870
Members June 29

How to win World Cup Fantasy knockouts using set-pieces and penalties

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Set-pieces continue to dominate the World Cup Fantasy with many of the top performers finding the net from penalties, corners and free-kicks.

So we’ve collated all the data available to us so Members can assess which nations are the best to invest in for the knockout stages of the World Cup.

It would appear that Uruguay, Spain, Brazil and England are the teams worth looking at, while Croatia look susceptible to set-pieces defensively.

READ NEXT: Our transfer tips and stats for the World Cup Fantasy knockout stages

Our research includes each team’s penalty takers based on who has been handed the responsibility at the tournament itself, in qualifying and in friendlies too.

We’ve listed how many of each type of set-piece each player has taken, but if there is no number next to their name it’s because they took at least one in qualifying and/or warm-up games but are yet to take one at the World Cup itself.

We’ve also calculated which teams concede the most fouls and attempts from set-plays too to help you pick the best match-up from the fixtures.

To clarify, 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 4 is at 15:00 BST on Saturday June 30, so make sure you sort your team in time.

READ NEXT: Our transfer tips and stats for the World Cup Fantasy knockout stages

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, 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 detailing 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.

870 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Chilli Heatwave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Costa or hazard? Already have kaku so would be doubling up on belgium

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    1. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      1. Silva
      2. Hazard

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    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I've gone with Kane + Lukaku + Mertens front line. I think Belgium double up could be golden - by far the easiest next round fixture.

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  2. subhojit123
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    1. Miranda
    2. Carvajal

    Which one would you go for?

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    1. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Carvajal

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    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I've gone with Carvajal.

      Probably best just picking whoever you think will get further in the competition - I don't think it unlikely that Mexico could shock Brazil, and Belgium could easily knock em out too - both of those teams capable of scoring quite easily.

      It's not obvious though - you could make a similar argument for Russia and Croatia

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    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Carvajal

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      1. subhojit123
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        ya... spain defence has been leaky recently. but carvajal can come up with assist.having said that brazil defence have kept clean sheets against sides that dont attack too much. thats why was contemplating.

        thanks guys

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  3. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Pick two of these...

    A. Hazard (JAP)
    B. Costa (RUS)
    C. Kane (COL)

    Which ones? Thanks.

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    1. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      AC

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    2. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      DSilva might be an option in B as well...better stats

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    3. FPL Mentor
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      A and B

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    4. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      AC

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    5. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      AC

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    6. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      AC

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      1. Winston.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        thanks all

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  4. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Will lukaku be fit or am I better with hazard

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    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Hazard on penalties and there will probably be no certainty on Lukaku by deadline tomorrow so I would go safe with Hazard

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    2. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Hazard on pens too

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    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Lukaku will be fit.

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    4. TaiwanHC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I'm going with Lukaku

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  5. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Repost*

    RMT

    Muslera
    Ramos Granqvist R.Rodriguez Strinic
    Modric Isco Coutinho
    Neymar[3] Costa[2] Greizman(1)

    (Nakamura, Claesson, Quintero[4], Sakai)

    6 penalty takers with Ramos, Granqvist, R.Rodriguez, Modric, Neymar and Greizman.

    G2G?

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    1. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Can't go wrong with the penalty strat.

      By separating a bench like that though, I think you're thinking about it non-optimally. You want 15 good players, some more expensive than others, and bench the worst performers - Nakamura and Sakai not good picks

      Still, good overall, though may consider Neymar --> Kane/Lukaku, and Ramos to Carvajal to fund some better bench players.

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      1. FPL Mentor
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks buddy

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  6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    RMT please, wc in hand

    Subasic Courtiois
    Muenier Lovren, Ramos Granqvist, Caceres
    Coutinho Isco Modric Lingard Cleassen
    Lukaku Lozano Chicarito

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    1. FPL Mentor
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Lovely. Like how your taking a punt on Mexico to beat Brazil. Hat off to you sir. Mexico have been impressive. Best of luck.

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      1. Sune
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        They really haven't. Only one good game.
        Only Panama had a worse "expected goals against" rating during group stage.

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        1. FPL Mentor
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Only one bad performance more like.. brilliant first two games. Or did you not watch?

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          1. Sune
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            I sure did. Was not convinced by their performance against Corea.

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    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Any reasoning for Caceres over Godin?
      Can't fault the team - not making the bench fodder mistake, and taking a gamble on Mexico - really like it!

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    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Like it except the punt on Mexico. WC in hand so nothing to worry.

