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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. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Lukaku or Costa
    Also how's this team for a WC + BB?
    Ochoa schemeicel
    Akanji varela salcido idowu dalsgaard
    Eriksen Coutinho Jrod cheryshev Layun
    Kane Cavani Costa/lukaku
    G2g and solid right?

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Top comment

    2. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Costa

      1. Lord of Ings
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

        How's the team looking?g2g?

        1. Norman Conquest
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 4 days ago

          yea gtg i would go costa over lukaku and maybe isco over jrod

    3. Rider on the Storm
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Costa most lykly to play game 3

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

    Wich upgrade is better

    Falcao>Cavani
    Ziyach> to someone

    1. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Cavani

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

      Falcao > Cavani all day.

  3. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Caballero (2)
    Trippier (2) Kimmich (2) Danilo (2)
    Ziyech (2) Isco (2) Cueva (2) Rodriguez (0)
    Mbappe (2) Jesus (2) Cavani (C, 4)

    Uzoho (1) Granqvist (12!?!?!) Rodriguez (2) Al Darsawri (2)

    Is that just super unlucky or a rubbish team? Forgot to sub Granqvist in..

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

      Oh dear 🙁

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      unlucky

    3. The Darkest Knight
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      super unlucky...

    4. Rider on the Storm
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Unlucky

    5. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      You left Cavani as captain?

      1. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

        I had max captain activated

        1. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 4 days ago

          Unlucky then

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

          Mega ouch!

        3. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 4 days ago

          Haha thank you 😆 Made my day, unlucky mate

    6. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Savage

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

    What we saying?

    Halldorsson - Ben Mustaapha

    Taglificio - Salcedo - Pavard - Varela - Akanji

    Isco - Coutinho - Golovin - Layun - Inui

    Kane - Messi - Suarez

    Captains Round 2:

    Golovin v Egypt
    Suarez v Saudi Arabia
    Messi v Croatia
    Coutinho v Costa Rica
    Layun v Tunisia
    Kane v Panama

    Captains round 3:

    Suarez v Russia
    Messi v Nigeria
    Coutinho v Serbia
    Lewandowski v Japan (subbed in for Kane potentially).

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

      Scotty B?

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

      Needs more Ronaldo

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

        Had him, Meza and Kimmich before and no Suarez.

        Uruguay got to get goals against Saudi Arabia and Russia you'd think.

        Granted Ronaldo has Iran and Morocco...

    3. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Where's Atsu?

  5. The Darkest Knight
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    any better option than Nandez at 5.0???

    1. Sif
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      He might be dropped, was poor and his sub got the assist/looked much better.

  6. palace ash
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    So after all of that, is it:

    A) Mbappe (Peru) -> Costa (Iran)
    B) JRod (Poland) -> Isco (Iran)

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

      A

    2. Rider on the Storm
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      B

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

      A

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

    Final WC team -

    Ochoa El shenawy
    Guerriero Pique Danilo Kimmich Akanji
    Coutinho Golovin Cheryshev Layun Meza
    Costa Cavani Messi

    Any changes needed ?

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      I’d still rather Kane or Ronaldo over Messi but otherwise good to go. Maybe if it wasn’t Croatia Messi was playing but they are always solid.

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

        Thankss for the input !

  8. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    No Bednarek 🙁

  9. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Is Varela nailed for the final group games?

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

      Seems to be

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

      Ye

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

    JRod -> Isco or Eriksen

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Isco

    2. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      If not WC round 3 then Isco as Eriksen has FRA, otherwise Idk

  11. CellinoArmy
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Wild Carded Just Now

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

    Recommendations? Got 4 mil to play with.

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Busquets and Vecino?

      Isco for Busquets.

  12. Paddy Gooner
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    What's up with Lo Celso (ARG)?? Is he likely to play rd.2 or should I transfer him for minus 4 pts.? Was thinking about
    A) Cheryshev,
    B) Layun or
    C) someone else (up to 9M) or
    D) save the -4 pts (have Isco, JamRod, Willian)?

  13. Rider on the Storm
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Behlanda out for
    A cheryshev
    B sassi
    C layun
    ?

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

      C

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

      C

  14. anish10
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Many of you taking Jesus out?

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

      Sticking

    2. Sif
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      If on WC would you ditch Griezman for Cavani/Suarez?
      Costa & Lukaku other two.

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

        I would top prioritize Uruguay forward if I was on a wildcard.

  15. Lewa
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Is there any point on keeping Hakim Ziaych in my team ?

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

      Im not but I have a weird feeling about it.

  16. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Is this Wildcard squad and play Bench boost good to go?

    Ochoa Uzoho
    J Alba R Rodriguez Guerreiro Giminez Varela
    Isco Coutinho Layun Meza Gazinsky
    Cavani Kane Lukaku

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

      Swell.

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

      Gazinsky > Inui.

      How come you don't have Ronaldo if you're on a Wildcard?!

      Ochoa + Alba + Lukaku > Mustapha + Nacho + Ronaldo

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

        Very fair point. Because I will captain Cavani and Ronaldo plays same day so getting Kane and Lukaku as both options later in week

  17. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Who to dump/best improvement?

    A) Jesus > Costa
    B) J-Rod > Isco
    C) Aldawsari > Inui

    1. Latch86
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      B

  18. Latch86
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Keep the faith with Messi?

    Or transfer out for another big hitter - Kane / Ronaldo / Costa / Cavani / Suarez all tempting me!

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Kane forsure

    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Kane va Paname also on pens

  19. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Jrod to Coutinho?

    1. Latch86
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      If you haven't got any other attacking Brazil coverage, yes

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

        Yes, I don’t. Thanks

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

    Not doing great in the McD's game, 53pts overall leader on 106pts.

    But in The Telegraph game, 54ptrs overall leader on 236pts. Big LOL.

  21. intek7
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    First time posting:

    Please RMT: WC active plus bench boost

    Gk: Muslera, Uzoho

    Def: Danilo, Maguire, Alba, Varela, Akanji

    Mid: Meza, Inui, Coutinho, Layun, Isco

    Fwd: Ronaldo, Lukaku, Cavani

    Thank you

  22. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    With one ft should I?
    A) Mbappe to Costa
    B) Willian/JRod to Isco

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      b

  23. Kasper the ghost keeper
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Costa and Belhanda or Jesus and Layun?

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      That’s a tough one, Belhanda a tough fixture so maybe Jesus and Layun.

      1. Kasper the ghost keeper
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 days ago

        Cheers, bit worried Jesus will get dropped for Firmino

  24. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Saudi keeper to Galesse* worth -4 ?

    Not playing on the same day as Uzoho in round 2

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

      Definitely not. I wouldn't take a points hit unless someone is dropped/injured.

  25. Fifa las vegas
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    A) Godin + 4.5def (Ignashevich)
    Or
    B) Varela + Salcedo

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      And Kane or Ronaldo?

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

    The McD's fantasy game should allow you to pick four forwards given they've classified so many wide players as such.

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 days ago

      Extremely frustrating alright.

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

    Can Costa keep up with Ronaldo? Need the money.

  28. KaKa37
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Best midfielder for 5.0M?

  29. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 days ago

    Need to transfer Cueva out. Who is the best 6.0 mid to bring in?

    Thanks a lot