranks first in the Premier League for set-piece xA (2.16), whipping in deliveries for the likes of Tomáš Souček to attack.
West Ham’s balls into the box are often directed close to the opposition goalkeeper at pace.
Jarrod Bowen scored with a header in that area from a Ward-Prowse corner in the Hammers’ 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest before the international break.
Individuals
Aside from the teams who make scoring from set-pieces a strategy, there are some that simply benefit from having specialists at their disposal.
Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier leads the way when it comes to xG from set-pieces taken (3.7), just ahead of Ward-Prowse (3.54).
They are closely followed by Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo (3.13) and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White (3.07).
James Maddison, before his injury in Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea, was proving a valuable asset with his set-piece delivery, with an xA of 1.27 putting him second only to Ward-Prowse.
Bruno Fernandes, despite a frustrating season so far for Manchester United, has also proved effective, with three goals resulting from his set-pieces.
Players who are capable of consistently putting the ball into dangerous areas from dead-ball situations are rare, and the Premier League has some of the best in the business.
Away from the intricate passing and free-flowing football from open play, look out for the often underappreciated art of the set-piece when England’s top flight returns this weekend.
All visualisations in this article were produced with the Twenty3 Toolbox. For more information, please get in touch below.