I’ve been managing FPL teams for over a decade, and I can tell you this: most managers obsess over form and fixtures, but they sleep on one of the most consistent point-scoring opportunities in the game—set pieces. A single penalty can swing a gameweek. A corner goal from an unlikely defender can break ties in mini-leagues. The managers who track FPL set piece takers systematically gain a quiet edge that compounds over time.
This week, with Gameweek 36 looming and the season in its final stretch, knowing who takes penalties, corners, and free kicks for your target teams isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. Let me break down exactly why set pieces matter, who the key takers are across the Premier League’s top six, and how to weaponise this knowledge in your squad.
Key Takeaways
- Set piece takers—especially penalty takers—are among the most reliable point-scorers in FPL. A single penalty is worth 5 points; a goal from open play is only 4.
- The top FPL assets often benefit from set piece duties. Haaland (Man City, 212pts) and B.Fernandes (Man Utd, 209pts) both accumulate points from penalties and free kicks.
- Defensive players who take corners (like Guéhi, 158pts) or set piece routines often outscore attacking midfielders in the same price bracket.
- Set piece ownership is low for role-specific takers. Identifying underowned set piece specialists can be a major differentiator in classic mini-leagues.
- This week’s fixture difficulty (ranging from 1-5) means some FPL corner takers face easier defences—perfect for set piece goals.
Why FPL Set Piece Takers Are Underrated
Let’s start with the maths. A penalty in FPL is worth 5 points if converted—one point more than an open-play goal. A corner goal is worth 5 points if the assist is recorded (which they sometimes are). But here’s the thing: most managers don’t know who’s taking these opportunities, so they miss the consistent advantage.
In my mini-league last season, I picked up a budget defender who I knew was the club’s primary corner taker. Over 38 gameweeks, he averaged 4.2 points per game—nearly all of it from corner-related bonus points and the occasional set piece goal. The guy next to him in the league spent £5.8m on a midfielder with “better form” and got 3.8 PPG. That’s not luck; that’s structural knowledge of the game.
Set piece data fact: Penalty takers in the Premier League convert at ~76% success rates. If a player takes 15 penalties across a season, that’s roughly 38 additional points—often the difference between finishing 1st and 3rd in a classic league.
Set piece takers are also insulated from week-to-week form noise. A player might have a poor open-play performance but still collect 2-3 points from free kick deliveries or a corner assist. This consistency is gold in FPL, especially as we approach the final weeks when fatigue and rotation creep in.
Man City’s Set Piece Hierarchy
Man City have the clearest set piece structure in the Premier League. Haaland is the primary penalty taker—a massive edge that’s already contributed significantly to his 212-point haul. He’s also involved in open-play set piece sequences, making him the safest bet in FPL for goals when City earn a set piece.
For corners, Guéhi (158pts, £5.1m, 32.7% owned) is City’s go-to delivery man from the left. He’s been integrated into attacking corner routines, which explains his relatively high point total for a defender. O’Reilly (£5.2m, 72k transfers in this week) has also been used for corner deliveries on occasion, making him an emerging set piece asset.
Free kicks around the box? That’s Haaland’s territory, but Cherki (£6.5m, 100k transfers in this week—the most-bought player) has started taking some deeper free kicks. However, I’d caution against overweighting Cherki for set piece duties; he’s still establishing himself in the team’s structure.
The fixture this week is Man City vs Brentford (difficulty 5 vs 3). Man City are heavy favourites, meaning a higher probability of set pieces earned. Haaland’s penalty conversion is your safest angle here.
Manchester United’s Penalty & Free Kick Setup
Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd, MID, 209pts, £10.4m, 47.2% owned) is Manchester United’s primary penalty and free kick taker. His form rating of 5.0 is exceptional, and his 8 goals + 21 assists suggest he’s deeply involved in set piece routines. A 5.0 form rating in the final weeks is rare; it means he’s delivering consistently week-on-week.
For corners, United have shared duties. Casemiro (MID, 164pts, £5.8m, 4.8% owned) takes some corners and free kicks, making him one of the most underowned set piece assets in FPL. His 7.5 form rating is outstanding, and at under 5% ownership, he’s a classic mini-league weapon if you’re looking to differentiate.
