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
The perfect delivery met by the perfect header. 👌
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) August 31, 2022
Anel Ahmedhodžić with his second goal of the game last night. 🇧🇦 pic.twitter.com/7CSiCON0qT
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
