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How to build your World Cup Fantasy team around set-pieces and penalties

The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at the 2018 World Cup has resulted in an unusually large number of penalties in Gameround 1 – and Fantasy managers are encouraged to factor this into their plans for Gameround 2.

We’ve already seen referees award eight spot-kicks so far now that they are able to review offences in the box that they had previously missed. To put that into context, there were only 13 in the whole of the last World Cup.

With VAR now well-established in the running of World Cup matches, we can expect a similar number of penalties in the second round of Group Stage fixtures.

Which is why we’ve decided to bring you some updated set-piece information for Gameround 2. There are some managers who are even building their teams around the penalty-takers of each nation considering the impact VAR has had.

We’ve also gone into the data for other set-pieces so that you can view accurate and update to date information for who takes each team’s corners and which players have been the most dangerous in set-piece situations.

In the information below, we’ve included how many of each type of set-piece each asset has taken. If there is no number next to their name that’s because they took at least one in qualifying and/or warm-up games but are yet to at the tournament itself.

Also, to clarify further, the ‘Attempts from set plays’ section combines those who have shot from direct free-kicks or those who have latched onto the end of a corner.

The deadline for Gameround 2 is at 19:00 BST, just over an hour after the final match of Gameround 1, so make sure you sort your team during the Group H fixtures today.

Get all our transfer tips for Gameround 2 by CLICKING HERE.

World Cup Data
We’re delighted to offer World Cup data as an early addition to our regular season offering to help those playing Fantasy games over the summer.

We’ve secured Opta data, not only for the tournament itself, which begins on June 14 but also from the Qualifying Rounds for Europe and South America and for international friendlies involving the participating nations. This includes all the matches played right up to the tournament kick-off.

Just to stress, this World Cup offering comes packaged with the regular Fantasy Football Scout membership.

Check out this new trailer previewing the World Cup content below…

McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy

Join our McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy league ‘FantasyFootballScout’ using the code: HEWJPVYR

Fantasy iTeam

Fantasy Football Scout is supporting Fantasy iTeam, a free World Cup game available on a number of mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPodTouch and Android. We have an official Fantasy Football Scout League open to UK users only, with a £1000 of Amazon vouchers to give out, split between the top three performers. There’s also the small matter of £10k worth of prizes available in the main competitions: Overall World Championship and Manager of the Gameround.

Click here for details and here to sign up.

Our League name is Fantasy Football Scout and the pin is 1887.

Please note, users must be over 18 and based in the UK to join our league.

1,280 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Does anyone else heard that Neymar is injured for next 2 games !?
    In Serbia thats the main news 🙂

  2. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Kane or Lukaku?

    1. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      The one who does not know to play high quality football

  3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    best pick
    A)hegazi + kagawa
    B)cueva + h.moreno

    1. Pete Campbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      A for me

  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    is now the best time to wc?

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I have

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      No unless you have like 3 players that aren't playing/dropped.

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      bad idea. one game is too small sample to judge players.

      1. Jebiga
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        this

    4. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      im just thinking about that, but as well may save...because we will have unlimited transfers after group stage...

    5. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I would say anyone wildcarding now instead of round 3 is a bloody fool and needs to have a serious word with themselves

      1. Horlicks esq.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        discuss?

  5. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Best 4.5m defenders if wildcarding this round?

    Currently looking at a backline of

    Sommer - Uzoho
    Kimmich - Varela - Akanji - Dalsgaard - £5m max to spend but would like to spend just £4.5

    1. rivercityransom
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      i like hegaz and pavard as well

      1. rivercityransom
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        hegazi*

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Salcedo 5m

    3. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Hegazy, or a Mexican def for 5.0

    4. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      get h.moreno or hegazi.Y dalsgaard with france in next 2?

    5. Bambi
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      sommer and uzoho play on the same day iirc - maybe better to get the Tunisian goalie for 4.0

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks! Hadn't spotted that

    6. Ludo
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Mojica probably your best bet

    7. liiusions
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Pavard is worth the risk I reckon. Rodrgiuez for Switzerland looks a good shout for the next 2 if you can stretch to 5.5

    8. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks all!

      Think £4.5m defenders have some great value without bonus points. May even drop Kimmich.

  6. I Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Al Dawsari -> Layun/Cheryshev worth -4?

    Think I can hold onto my WC now that James is on.

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Absolutely not. You'll need Layun or Chery to score to mitigate that 4.

  7. johnnybeefcake
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    What is the likely Spain backline for the next 2 games

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Alba - Pique - Ramos - Nacho/Carvajal/Odri

  8. King Klopp
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    I can’t watch. Is Inui playing well?

    1. rivercityransom
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      yeah, pretty lively. he's had 3 or 4 shots so far.

      1. King Klopp
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        That’s making my decision tough. Do I bring in him or Layun?

        1. rivercityransom
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          i have both on wc, not much value in the more expensive midfielders

  9. Bun Rab
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Honda is On... da. For Kagawa.

  10. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Are there any defenders who are first choice penalty taker?

    1. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Granqvist

    2. rivercityransom
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      granquish, rodriguez (swi)

    3. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Granqvist

    4. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Granquist, R.Rodriguez

    5. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks guys.

    6. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I guess Tadic is ahead of Kolarov on penalties?

      1. rivercityransom
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        yeah, but you never know if kolarov will pull rank (he's the captain)

    7. Eden Wizard
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      also Ramos potentially

    8. Niemi
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Granqvist for Sweden and Rodriguez for Switzerland. Potentially Hajisafi for Iran.

      Silva likely to be on penalties over Ramos according to AS.

  11. penguinsofdeath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Any help would be much appreciated, thanks:

    A - Werner to Costa
    B - James to Isco

  12. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Can you change your captain more than once in a single Gameweek?

    E.g if I capt Cavani tomorrow and he flops, then I change it to Lukaku on Saturday and he also flops, Can I change it once more to Kane on Sunday?

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      You sure can.

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      what have u been doing so far?

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        the mind boggles

      2. Reggie Nainggolan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Nothing cos I had on Ronaldo lol

  13. johnnybeefcake
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Ronaldo Kane Cavani

    Coutinho Isco Layun Cherysev Inui

    Kimmich Varela Akanji _____ _____

    Ochoa Uzoho

    10M for 2 defenders in my wildcard. Suggestions??

    1. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Pavard + Portugal one, and choose sabaly instead of akanji

    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Granqvist +1

  14. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Is Neymar to Ronaldo decent FT ?

  15. Eden Wizard
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Inuessential

  16. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Isco or Erikssen

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Have Costa

    2. studge15
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Eriksen this week, Isco next

  17. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Goal

  18. Meinhoff
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Goal Osako

  19. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Bacca on - if he plays Uruguay and Suarez bites him, it will be Chew Bacca.

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Oh dear

  20. Bun Rab
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Osaka 2-1 Japan

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Honda A.

  21. Waynoo
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    JAPANNNNNNNNNNN

  22. studge15
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Rubbish goalkeeping from Ospina

    1. dark91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn't have saved it anyway

  23. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    What a corner!

    Drive Honda!

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      The Power of DREAMS.

  24. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Which one will be better?
    I think maybe 1 is best assuming Jesus will get game vs Costa Rica?

    1. Jesus Isco
    2. Cost James
    3. Costa Coutinho -4

    Currently have Jesus and James.

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      1

  25. Nando7
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Rmt for this round ...using max captain

    Costa Kane Cavani
    Coutinho Eriksen Pogba Cheryshev
    Trippier Cedric Varela
    Ochoa

    Bench: uzoho Bentancour Dalsgaard idowu

    Any thoughts or suggestions !!!!?!?!?!

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good imo

      1. Nando7
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        cheers !!

    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn't Max Cap though. Save it for later when you don't get to churn the armband.

      1. Nando7
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        interesting thought it would be beneficial as all my front 3 have very favourable games as well as pogba eriksen and cout

  26. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    A) Cavani Salah Kroos Danilo
    B) Suarez Messi Cheryshev Akanji

    1. Nando7
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B but messi to ronaldo ...imo
      Could you see post above...

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        I would have Ronaldo as well

        1. Nando7
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Whats your full team ?

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Ronaldo Messi Suarez
            Coutinho Isco Cheryshev Layun
            Kimmich Varela Akanji
            Ochoa

            Uzoho Inui Sakai Idowu

  27. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    james score you fud

  28. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Those waiting til RD3 to WC why is that? surely that week is super unpredictable for who will be rest and who will be played?

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      That is precisely why I'm waiting

      1. Horlicks esq.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        I guess a choice of which RD scores most reward.

        I would say more to play for in RD2 therefore more energy, more best players, more high scoring.

        Once teams let off the gas its merely a training exercise? Youre gambling your WC bonus on an unknown series of line ups.

        I say therefore better to WC when you know the first XI are needed not afterwards.

    2. Webbinho
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      exactly, so how do you plan that by WC now? I'd rather see who needs a win and who is through/out. Then pick 11 men who need to play to win. We will know 4 lineups before deadline too as 2 games play at the same time.

  29. Lewa
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Another bad pick from me... Falcao

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Rock me Amadeus

  30. Hampe
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Cuadrado off - injury or tactical due to the red card?

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Tactical

      1. Meinhoff
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        And also he was awful

    2. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      tactical