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

    Can see a few goals in Poland v Senegal

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

      Goaland v Senegoal amirite?

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

      Golassos incoming.

  2. azz007
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    repost Please RMWCT.

    Kane* - Ronaldo* - Cavani
    Layun* - Couts - Cheryshev* - Isco* - (Halfredsson*)
    Varela - Menuir - Dalsgaard* - R.Rodgriguez* (Maguire*)
    Ochoa* - Uzoho*

    *denotes drafted in player on WC. any other options?

  3. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Those wildcarding how cheap are you going in defence? Considering losing Kimmich myself. Rest are all 4.5 except one 5.0m def

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

      Cheap, value is further up the field

    2. red forever
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Any recommended 4.5 defenders?

    3. Athletic Bilbo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Steep not cheap for me. Happy to have Finnbogason up front with two Spain big hitters in defence.

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

      What’s your front 3 looking like, Andy?

    5. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I think I am going with Ramos (expectin header) Meunier Trippier Varela Dalsgaard.

      But considering downgrading Ramos to Akandji and upgrading in midfield.

  4. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    How this WC team looking for next 2 rounds??need some suggestions.

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

  5. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    On a WC. How's it looking?

    Ochoa - Ryan
    Danilo - Pique - Varela - Arnason - Akanji
    Isco - Coutinho - Meza - Gallardo - Layun
    Ronaldo - Cavani - Lukaku

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Look good ... If you did Ronaldo to Kane/Costa you could easily upgrade Gallardo/varela/aranson.

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I would rather have Ronaldo. Costa will probably come in for Lukaku in Round 3.

        Midfield didn't really do well for me in Round 1, whereas I got 5 clean sheets and a goal in defence.

        Varela is nailed right?

  6. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    RP
    A. Muller Costa salcido
    B. Isco Costa Hummels
    C. Isco Lukaku Salcido
    D. J. Rod Costa Nacho

    1. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      c

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      C

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

    A) Jesus - Costa
    B) JRod - Isco
    C) Ziyech - Golovin/Cheryshev

    Which one?

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

      No Spain or Russian coverage at the moment

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

      JRod > Isco

      It's what I did and I have all 3 of those.

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

        Cheers.

        Looks like I'll be doing that too. If Colombia still in the running after Poland I'll bring him in on a GW3 wildcard.

  8. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Subbed in Yoshida and James 1 min before deadline...well that was worth it. 4 points out...1 point back.

    Yeesh.

    1. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Ouch!

  9. azz007
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    C all day

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

    Decided to keep Jesus and go for Isco - hope it is good 😉

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

      Same... Can't be worse than it is.

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

      Bobby says hi

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

    I know JRod got a YC and didn't have much impact, but certainly worth keeping right?

    Or would you swap for Coutinho?

    Thanks.

    1. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Coutinho, imho.

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

        Cheers.

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

      Coutinho for sure

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

        Cheers. 2-0 🙂

  12. Tomlette Greggs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Please pick one for Matchday 2:

    A. Lewandowski + Isco
    B. Kane + Golovin
    C. Ronaldo + Layun

    Thoughts appreciated.

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

      C

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Between B and c

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

      C probably.

      But I kinda fancy A to do well.

  13. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    5.0 striker starting for Senegal (Sarr)

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

      Is he playing as a striker or a winger? Research suggests he plays either.

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

    Fonte
    Cedric or
    guerriero

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

      Select 1 5.5 portugal defender please

    2. That Fantasy Guy
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Guerrio

  15. Bun Rab
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    #POL XI vs Senegal: Szczesny, Piszczek, Pazdan, Cionek, Rybus, Blaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Zielinski, Grosicki, Milik, Lewandowski

    #SEN XI vs Poland: K. N’Diaye, Sabaly, Koulibaly, Sané, Wague, Gueye, A. N’Diaye, Diouf, Mané, Sarr, Niang

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

      Cheers bun

  16. That Fantasy Guy
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Which combo?
    A. Cherechev + Maguire
    B. Cueva + Hegazi
    C. Nandez + Trippier

    Cheers

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      A

      1. That Fantasy Guy
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

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

    Man, bad week just got worse:/ C.Sanchez is a donkey:/ I have never started some fantasy campaign this bad:/

  18. BigRomelu66
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Help with this WC team!!!!!

    Ochoa - Uzoho

    Kimmich - Nacho - Guerreiro - Varela - Sabaly

    Coutinho - Isco - Golovin - Layun - Inui

    Ronaldo - Lukaku - Costa

    1. That Fantasy Guy
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Just see if Nacho will play or not

  19. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Jrod owner, what will you do?
    A. Keep, Colombia will play all out
    B. Replace with Isco, Jrod still not fit

    Ta.

    1. That Fantasy Guy
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      B Spain got good fixtures

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      B for me, but depends if you need or want a last day player.

      1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Its between:
        1. Jrod -> Isco
        2. GJesus -> Costa
        Any thought about this?

        If Neymar not fit, Brazil will keep playing GJesus surely?

        1. Bun Rab
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          I think so. B still. How many points you on atm?

          1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            65 pts and its final for R1

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

      B for sure. Spotty fitness + tough fixture. Isco has great fixtures and looked sharp.

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

    Maguire nailed?

  21. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Ha. They really didn’t plan for this at the BBC did they. Can’t hear a word they’re saying.

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

      i think i prefer it

  22. Bun Rab
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    FIFA investigating VAR as England got screwed over like always.

  23. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Jesus > Costa?

  24. The Darkest Knight
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Played wild card in round 2...
    is this the time for bench boost???

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

    Which one for round 2 only?
    A)Jesus and Layun
    B) Costa and Belhanda?

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

    Griezmann JamesRod -> CR7 Lingard (-4) yay or nay?

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

      Nah

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

    Wild Carded Just Now

    Ochoa Sommer
    Pique Godin Rodriguez Meunier Ignasevich
    Gazinsky Vecino Busquets Layun Coutinho
    Costa Cavani Hernandez

    Recommendations?

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

      Got 4 mil left for movement.

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

      Busquets? Unless you're happy with 2 points I don't think it's a particularly good pick

    3. Athletic Bilbo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Ochoa and Sommer play same day round 3

      Busquets a strange pick, better options for that price

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

    What would you do here?

    Al-Muaiouf
    Kimmich Danilo Godin Varela
    Eriksen Coutinho Willian Carrasco
    Mitrovic DeArrascaeta

    Uzoho | Mertens, Munier, JRodriguez

    I'm thinking a simple move of Carrasco > Layun so I don't waste the transfer, and save the 1.0m ITB for R3 (perhaps Mitrovic > Salah against KSA). Any thoughts?

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

      Mertens > Costa possible for a hit, too, if it's likely to pay itself off in the next two games (very possible!)

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Good move

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

        Cheers Cokey

  29. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Team is...
    Muslera/Uzuho
    Trippier/Meurnier/Danilo/Hegazy/Kimmich
    Aldawsari/James/C. Sanchez (COL)/Golovin/Willian
    Jesus/Kane/Mertens

    1FT for GW2
    A Danilo to Godin
    B Willian to Isco
    C JRod to Coutinho
    D Jesus to Costa
    E Jesus to Salah
    F Sanchez to inui

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

    Got mixed up between Telegraph and McDonalds games and tried subbing in Sabaly just now! Oh well probably won’t get CS anyway!