Fantasy Premier League

Set-piece analysis: Rashford profiting from dead-ball duties

By The Scout 13 Nov 2019
Marcus Rashford

The Scout on why free-kicks and a share of penalties make Man Utd forward an appealing pick in FPL

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The Scout continues a series on the players offering the biggest potential for Fantasy Premier League points from set-pieces.

Marcus Rashford (MUN) £8.6m

A big share of Manchester United's direct free-kicks has raised Rashford's goal threat.

The frontman has taken seven such shots, more than double the total of any of his fellow forwards in FPL.

Indeed, apart from the three of Gerard Deulofeu (£6.1m), no FPL forward has managed more than one.

While players such as Raul Jimenez (£7.3m) and Ashley Barnes (£6.3m) are threats in the box at set-pieces, this is largely due to their aerial prowess.

They are attacking the ball rather than taking the free-kicks, so Rashford stands out.

Top FPL forwards for dead-ball threat
Player Attempts from set-pieces Direct free-kicks Set-piece goals Penalty goals
Raul Jimenez 9 0 2 2
Marcus Rashford 8 7 0 2
Ashley Barnes 8 0 1 0
Alexandre Lacazette 7 1 1 0
Roberto Firmino 6 0 1 0
Sebastien Haller 6 0 1 0
Danny Ings 6 0 1 0

Although Rashford has yet to score a direct free-kick in the Premier League this season, he found the net this way in the Red Devils' recent EFL Cup win over Chelsea.

The 22-year-old also converted a penalty in that 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge in late October.

A share of spot-kicks has further enhanced his prospects.

Rashford has taken four penalties in the opening 12 Gameweeks, twice the total of any other player in FPL.

He has scored two of his six Premier League goals for the season from the spot, netting against Chelsea again and Leicester City.

It remains to be seen, however, whether Rashford will remain first-choice penalty-taker when Paul Pogba (£8.4m) returns from injury.

The Frenchman took 10 of Man Utd’s 12 penalties last term, converting seven of his efforts.

Watch Rashford's free-kick at Chelsea 

Rashford's recent run of goals has lifted him to fifth place among the highest-scoring forwards in FPL.

He sits on 63 points, having scored in three of the last four Gameweeks.

And a kind upcoming run of opponents looks promising for more returns.

According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), five of Man Utd's next seven matches score just two.

Rashford can flourish during that schedule and reward his growing 13.9 per cent ownership with more goals.

Tomorrow: Set-piece analysis: De Bruyne a dominant force

Also in this series 

Part 1: Set-piece analysis: Alexander-Arnold ups his game
Part 2: Set-piece analysis: Maguire heading for points
Part 3: Set-piece analysis: Maddison an all-round prospect
Part 4: Set-piece analysis: Moutinho again leading for assists
Part 6: Set-piece analysis: De Bruyne a dominant force

 

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