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  7. BlzE_94
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    A or B?

    A) Yoshida + Quintero

    B) Gazinsky + Miranda

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    1. FPL Mentor
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      A

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  8. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    If match draw after 90’ + extra time and continue with Penalty... The point including with penalty or not...?

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    1. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Nope stops after extra time

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  9. Chilli Heatwave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    A Boyata
    B r rod

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    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      B

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    2. JLAEST
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      B no doubt

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  10. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Coutinho or Modric?

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    1. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Modric

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    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Very tough choice - currently have Coutinho but wish I had both - looking for a way!

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    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Coutinho

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    4. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Coutinho

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    5. JLAEST
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Modric for me. Penalties give him the edge. I have both though

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  11. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    RMT Please

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    1. NUFCAndrew
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      oh for god sake

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      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Change the goalkeepers, mids and forwards and it's perfect.

        Also tweak the defence.
        😉

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    2. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I like it because its not template

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    3. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Missing a few pen takers but a pretty out the selection, 10/10

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  12. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    RMT please, hopefully it doesn’t mess up this time

    Subasic Olsen

    Meunier Trippier Carvajal Fagner Pavard

    Coutinho Modric Isco Quintero Claesson

    Kane Hazard Jesus

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    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      well balanced

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    2. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Preferred the other team

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    3. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I wouldn't have Jesus in there. Fagner may not play. Otherwise not bad.

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    4. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Superb

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    5. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      You got a backup transfer incase Pavard doesn't start?

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  13. Scheister
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Gimenez or Caceres?

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  14. tm370
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    This is my WC draft guys - I'm intending to use bench boost. What do you reckon?

    Neymar, Costa, Lukaku
    Isco, Coutinho, Claesson, Quintero, Lingard
    Granqvist, Carvajal, Trippier, Meunier, Miranda
    Subasic, Kawashima

    5k overall no wildcard left but the other chips have been retained.

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    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Kawashima won't get you much on a BB.

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      1. JLAEST
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Agreed. That will likely be a 6-point bench boost which is not what you're looking for

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    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Neymar --> Kane and upgrade Kawashima - good overall

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      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers guys - I think realistically, without the wildcard to play later, BB is not going to be getting any of us many points. As we need to prepare going forward too

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  15. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Is Modric the best mid option after Coutinho & Isco?

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    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      If James is out, yes. Otherwise, him

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      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Really want a differential! Such less midfield options.

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        1. WE GO FOR IT
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Modric isn't really a differential. Rakitic or Eriksen can be good differentials. Even Pogba. Maybe Shaqiri.

          None of these are great picks but on their day can return a high score easily.

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    2. JLAEST
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      For me it's over Coutinho even. Good fixture, in form team, penalties.

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    3. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      yes

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  16. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    RMT
    0.0 Itb
    Alisson - Olsen
    Carvajal - Godin - Miranda - Meunier- Maguire
    Isco - Modric - Coutinho - Clasesson - Inui
    Kane - Lukaku - Costa

    Not sure about Costa, Mbappe a better option? Will give me 0.1 mil to get Quintero also.

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  17. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Ok, think I know what the answer is gonna be, but gonna ask anyway:

    A) Strinic, Modric, Quintero
    B) Carvajal, Lingard, Carrasco

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    1. JLAEST
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      A by a mile. However I'd try and get Carvajal somewhere, don't believe there are many 5.5 better than him

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      1. DantheManinaPan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        My other defenders currently are Muslera, Subasic, Granqvist, Rodriguez, Maguire and Godin - would be difficult for me to get extra funds from midfield or up front - Would you recommend any changes here? I like the penalty takers, and Godin + Maguire both have strong chances of clean sheets and set piece returns.

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        1. JLAEST
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Godin > Carvajal. Much better fixture. No chance of set piece returns but higher chance of assists.

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        2. JLAEST
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Even more true with the Uruguay double up you have

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          1. DantheManinaPan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Ok thanks for the input 😀

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    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      A

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  18. JLAEST
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Why the love for Sweden? is it last match effect, good quality for the price or both?

    Not only I imagine Switzerland will go through, but also most of the popular picks will be a pain to replace

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    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I agree. Personally I'm only getting Granqvist and Rodriguez respectively and hoping that there are some penalties!

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    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I have Granqvist and Rodriguez - should be nice if either team gets a penalty. Also gone for Claesson as he has had great attacking returns so far for his price - if they go out it's not a huge disaster

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  19. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    RMT please;

    Subasic Kawashima
    Granqvist Carvajal Trippier Meunier L.Hernandez
    Modric Isco Coutinho Claesson Quintero
    Hazard Kane Costa

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    1. JLAEST
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Like. Remember to check if Hernandez starts.

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  20. soup natsi
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    A. Alisson and Trippier
    B. Pickford and Thiago Silva

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    1. JLAEST
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      B with Miranda and 0.5 in hand

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    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      If I was choosing teams specifically for defensive spots, I'm not sure England and Brazil would be my top choices. I've gone for Muslera and Subasic as my keepers, and of those, I think Trippier is a great bet.

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  21. LAMB TEA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    RMT plz

    Subasic Olsen

    Lovren Trippier Carvajal Miranda Granqvist

    Coutinho Modric Lingard Quintero Claesson

    Kane Hazard Lukaku

    planning to use bench boost

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  22. BlzE_94
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Drop one please:

    A) Meunier
    B) Trippier
    C) Miranda
    D) Carvajal
    E) Granqvist

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    1. Bambi
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      E. save yourself a transfer

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    2. JLAEST
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Independent of price, E. Considering prices, A (might be rested/subbed)

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    3. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      C

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    4. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      C

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    5. Louis_Sans_Balls
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      A

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  23. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Allison - Kawashima
    Ramos - Godin - Lovren - Akanji - Meunier
    Isco - Coutinho - Paulinho - Claesson - Inui
    Lukaku - Griezmann - Kane

    All set and ready to go?
    Tempted by Ramos to Carv to save 1.0 for next round?

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    1. JLAEST
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I'd do Ramos to Carv and Paulinho to Modric.

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    2. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Looks good, Ramos is on pens so I’d probably keep him.

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  24. SeantheYank
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Here's what I've got as of now:

    Muslera - Sommer

    Carvajal - Caceres - Meunier - Fagner - Granqvist

    Modric - Quintero - Coutinho - Claesson - Isco

    Costa - Lukaku - Jesus

    I'm planning on dropping Jesus and Meunier, but not sure who to replace them with yet. I'd like to get Kane on that frontline. 1.4 ITB. So I need to find 0.7 to upgrade Jesus to Kane. Who's the best defender option 5.3 or lower? Maybe Lovren?

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    1. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Kane + Lovren looks excellent - strong team

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  25. UshFPL
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Pique, Trippier or Thiago Silva? Already have Miranda and Carvajal but not confident in England vs Colombia

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    1. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Really don't think Brazil defence is worth doubling up on - do you have Godin? I'd pick him - otherwise, of those three, Trippier

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      1. UshFPL
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I don't have Godin. Considering him now but it's tough to pick a defender who's playing Ronaldo

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        1. DantheManinaPan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Understandable, but Uruguay have not conceded once so far this tournament, and also Godin can be threat from set pieces - could understandably go either way

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          1. JLAEST
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            That only means they're bound to concede... And I believe it's soon. Uruguay defs an awful pick for me

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            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Wut

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    2. JLAEST
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Trippier I'd say. You're basically getting a winger for 5.5, which also has an higher clean sheet bonus!

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  26. Andy Unsocial
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Hello mates !!

    How's this team looking ?

    Courtois Olsen
    Carvajal Lovren Fagner Granqvist Akanji
    Isco KDB Quintero Claesson Coutinho
    Kane Lukaku Costa

    Looking to play the BB as well.

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  27. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Will Pavard play? Anyone got any insight in this?

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    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      we will get the lineups before the deadline. L'Equipe might give us a hint though.

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      1. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I’ll be on a flight so really keen to find out. It would be superb if he is a starter. Cheap as chips.

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        1. WE GO FOR IT
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Wait for the rumoured lineups. L'Equipe usually gets it right.

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    2. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      We’ll get the lineups before the deadline. Just if you have him, make sure you have a backup plan to change to.

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  28. BlzE_94
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Considering i have Olsen would you pick A or B

    A) Miranda + Sakai

    B) Granqvist + Yoshida

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    1. SW6
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      a

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    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      None. Japan are no-go tbh. Just a transfer waiting to happen. Can see Belgium put 3 or 4 past them.

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    3. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Neither

      Get Granqvist and save some more money to get a player who's not gonna go out

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    4. BlzE_94
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      But having a Japanese player is the only way i can keep Quintero in the team

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  29. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Hazard or griezmann?

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  30. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Trippier looking like a must imo. corners, freekicks, great assist potential with kane up top.

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    1. JLAEST
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      He's on corners? That might just make me change everything again to get him...

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      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        He is.

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