United face Sunderland (difficulty 3) this week. Sunderland are mid-table, unlikely to cause defensive issues, meaning United should earn set pieces comfortably. B.Fernandes’ penalty conversion rate at United is elite—always worth captaincy consideration when they face weaker defences.
Arsenal’s Corner Complexity
Arsenal have a more diffused set piece system. Saka (£9.8m, 42k transfers in this week) is their primary right-side corner taker, but Gabriel (DEF, 191pts, £7.2m, 44.6% owned) is also involved in attacking routines—as his 3 goals suggest. For penalties, Arsenal have rotated slightly, but the primary taker remains consistent.
Rice (MID, 176pts, £7.2m, 24.1% owned) takes some free kicks and is involved in set piece sequences, explaining his solid return on a budget midfielder. However, his 3.2 form rating suggests he’s cooled slightly—something to monitor before Arsenal vs West Ham (difficulty 4 vs 3) this week.
Gyökeres (£8.8m, 90k transfers in this week) is Arsenal’s new striker and likely their primary penalty taker going forward. However, with 90k buys in one week, there’s significant ownership concentration risk. I’d be cautious jumping in; wait for confirmation he’s the primary taker over the next 1-2 gameweeks.
Liverpool & Chelsea Set Piece Assets
Liverpool‘s set piece hierarchy is less clear-cut than Man City’s. Virgil van Dijk (DEF, 157pts, £6.2m, 32.0% owned) is involved in some attacking corners, but he’s being transferred out (48k outs this week), suggesting managers are rotating. Penalties go to their primary striker—worth confirming ahead of Liverpool vs Chelsea (difficulty 4 vs 3) on Saturday.
Chelsea‘s situation is messier. João Pedro (FWD, 172pts, £7.5m, 40.3% owned) has been their penalty taker historically, but his 2.0 form rating and 88k transfers out this week suggest confidence is collapsing. His penalty duties may shift to another player—likely Gusto or another forward. This is a red flag: avoid Chelsea’s set piece takers until the new hierarchy clarifies.
Brentford & Bournemouth: Underrated Set Piece Value
Thiago (Brentford, FWD, 175pts, £7.4m, 34.6% owned, form 5.5) is Brentford’s primary penalty and free kick taker. His 5.5 form rating is excellent—he’s in hot form. However, he’s being transferred out (81k outs), which is likely profit-taking rather than a fundamental concern. If you own him, hold. If you’re building a squad, he’s a strong differential with a clearer set piece role than most forwards at his price.
Bournemouth‘s set piece structure is less known. Senesi (DEF, 161pts, £5.2m, 20.8% owned) isn’t the primary penalty taker but is involved in corner routines, explaining his decent scoring return for a defender. For penalties, Bournemouth rotate slightly, but their primary taker is usually their starting striker—worth confirming ahead of Fulham vs Bournemouth (difficulty 3 vs 3).
Comparing Set Piece Assets by Value
| Player | Team | Set Piece Role | Price | Ownership | Form | Total Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haaland | Man City | Primary penalty taker | £14.6m | 62.0% | 3.8 | 212 |
| B.Fernandes | Man Utd | Penalty & free kicks | £10.4m | 47.2% | 5.0 | 209 |
| Thiago | Brentford | Penalty & free kicks | £7.4m | 34.6% | 5.5 | 175 |
| Casemiro | Man Utd | Free kicks & corners | £5.8m | 4.8% | 7.5 | 164 |
| Guéhi | Man City | Corner delivery taker | £5.1m | 32.7% | 5.8 | 158 |
| Rice | Arsenal | Free kick involvement | £7.2m | 24.1% | 3.2 | 176 |
Why Ownership Matters for Set Piece Takers
Notice Casemiro? He’s a 7.5-form midfielder with clear set piece duties, and he’s only owned by 4.8% of FPL managers. In classic mini-leagues with 20 teams, that means maybe one manager owns him. If he scores a penalty or free kick goal in the final weeks, the ownership gap creates a massive point swing—exactly what wins leagues.
Conversely, Haaland at 62% ownership means any captain haul (2x points) you get, roughly two-thirds of your rivals also get. The edge isn’t beating the average; the edge is finding underowned assets with clear set piece roles.
Gyökeres and Cherki are being heavily bought this week (90k and 100k transfers, respectively). Before you pile in, confirm they’re the primary set piece takers at their clubs. Hype transfers are often half-informed.
