Fantasy Premier League

FPL promoted picks: Sheff Utd defenders offer set-piece threat

By The Scout 12 Jun 2023
John Egan, Anel Ahmedhodzic

The Scout says John Egan and Anel Ahmedhodzic boast strong goal potential from free-kicks and corners

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The Scout looks at the Fantasy Premier League prospects of the three promoted sides in defence and attack.

Sheffield United defence

A reliance on set-pieces boosts the prospects of Sheff Utd's centre-backs in 2023/24 Fantasy.

The Championship runners-up scored 22 goals from such situations last season, nine more than both title-winners Burnley and Luton Town.

Indeed, Sheff Utd produced 30 per cent of their goals from set-pieces, double the 15 per cent of Burnley.

Promoted clubs' set-piece goals
Team Set-piece goals Total goals % set-piece goals
BUR 13 87 15%
SHU 22 73 30%
LUT 13 57 23%

Anel Ahmedhodzic’s style of play could make him an appealing pick.

The centre-back gets forward in possession and recorded six goals and two assists last season. 

Ahmedhodzic's goal v Reading

Crucially, five of those goals came from set-pieces, more than any team-mate.

On the downside, Ahmedhodzic collected a club-high 12 yellow cards from only 34 matches.

His fellow centre-back John Egan, meanwhile, was the Blades’ main threat at set-pieces.

Despite scoring only twice all season, Egan produced 39 shots in the box from free-kicks and corners, more than double the 18 of Ahmedhodzic.

Blades' top set-piece threats 22/23
  Egan Ahmedhodzic  McBurnie
Shots 39 18 31
Shots in box 39 18 30
Headed shots 28 10 20
Shots on target 11 9 15
Goals 1 5 4

Lining up in a 3-5-2 formation, Sheff Utd claimed 19 clean sheets and conceded only 39 goals across their 46 matches this season.

The Blades were notably consistent at the back regardless of match location. 

They kept 10 of their 19 clean sheets at home, while 19 of the 39 goals they conceded were at Bramall Lane.

This indicates their defenders could prove handy budget options whenever they have a favourable fixture, regardless of whether it is home or away.

Sheff Utd's 22/23 defensive stats
  Total Home Away
Clean sheets 19 10 9
Goals against 39 19 20

A cost of £4.5m looks likely for Sheff Utd's defensive starters, along with goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.

Although ‘keepers coming up from the Championship often offer value in Fantasy, Foderingham was the worst of the three promoted 'keepers for minutes per save last term. 

Combined with their big potential from set-pieces, this further strengthens the appeal of Ahmedhodzic and Egan as Sheff Utd's best options at the back.

Also in this series

Part 1: Burnley full-backs boast attacking edge
Part 2: Burnley's Brownhill can be budget gem
Part 4: Sheff Utd's Ndiaye an all-round prospect
Part 5: Wing-backs' delivery vital for Luton
Part 6: Morris a huge influence for Luton

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