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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. CellinoArmy
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    lmao anyone who had cuadrado. wat are colombia doing...

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

    2 questions:

    1. Eriksen or Coutinho
    2. Siggy or BSilva

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

      Tough but probably Coutinho and Bilva

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

      Eriksen and Siggy in my opinion.

    3. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Eriksen & Bilva

  3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Cuadrado off. Fantasy managers owning Trollombia players being punished

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

    Best 4.5 mid to replace Sanchez with? Lol

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Inui

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

      Gazinsky?

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

        Was just thinking this.

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

    James -> Isco/Coutinho worth a -4? I'll probably wildcard next week

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

      No, he might play MD2

  6. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    We still have 5 hours till deadline right?

  7. Kolarov Fpl Legend
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    17.5 mil for attacker & mid.
    Cr7 & Costa already in, as are Isco & William from the midfield.
    Suggestions?

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Easier this way;

      Inui, William, Isco, Layun, xxx
      Cr7, Costa, xxx

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Messi + Cheryshev ?

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

      Suarez/Cavani and carrascco ?
      Or Jesus/cavani and Bernardo Silva ?

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

    Who do you hate more - James Rodriguez or James Corden?

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

      david warner

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

      Steve McClaren

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

      Bender Bending Rodriguez

  9. Eden Wizard
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Isco gonna cost me -8. Ouch, no deal!

  10. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Kagawa was feeling confident this morning. Fair play.

    https://twitter.com/evilkagawa/status/1009017876425080832?s=17

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

    Any chance James is fit for next game?

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

      Get rid, not worth the stress. If COL played first it wouldn't be such a big deal, but it's annoying that he's on the last day every time.

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

        I'm getting rid.

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

      Yes, there's a chance

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

    Which one ?
    A) Isco and Mbappe
    B) Pogba and Costa
    Rn im tempted more towards B...How about you guys ?

  13. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    The probable French 11 to face Peru on Thursday via LEquipe: Lloris, Hernandez, Varane, Umtiti, Pavard, Matuidi, Kante, Pogba, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud.

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

      source?
      Seeing a lot of talk of Pavard being dropped on RedditFPL

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

        *via LEquipe... Ignore me :p

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

          🙂

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

        I was thinking of WC'ing him in. £4.5 is great value for a France Def.

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

    Good result for England if it stays like this...

    1. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      We are playing the best group in the last 16 regardless.

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

        Should beat everyone in this group anyway. Even Poland.

  15. BBC_TF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I am locked on James to Isco.

    Would you take a hit to do either of:
    A/ Jesus to Costa
    B/ Cueva to Golovin
    C/ Belhanda to Trezeguet

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

      That's a move I'm considering too.

      Not sure about the other moves though.

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

    Sneaky form Quintero

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

    Colombia goal - Quintero. Clever free kick under the wall

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

    LOL Japan keeper telling lies.

  19. Saxe-Gotha
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    wow

  20. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    300IQ freekick.

  21. Kolarov Fpl Legend
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I thought Japanese are honorable men?.

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

    LOL - Japanese GK thinking he can con the referee that the ball hasn't gone over the line when there is goal line technology in play.

  23. Waynoo
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Should never have been a free kick. terrible ref

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

    there we go.

    5,5m milf sorted

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

      James out for next game too?

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

        no idea. not interested.

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

      James coming back though

  25. dark91
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    What are the Japanese players arguing about?!!!

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

      the free kick should have been theirs

      1. dark91
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Oh ok I thought they were denying it crossed the line like their keeper was claiming

  26. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    How do you let that in GK

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

    Disgraceful from the Japanese gk. Gets beaten by a weak fk then lies about the ball crossing the line

  28. QuintonFortune25
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Ziyich, J.Rod and Aldawsari to Isco, B.Silva and Inui worth a minus 8?

  29. Winter_is_coming
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Maguire will keep his place against Panama?

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

      I would think so. One of England's best players.

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

      Yes. Unless Southgate rotates to stay fresh vs Belgium.

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

      For sure

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

      Played well yesterday so you'd think so

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

      Not sure we need to play 3 CBs against Panama, but think he will for continuity.

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

      Yes, but Cahill could come in for Belgium

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

    Lewa looking good for my WC team in GW3. Japanese defense quite suspect.