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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. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Seen quite a lot of moaning about England online (somehow despite winning and bossing the game). This game just goes to show how bad it can go for a team!!!

    1. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Haters gonna hate.

    2. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Only saw the last half hour but they did seem to be making awfully hard work of dealing with Tunisia.

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

        If you'd only seen the first half an hour you'd think they were going to win the WC.

    3. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I've said this before but we have the worst fans in the world. It's ironic that we blame the media for being negative, but the fans are just as bad.

      The negativity honestly makes me sick. Reading through comments on SportBible post yesterday from our own fans saying "It's only Tunisia" instead of enjoying the win.

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

        I agree, toxic fans and media must play a significant role in players not performing for England. Sterling being a prime example, so good for City this year but absolutely bobbins last night.

        1. the snazzy viking
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          yeah, the players perform excellent with the full backing of fans and media who will do anything to support England

          sigh

          quite depressing how you hate your own national team - if you don't support them and constantly criticize them, don't take pride when we put in a fantastic performance, but the definition of 'fantastic performance' is probably never enough as even if we beat Panama 8-0, you'd still find someway to condemn YOUR OWN national team

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

        If you watched the BBC documentary about the England managers job on Sunday night you will see how the media destroy the manager.

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

      2nd half was pretty poor, but overall there were way more positives than negatives. Lots of games to go in the tournament, and I'd rather be in England's shoes than Germany's at the moment 🙂

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

        First game nerves for a young team, worried about throwing it away when they should have been out of sight. Fact we won is a huge plus from a game that were drifting to a soul destroying draw.

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

          Yeah - win was huge. Should mean we go into the Belgium match already qualified, so we can go into that match without the fear that usually restricts us and hopefully get a win which will be a massive boost before the knock-outs.

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

            As you said hugely important to get the win, a win over Panama and we can go into the Belgium relaxed, rest a few players, and give opportunities to others, keeping the squad fresh and involved

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

        England certainly making a better start, performance wise, than Germany, Argentina, France, even Brazil.

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

      I'm a Holland fan but I thought England

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

        played well yesterday.

        Tunisia got to 50 mins and played for a draw.

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

      people like to complain, mostly those who have no idea about the game

  2. Kasper the ghost keeper
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Pick one
    A) Belhanda -> Layun
    B) Jesus -> Costa

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

      A

  3. SmilersKnife
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Eriksen vs Australia
    or
    Willian vs Costa Rica

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

      Eriksen

  4. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Simple question:

    A) Ronaldo + Siggy + BSilva
    B) Cavani + Eriksen + Coutinho

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

      B

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

    On WC

    A) Lukaku
    B) Salah & £1.5m

    1. studge15
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Lukaku this week, Salah next week

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

      Keep Lukaku. Tunisia are cap.

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

        They're crap as well as cap!

  6. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Eriksen or Coutinho

  7. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Help!

    Domestic Fantasy League..

    Round 2 Team.. works similar to FPL

    Muslera
    Layun | Hector | Danilo | Meunier
    Cheryshev | Meza | Silva
    Lukaku | CR7(c) | Suarez
    Al-Mayuf | Taglafico | Belhanda | Barcenas

    gtg?

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

      CR7 is not worth it..

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        who would you choose?

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

          Costa/Kane/Cavani/Lukaku/Suarez much better

          1. Siva Mohan
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            for armband?

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

              max captain 😉

      2. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Posters will still say this after his brace in the next game 😉

    2. juggos
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      when is the deadline? is hector fit now? Why'd he miss the last game?

      Does the same team remain for gw3 or can you make changes again?

      I'd be tempted to replace cheryshev, belhanda and your sub gk if there are some other decent budget picks

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        deadline in 5 hours.. out with flu and recovered
        yes.. have 5 transfers thou

  8. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Dammit. I suggested this would be a useful subject for a hot topic. And they only go and make a members only article on it. Suppose I'll have to get membership now.

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

      You're easily bought 😉

  9. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Willian likely to start next game?

  10. GREEN IS GOOD
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Best 5.5 - 6.5 mid apart from Carrasco?

    Busquets any good?

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      If you want to pick up 2 points, yeh

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        So suggest someone better or don't bother replying.

  11. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Most probably Poland XI vs Senegal:

    Szczęsny - Piszczek, Pazdan, Cionek, Rybus - Błaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Zieliński, Milik, Grosicki - Lewandowski

    Source: Polish journalists on twitter

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Milik was terrible at the Euros, hope he doesn't get in the way of Lewandowski again

  12. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I have Sanchez and James in my team. This is a nightmare 🙁

    1. Patch
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Use your FT on Sanchez...how many games will he miss?

      1. Patch
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Sanchez to Gazinsky

        1. Boomerang V
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          I have my wild card active and he is gone

  13. rivercityransom
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    woah, inui is on corners?

  14. yakirh
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Ziyech -> Kagawa good move?

  15. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Essentials whilst on wildcard?

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Costa, Isco, Kane

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

      Penalty takers

      1. Norman Conquest
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        this

  16. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Colombia properly hurt some fantasy teams today. No James, Carlos Sanchez red card and gives away a penalty and Mojico clean sheet gone.

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

      Trollombia

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

    Has anyone here done a World Cup Fixtures spreadsheet and is there a link?

    Thanks.

  18. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    In other news, I also have Kagawa, up to 70pts with Mojico, JRod, Kagawa and Lewandowski still in play.

    No Ronaldo needed here. Team Serbia continue to march strongly.

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      That's superb

  19. CellinoArmy
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    James Rodriguez might be brought on early thanks to the card, espcially seeing Lerma is not the ideal choice to rove that midfield alone.

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

      Depends how fit he is

      1. CellinoArmy
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        early as in 47th as opposed to 70th minute

  20. Sif
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    C.Sanchez, James, Nandez, Pavard
    WC Time?

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

      why is nandez in that list?

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

        Reported to be dropped for Carlos Sánchez who got the assist.

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

      Pavard won't play against Peru?

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

        Maybe the least doubtful on that list, he's not playing in his natural position and has been criticized in the press and social media for being a bit poo.

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

    Kicking myself as i Picked Carrasco over Golovin and Kagawa.

    Anyone else similar?

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Nope, I have both Golovin and Kagawa, with Kolarov and Granqvuist to taste.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        monkey

  22. willl
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Any Sanchez cappers around?

  23. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Carlos Sanchez suspension length??

    1. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      one game

    2. Sif
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      1 game for a professional foul red

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        handball

  24. BelgiumFTW
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    1. Will Pavard play against Peru or is Sidibe back?

    2. Can you transfer a red carded player for 2nd round? Of just sub him out for 2nd round? (C.Sanchez)

  25. Shanty Toon
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Layun over Meza?

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

    Anyone going Suarez over Cavani?

    1. studge15
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I am. Suarez missed two chances last week despite playing poorly. If he has a good game against Saudi he's going to bag a few. On pens as well.

  27. 420king
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Colombia already making the sub. It's not James.

  28. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    The amount of penalties given at this world cup makes premium defenders less attractive. Downgrading them to playing 4.5 options and using the extra moolah to get Messi and Ronaldo is something i'm going to look at

  29. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Cuardado subbed. Wow.

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      got hurt, really going pear shaped for them!

  30. Nando7
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    RMT on wildcard for this round and maximum captain...

    Kane Cavani Costa
    Pogba Eriksen Coutinho Cheryshev
    Trippier Cedric Varela

    Bench: Uzohu Dalsgaard Bentancour 4.0

    Any thoughts appreciated !!

    1. Nando7
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Gk is Ochoa sorry !!