Members
29 June 2018 0 comments
DavidMunday815 DavidMunday815
Share:

Set-pieces continue to dominate the World Cup Fantasy with many of the top performers finding the net from penalties, corners and free-kicks.

So we’ve collated all the data available to us so Members can assess which nations are the best to invest in for the knockout stages of the World Cup.

It would appear that Uruguay, Spain, Brazil and England are the teams worth looking at, while Croatia look susceptible to set-pieces defensively.

READ NEXT: Our transfer tips and stats for the World Cup Fantasy knockout stages

Our research includes each team’s penalty takers based on who has been handed the responsibility at the tournament itself, in qualifying and in friendlies too.

We’ve listed how many of each type of set-piece each player has taken, but if there is no number next to their name it’s because they took at least one in qualifying and/or warm-up games but are yet to take one at the World Cup itself.

We’ve also calculated which teams concede the most fouls and attempts from set-plays too to help you pick the best match-up from the fixtures.

To clarify, 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 4 is at 15:00 BST on Saturday June 30, so make sure you sort your team in time.

READ NEXT: Our transfer tips and stats for the World Cup Fantasy knockout stages

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, 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 detailing 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.

0 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Salah'd n Sauce
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Don't think Spain have had a penalty so far in tournament - however, Is DSilva the likely taker?

    Open Controls
    1. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Last 2 taken appear to have been Ramos.

      Open Controls
    2. Tempestic
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I think Ramos is on them now

      Open Controls
      1. Salah'd n Sauce
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers

        Open Controls
    3. JLAEST
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Apparently Hierro said was Ramos - at least someone said so before.

      Open Controls
  2. Tempestic
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    What 3 strikers are people look at?
    Currently on Kane, Lukaku and Costa.
    Lukaku or Hazard?
    Is Griezmann worth a look in?

    Open Controls
    1. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I'm on Costa, Lukaku, Kane

      Open Controls
      1. Salah'd n Sauce
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Also I'd say no to Griezmann. They may kick on and find a bit of form but they have looked a bit iffy going forward France.

        Open Controls
    2. JLAEST
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I'm on Kane Hazard and Griezmann.
      Dropped Lukaku for Hazard as he's on pens and Lukaku has been injured.
      Got Griez for Costa as argentina look shaky, he's on pens, and gives you a day 1 captain.

      Open Controls
      1. Salah'd n Sauce
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Is there much been said about the ankle knock?
        All I read was the scan was fine. I suspect he never played against England for the same reason Kane didn't.

        Open Controls
    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Lukaku, Mbappe, Neymar.
      Almost settled unless I get 1m from somewhere to get Griezmann.

      Open Controls
    4. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Kane Lukaku Costa. Stay with it imo

      Open Controls
    5. GertJan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I like Griezmann's opposition and being on pens boosts his potential, but the fact he has been subbed off early is a worry. He also doesn't look as threatening as during the Euros.

      Open Controls
      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        He didn't look great in the first 2 games and then he suddenly blasted off. He is a brilliant player. Must have as I can see France reaching the semis from that group of 4 teams. Pens is a huge bonus.

        Open Controls
  3. SW6
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    I am not a fan of hedging your bets and having 'clashes' within your team. You put yourself in a position with 2 players where the most likely outcomes are either 1 is a success and the other fails, or both fails. I want to go in knowing all players can be a success, not one's success is largely conditional on another's failure.

    For example, owning Granqist and RRod, they are defenders with key interest in their attacking threat; if one succeeds (i.e. scores a penalty or gets attacking returns) the other 'fails' (loses their CS). There is of course the chance both get attacking returns but that would require a high scoring game for that to become more likely. This in turn is statistically unlikely. They could also both succeed if it was 0-0 but then you're asking both of your defenders to keep a CS for 120mins. The same goes for having Quintero as well as Trippier/Maguire (If Quintero scores, you're losing your CS, If Trippier keeps a CS Quintero is blanking). Likewise for owning Claesson as well as Akanji, Ronaldo as well as Godin/Muslera etc.
    I understand the logic in that it feels like you are spreading the risk but I don't think it works like that. I think you're restricting the maximum score your team can get and I'm not sure you are actually raising the mean expected score because of the clashes.

    On top of that, for each set of opposing players you are guaranteed to lose one from the tournament. We only have 3FTs, if you have 3 clashes that is 3 players guaranteed to be gone before any suspensions, injuries, upsets, rotations, drops in form etc remove further players from your squad. Personally, I would not have more than 1 clash within my squad.

