DREAM TEAM managers who missed out on Newcastle’s emphatic victory over Sheffield United will probably feel the ship has sailed.
However, there’s a chance they may be able to repeat last weekend’s profitable trick in Gameweek 7, to some degree at least.
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Last week, we tipped Kieran Trippier (£5.4m) for plentiful returns because he’s one of the league’s most prominent set-piece takers, an aspect of the game the Blades have struggled to negotiate this season.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side had conceded the most xG and allowed the most headed shots from set pieces prior to the Magpies visit to Bramall Lane.
Combine this vulnerability with the likelihood of a clean sheet for the visitors and all signs pointed to Trippier points.
Lo and behold, the England full-back racked up 17 points thanks to a hat-trick of assists, two of them coming from set pieces.
Alongside team-mate Anthony Gordon (£2.9m), the 33-year-old is currently Gameweek 6’s top performer.
So how can gaffers repeat such success this coming weekend once Gameweek 7 is underway?
Sheffield United are due to meet West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday and while it’s unlikely they’ll suffer another 8-0 defeat, it’s a horrible match-up for a team vulnerable at set pieces.
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The Hammers have several potent aerial threats and in James Ward-Prowse (£4m) they have one of the best exponents in world football when it comes to dead-ball deliveries.
The ex-Southampton midfielder has hit the ground running for David Moyes’ side since his summer transfer – he’s produced two goals and five assists in just six outings so far.
Ward-Prowse’s tally of 52 points is only bettered by three midfielders at this stage, an impressive feat given he was still a Saints player in Gameweek 1.
The 28-year-old is a viable option against any opponent on current form – he took Manchester City and Liverpool for a combined 19 points – but the prospect of him being unleashed on a team with severe troubles against set pieces should have Dream Team bosses licking their lips.
What makes this strategy even more appealing is that West Ham are also scheduled to face Freiburg in Gameweek 7.
That Europa League fixture may not be as favourable a match-up but the German outfit are currently ninth in the Bundesliga and, more importantly, it’s simply another chance for Ward-Prowse to build upon his points total (if selected).
At the time of writing, Ward-Prowse is the most-popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 7.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk