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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. Better off with a pin and a…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    Well, that's started well.

  2. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    So, no James and no Aguilar. Ace.

  3. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    Help!

    High stakes involved..

    Domestic Fantasy League..

    Round 2 Team.. works similar to FPL

    Muslera
    Layun | Hector | Danilo | Meunier
    Cheryshev | Meza | Silva
    Lukaku | CR7(c) | Suarez
    xx | Taglafico | Belhanda | xx

    gtg?

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 days ago

      You have two of the same players.

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 2 days ago

        sorry.. who?

      2. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 2 days ago

        ah.. xx ignore bench fooders

  4. johnnybeefcake
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    What position does layun play and why is he very popular at the moment amongst wildcard teams

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 days ago

      4-2-3-1

      right attacking mid in 3

      1. johnnybeefcake
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 days ago

        Thank you

    2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 days ago

      Price, fixtures, shoots a lot.

  5. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    So we should be picking:

    Sergio Ramos, Granqvist, Rodriguez (Swiss), Eriksen, Modric, etc..

  6. That Fantasy Guy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    Which wild card would you have?
    WC1
    Ben mustapha
    Macguire - Kimmich - Valera
    Isco - coutinho - cherechev - Layun
    Messi - Ronaldo - Suarez
    Uzuho - Gazinski - Sabaly - dalsgard

    WC 2
    Ochoa
    Trippier - Kimmich - Ricardo Rodriguez
    Isco - Cueva - Cherechev
    Messi - Ronaldo - Suarez
    Ben Mustapha - Nandez - Sabaly- Valera

    WC 3
    Ben mustapha
    Tripper - Kimmich - Ramos
    Isco - cherechev - Cueva
    Messi - Ronaldo - Suarez
    Uzuho - Nandez - Sabaly - Valera

    Thinking of playing a max captain chip too
    Thanks in advance

    1. azz007
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 days ago

      you need Kane. Messi will strggle with Croatia

    2. studge15
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Why Messi? Largely invisible against Iceland and missed a pen. Costa seems a better option.

      1. rivercityransom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        invisible? he had like 11 shots

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        Yeah - Messi is shite - what's he ever done?

      3. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        Was involved in most of what Argentina did but yeah, missed a penalty so he was invisible.

      4. That Fantasy Guy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        Rolled the dice once cant happen again

  7. CellinoArmy
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    RIP Falcao captaincy, will need some magic to even score from here.

  8. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    Wonder how many people were forced into a last ditch captaincy of Sanchez? Oh my 😆

  9. payasito
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    muller to

    a) coutinho
    b) alli

  10. MESSINHO
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    I think James will definitely start against Poland if they lose this match, which seems very ligely now, and they will be in attack mode. So don't transfer out James yet guys.

    1. MESSINHO
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 days ago

      likely*

    2. azz007
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 days ago

      poland will be a diffuclt game

    3. Meinhoff
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 days ago

      Poland are a better team, and James is not 100%. Go Isco or Coutinho

    4. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      This

  11. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    How this WC team looking for next 2 rounds??

    Uzoho/ Ochoa
    Varela/ Kimmich/ Marcelo/ Meunier/ Dalsgaard
    Golovin/ Cherysev/ Isco/ Coutinho/ Inui
    Ronaldo/ Costa/ Lozano

  12. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    Come on inui

  13. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    James needs to come in now

  14. King Klopp
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    Boyata expected to start next week?

    1. GameOfGoals
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      For GW2 yes, Kompany won't be fit yet and I don't think Martinez is going to take the risk with Vermaelen already.

  15. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 days ago

    Cout or Eriksen on WC?

  16. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    How many games suspension is a professional foul RC in WC?

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      A player sanctioned with a red card is sent off from the pitch and cannot be replaced. Furthermore, the player is automatically banned from his team's next match.

  17. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    might as well get jedi for 6m

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Layun

  18. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    have a feeling these early WC will backfire

  19. QuintonFortune25
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Would you WC this team?

    El Kajoui - Uzoho
    Kimmich - Meunier- Trippier - Varela - Mojica
    Muller - J.Rod - Ziyach - Meza - Aldawsari
    Lukaku - Cavani - Jesus

    Or just transfer Jesus to Costa?

  20. 420king
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Noooooooooooooo Inui 🙁

  21. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Poor finish from Inui

  22. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    inui almost scored

  23. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Japan will score more than one

  24. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Is James fully ruled out today or can he manage a 20 minute cameo? He's on the bench....

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      I think if he can he will come on - losing this match will be a disaster for Colombia.

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      If he was fully ruled out he wouldn’t be on the bench

  25. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Rip me couldn't get home on time to set up my subs probably. Somehow ended up with Inui on the bench and JRod in the team 🙁

  26. Bring the Cavalry
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Who is the best 4.5 goalie for next two rounds?

    1. Meinhoff
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Egypt gk

    2. Arceus
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Gallese

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      😆

    2. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Great shout.

    3. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Fair play...shame I didn't see that... -3 incoming for him increases to a -5 overall after taking out a 2pt player.

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Should have put £50 on it

      1. caldracula
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        Had a sending off on my best slip for the Poland and Senegal game at 4/1! Can’t really back that now

  27. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Thoughts?

    Ronaldo Messi Suarez
    Coutinho Isco Cheryshev Layun
    Kimmich Varela Akanji
    Ochoa

    Uzoho Inui Sakai Idowu

    1. That Fantasy Guy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      We are toying with similar teams! maybe downgrade Ochoa to Ben Mustapha and use to upgrade Idowu to a different defender?

  28. rivercityransom
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    is ben mustapha nailed for tunisia now?

  29. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Inui will get more chances. Looks like an absolute bargain atm.