Fantasy Premier League: Who are each team’s penalty and free-kick takers?

Having multiple routes to points is a key currency in Fantasy Premier League, making set-piece takers hot property in the game.

This season, it’s tougher than ever to predict who the teams that will dominate the Premier League will be, especially with the sheer volume of new managers and key departures.

Identifying set-piece takers gives you a fighting chance of cutting through the uncertainty, so who is likely to be on penalties and free kicks for each Premier League side, and who is worth your fantasy investment?

The dead certs

At Manchester United, there’s one man who rules all and that is Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m). He took six spot kicks in the Premier League last season, converting four, with his dominance on these unwavering despite a patchy conversion record.

Add into the mix he’s also his team’s primary corner and free-kick taker, and there’s no wonder he’s such a popular pick in the game. He broke the Premier League assist record last season, deservedly earning the league’s Playmaker award.

At Manchester City, expect Erling Haaland (£15.5m) to continue on spot kicks under Enzo Maresca. He scored three from the penalty spot last season from four attempts.

The free-kick takers are more unclear, especially with places up for grabs in Maresca’s attack, but expect Phil Foden (£7.0m) and new signing Elliot Anderson (£6.5m) to be among them. They shared duties in Sunday’s Community Shield.

Eight penalty conversions for Igor Thiago (£8.0m) in the Premier League last season helped him to a remarkable 22 goals for the season. While we can’t expect the west Londoners to be awarded as many this time around, Thiago still carries solid potential.

Brentford striker Igor Thiago scored eight penalties in the Premier League last season (Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

It’s a mixed bag when it comes to their free-kick takers, with duties likely shared between Mathias Jensen (£5.5m) and Mikkel Damsgaard (£5.5m).

We expect penalty duties to remain with Cole Palmer (£9.5m) under Xabi Alonso at Chelsea. He has scored 23 of 25 penalties in his career, including converting five of six in the league last season. Let’s hope he can stay fit.

With a new manager and uncertainty in the transfer window, free-kick takers are difficult to call. However, Reece James (£5.5m) could take priority, with Pedro Neto (£6.5m) and Enzo Fernandez (£7.0m) in the frame too.

The penalty gems

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) scored four from the penalty spot in the league last season, missing one, and looks set to retain duties at a cheap price point. Newcomer Harry Wilson (£6.5m) could displace Anton Stach (£6.0m) on free kicks.

It’s all change at Brighton this season, with Danny Welbeck departing for Chelsea and James Milner retiring after a remarkable 24 seasons in the Premier League. Pascal Gross (£5.5m) looks to be favourite to take over on penalties, scoring one in pre-season.

Having taken more free kicks and corners than any other Brighton player last season, it’s clear to see why he’s becoming a template selection among engaged fantasy managers.

With Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes leaving Newcastle United, Nick Woltemade (£6.0m) should step up for penalties, while defender Lewis Hall (£5.0m) could take free kicks.

Dominic Solanke (£6.0m) should be on penalties for Spurs when fit, while Pedro Porro (£5.5m) is tempting on free kicks as a defender. Defensive improvements should help support his clean-sheet potential, too.

Ollie McBurnie (£5.5m) is on spot kicks for Hull City and is another option at a cheap price point, with Regan Slater (£4.5m) their set-piece taker.

We expect Emi Buendia (£6.0m) to be on penalties at Aston Villa following the departure of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, while John McGinn (£5.5m) could be the free-kick taker for this campaign.

The free-kick stars

Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.0m) is on free kicks for Liverpool, scoring three last season, and he could well be on penalties too following Mohamed Salah’s departure. He has competition from Alexander Isak (£9.0m), though.

Nottingham Forest’s penalty taker is Chris Wood (£6.0m) but I’d expect a decline in his minutes this season, which could play into the hands of Morgan Gibbs-White (£8.0m), who will also step up to take more free kicks this season with Anderson having left for Manchester City.

Coventry City’s penalty taker is Haji Wright (£5.5m) but he’s been largely absent in pre-season through injury, which poses question marks for the early gameweeks. Matt Grimes (£5.0m) is a budget midfielder worth considering for free kicks, though.

Striker Alexander Isak could rival Szoboszlai for penalties at Liverpool this season (Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Some bold predictions

There’s been some uncertainty over spot kicks at Everton but Iliman Ndiaye (£6.0m) has made a late bid during pre-season, converting twice from the spot. Expect Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£6.5m) on set pieces while James Garner (£6.0m) is injured.

Spot kicks are certainly up for grabs at Fulham, where defender Antonee Robinson (£4.5m) has a chance after Raul Jimenez left for Wolves and Wilson signed for Leeds United.

New signing Gonzalo Garcia (£6.0m) is perhaps the more likely beneficiary, though, while Alex Iwobi (£5.0m) is likely to be their free-kick taker.

With Eli Junior Kroupi (£7.5m) missing the beginning of Bournemouth’s season through injury, expect Justin Kluivert (£6.0m) to step up on penalties, while Marcus Tavernier (£6.0m) should be on direct free kicks.

At Crystal Palace, Jean-Philippe Mateta (£6.5m) has a price drop for this season and could retain penalties if he stays this summer. If not, responsibility could pass to Ismaila Sarr (£6.5m), with Adam Wharton (£5.5m) his team’s usual free-kick taker.

The uncertain takers to be wary of

On paper, Bukayo Saka (£9.5m) would be favourite to take penalties for Arsenal but he only took one last season during an injury-hit campaign, gifting Viktor Gyokeres (£7.5m) three opportunities from the spot.

Saka’s routes to points are extended by his free-kick responsibility but it’s Declan Rice (£7.5m) who often has the lion’s share for the Gunners.

Spot-kick duties were shared between Enzo Le Fee (£6.0m) and Habib Diarra (£5.5m) at Sunderland last season, with the potential carried by Le Fee making him a popular selection for Gameweek One drafts.

Le Fee will also take some free kicks and corners, but has competition from Granit Xhaka (£5.5m) and Trai Hume (£4.5m), so don’t expect domination.

If Jack Clarke (£5.5m) gets minutes for Ipswich Town, then he should be on penalties for them, while Marcelino Nunez (£5.0m) will take their direct free kicks.