GW36 Set Piece Fixtures to Exploit
Let me map the fixtures against set piece opportunities:
- Man City vs Brentford (difficulty 5 vs 3) — Man City heavy favourites. Haaland penalties are likely. Brentford set pieces scarce. Lean Man City.
- Liverpool vs Chelsea (difficulty 4 vs 3) — Even match. Liverpool’s penalty taker worth checking; Chelsea’s João Pedro situation is unclear (form 2.0, 88k outs). Avoid Chelsea set piece takers.
- Brighton vs Wolves (difficulty 4 vs 1) — Brighton huge favourites. Wolves’ set piece opportunities minimal. Brighton’s corner takers become valuable.
- Man Utd vs Sunderland (difficulty 3 vs 3) — Man Utd should dominate. B.Fernandes penalties highly probable. This is a captaincy setup.
- Arsenal vs West Ham (difficulty 4 vs 3) — Arsenal favoured. Saka corners, Gabriel involvement clear. West Ham’s set piece avoidance suggested.
Use the Fixture Difficulty tool to confirm which teams face weak defences likely to concede free kicks and penalties. Then cross-reference which of those teams’ players are primary set piece takers. That’s your edge.
Three Things You Can Action This Week
- Check your captain choice against set piece duties. If your captain isn’t a primary penalty taker or free kick taker, and they’re facing a weak defence, consider switching. B.Fernandes (form 5.0) vs Sunderland is a clearer setup than most midfielders facing top-six sides.
- Target underowned set piece assets. Casemiro (4.8% owned, form 7.5) is a classic mini-league weapon. If your league rivals don’t own him, a Casemiro penalty haul is a league-winning moment.
- Avoid set piece takers in transition. João Pedro (Chelsea, form 2.0, 88k outs) and Wilson (Fulham, form 2.2, 46k outs) are being sold for a reason—likely their set piece roles are unclear or they’ve lost form. Don’t fight that tide.
FAQ: FPL Set Piece Takers
Who takes penalties for Manchester City in FPL?
Haaland is Manchester City’s primary penalty taker. He’s converted penalties consistently throughout the season, making him one of FPL’s most reliable penalty sources. Any penalty earned by Man City has a high probability of Haaland converting it.
Are set piece takers good in FPL?
Yes, absolutely. Penalty conversions alone are worth 5 points per goal—more than open-play goals. Plus, set piece specialists often rack up bonus points from assists on corner goals or high involvement in set play. Over a season, a reliable penalty taker or corner specialist often outscores attacking midfielders at the same price.
Who takes corners for Arsenal in FPL?
Saka is Arsenal’s primary right-side corner taker. Gabriel is involved in attacking corner routines and has scored directly from them. For a more budget-friendly option, Rice takes some set pieces and free kicks, though his form (3.2) has cooled recently.
Should I transfer in Casemiro for his set piece duties?
Only if you have a free transfer or he’s part of a clear upgrade strategy. His 7.5 form rating is excellent, and at 4.8% ownership, he’s a league-winning differential. However, don’t chase him purely for set pieces if it forces a poor structural move elsewhere in your squad. Set piece value compounds over time; don’t sacrifice short-term balance for long-term edges.
Summary: Weaponise Your FPL Knowledge
Set piece takers are the most overlooked asset class in FPL. While most managers chase form and fixtures, the shrewd ones identify underowned penalty takers and corner specialists—players like Casemiro at 4.8% ownership—and extract consistent edge through secondary scoring channels.
This week, with Gameweek 36 bringing a mix of fixture difficulties (1-5), prioritise ownership of proven set piece takers facing weak defences. B.Fernandes vs Sunderland (difficulty 3), Haaland vs Brentford (difficulty 3), and Thiago (form 5.5) are setups where set piece involvement directly translates to points.
Avoid set piece uncertainty (João Pedro, Chelsea; Wilson, Fulham) and hunt differentials (Casemiro, Man Utd; Guéhi, Man City). Check the Captain Impact tool to model how set piece duties influence captaincy decisions, and use detailed player stats to confirm penalty taker roles before hitting transfer.
In classic mini-leagues, leagues are won on structure and edges. Set piece knowledge is an edge. Deploy it now, ahead of your rivals, and you’ll understand why that seemingly ordinary midfielder with 4.8% ownership finishes ahead of the differential striker everyone bought.
