Trippier can deliver Newcastle to the Champions League

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 37.

Player analysis - Kieran Trippier

A pair of superbly-executed Trippier set pieces laid the platform for Newcastle United’s thumping 4-1 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion last Thursday.

Now, with the Magpies needing a single point from their final two matches to secure UEFA Champions League qualification, the captain can lead his team over the line when they host Leicester City on Monday.

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Trippier's contribution against Brighton took him to seven assists for the season, just one short of leading duo Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold among defenders in the competition.

Whipping pacy right-footed deliveries into the penalty area, and usually with expert precision, Trippier has created 33 more chances from dead balls than any other Premier League player this season.

While Trippier takes the vast majority of Newcastle’s set-pieces, this is still a remarkable statistic, and Eddie Howe will hope his creator-in-chief is fit to play in Monday night's fixture.

Top chance creators from set-pieces 22/23

Four of Trippier’s six set-play assists have been from outswinging wide free-kicks.

They have not been complicated training-ground routines either. All four have come from crosses despatched into dangerous areas at speed.

Indeed, his last two have been similar in their execution.

Leicester will be nervous defending set-pieces in what is a must-win match at St James’ Park.

Defensively they have struggled to cope when defending these situations, with only Nottingham Forest having a worse Expected Goals Against (xGA) total this season.

Expected goals from set-piece 22/23

Do not be surprised if the Magpies, via Trippier’s right foot, cause Leicester multiple problems from corners and wide free-kicks.

Also in this series

Part 1: Awoniyi has the tools to trouble Arsenal