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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
    6 years, 4 days ago

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

  2. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Kane or Lukaku?

    1. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      The one who does not know to play high quality football

  3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

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

    1. Pete Campbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      A for me

  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    is now the best time to wc?

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      I have

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

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

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

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

      1. Jebiga
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

        this

    4. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days 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
      6 years, 4 days 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
        6 years, 4 days ago

        discuss?

  5. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 days 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
      6 years, 4 days ago

      i like hegaz and pavard as well

      1. rivercityransom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

        hegazi*

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Salcedo 5m

    3. Meinhoff
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Hegazy, or a Mexican def for 5.0

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

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

    5. Bambi
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

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

      1. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

        Thanks! Hadn't spotted that

    6. Ludo
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Mojica probably your best bet

    7. liiusions
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 days 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
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Thanks all!

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

  6. I Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 days 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
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

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

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

    What is the likely Spain backline for the next 2 games

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Alba - Pique - Ramos - Nacho/Carvajal/Odri

  8. King Klopp
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    I can’t watch. Is Inui playing well?

    1. rivercityransom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

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

      1. King Klopp
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

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

        1. rivercityransom
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 4 days ago

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

  9. Bun Rab
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Honda is On... da. For Kagawa.

  10. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Are there any defenders who are first choice penalty taker?

    1. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Granqvist

    2. rivercityransom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      granquish, rodriguez (swi)

    3. Meinhoff
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Granqvist

    4. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Granquist, R.Rodriguez

    5. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Thanks guys.

    6. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      I guess Tadic is ahead of Kolarov on penalties?

      1. rivercityransom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

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

    7. Eden Wizard
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      also Ramos potentially

    8. Niemi
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 days 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
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Any help would be much appreciated, thanks:

    A - Werner to Costa
    B - James to Isco

  12. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 days 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
      6 years, 4 days ago

      You sure can.

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      what have u been doing so far?

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

        the mind boggles

      2. Reggie Nainggolan
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

        Nothing cos I had on Ronaldo lol

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

      Pavard + Portugal one, and choose sabaly instead of akanji

    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Granqvist +1

  14. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Is Neymar to Ronaldo decent FT ?

  15. Eden Wizard
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Inuessential

  16. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Isco or Erikssen

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Have Costa

    2. studge15
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Eriksen this week, Isco next

  17. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Goal

  18. Meinhoff
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Goal Osako

  19. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

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

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Oh dear

  20. Bun Rab
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Osaka 2-1 Japan

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Honda A.

  21. Waynoo
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    JAPANNNNNNNNNNN

  22. studge15
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Rubbish goalkeeping from Ospina

    1. dark91
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Wouldn't have saved it anyway

  23. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    What a corner!

    Drive Honda!

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      The Power of DREAMS.

  24. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 days 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
      6 years, 4 days ago

      1

  25. Nando7
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 days 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
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Looks good imo

      1. Nando7
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

        cheers !!

    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

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

      1. Nando7
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 days 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
    6 years, 4 days ago

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

    1. Nando7
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

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

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

        I would have Ronaldo as well

        1. Nando7
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 4 days ago

          Whats your full team ?

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 4 days ago

            Ronaldo Messi Suarez
            Coutinho Isco Cheryshev Layun
            Kimmich Varela Akanji
            Ochoa

            Uzoho Inui Sakai Idowu

  27. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    james score you fud

  28. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 days 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
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      That is precisely why I'm waiting

      1. Horlicks esq.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 days 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
      6 years, 4 days 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
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Another bad pick from me... Falcao

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

      Rock me Amadeus

  30. Hampe
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

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

    1. Meinhoff
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Tactical

      1. Meinhoff
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

        And also he was awful

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

      tactical