    This is just my take on a strategy for coming up with a squad. I think making sure as many of your 15 get through to the QF is a big consideration for those without a WC

    Open Controls
    1. JLAEST
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      It's true that you reduce the maximum points ceiling. I believe you raise the expected score, but that could be debatable. Where your logic fails, however, is considering the picks available at each price range. In FPL, or even in the group stage, you have a wealth of picks at almost any price point. In R16, however, options at each price point are very limited. Taking mids as an example, the only realistic pics you have are:
      Above 8.5: Isco, James, Coutinho, Modric (Paulinho and Rakitic possible but clearly inferior to their teammates)
      Around 6-8.5: Lingard
      Around 5-6.0: Quintero, Claesson
      Below 5: Inui (or fodders which I think are terrible strategy at this point).

      Those great 5-6.0 picks are exactly what almost everyone is clashing, at it's fine. It's fine because while you limit your maximum points, their expected score is so much better than anyone in that range that it actually makes sense. Same goes for defenders (even on a lesser degree) when you talk about Akanji (only 4.5 playing in a favorite) and Granqvist (5.0 def on penalties).

      However, I do agree with your point on transfers - that's why I've been saying all the way from the start that the WC is to be saved until knockouts.

      Open Controls
      1. SW6
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I understand where you're coming from. There is a lack of mid-priced midfielders that seem like good picks, but remember we are basing this on very small samples; teams/players have played 3, or often 2, games. There can be good options that have looked threatening that haven't got lucky and got returns yet.
        I just see a lot of teams that have all 4 of Quintero, Claessen, Maguire & Akanji, sometimes even with a couple more Danes, Swedes, Swiss in there and it seems wrong to me.

        Open Controls
        1. JLAEST
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          And it is from a theoretical perspective. However there are just no alternatives in this case. I don’t fancy either Sweden, Japan or Colombia to go through. Should I then have no mid below Lingard price? It is impossible. Alternative would be to get fodder, which I think is even worse - not only you decrease your maximum points, you also lower your expected points. Of course you can blind bet on a random player, but what are the odds he’ll be critical now if he didn’t show up in 3 games?

          Open Controls
    2. Maddi Son
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah I completely agree with you.

      At one point I had 3 Spain, 3 Croatia in my team. Both likely to get to the QF, but guaranteed to lose 3 players if you have no wildcard. Instead of spreading the risk, I'm gambling on the team I think will get to the Semi's. For example, now I have 3 Spain, 1 Croatia and if it does come off, Modric is easy to replace.

      Open Controls
    3. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I feel that your post is logical in terms of the best potential score - I'm top 30 in the telegraph, and will necessarily fully commit to outcomes because I want to win it.

      But, every competition has shocks. If we go with all the favourites, we won't be able to afford a balanced side, and we also open ourselves up to shocks. If we want to win our mini-leagues we dont need to be perfect, we just have to be sensible in many cases.

      For example, Spain, Brazil, Belgium are heavy favourites, Croatia, France, England favourites, and the other two ties are very hard to call imo. Even going under the assumption that we could afford a team from the favourites, which we can't, we are making ourselves incredibly vulnerable to the less obvious result. Columbia good easily beat England, France could lose to Argentina, and Denmark could beat Croatia. On top of that, England might win 2-1 and Quintero might score. That doesn't change whether you have Trippier or not - the only thing that changes is whether you have the Quintero points. In the same vein, you could go for both Rodriguez and Granquist - both could let goals in, both could get attacking returns, both could get clean sheets. The logic though, behind both of these, is the haul. The 12 pointer from a goal and a clean sheet. These players are rare, and scoring that from one of them could be massive in terms of the overall leaderboard.

      Given the restrictions, and need to protect oneself, I feel that some balance is needed. Imo the sensible strategy is to take 8-10 players from the heavy favourites, in the awareness that those will have tougher games next time round. Then I think it's logical to gamble with one or two assets on the Sweden or Switzerland result, and to take 2 England assets and a clearly undervalued Quintero. We know that the winner of the Columbia vs England game will have a great quarter final tie, so it's sensible imo to cover both assets.

      Open Controls
  4. Bullet Eder
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Money not an option - who would you choose?

    A. Carvajal
    B. Granqvist

    Open Controls
    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Carvajal

      Open Controls
  5. F4L
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    why is no one getting J-Lingz?

    Open Controls
    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I am. But only cause there is no better option in that price range. Don't really fancy him.

      Open Controls
    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I have him

      Open Controls
  6. ragsyboys
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Is Carvajal not a definite starter ?

    Open Controls
    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      he is I believe

      Open Controls
    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Sure is

      Open Controls
  7. Taegugk Warrior
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Cavani-Kane-Lukaku
    Isco-modric-coutinho-claesson-quintero
    Carvajal-strinic-miranda-granqvist-trippier
    Allison-nakamura
    0.0itb

    How s this team looking..?
    G2g

    Open Controls
    1. TaiwanHC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I like it!

      Open Controls
  8. JLAEST
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    A) Pickford Granqvist Strinic
    B) Subasic Pavard Trippier

    Only way to get Trippier in my team. Dependent of Pavard starting of course. Losing Granqvist means I lose a penalty taker but also drop a Swedish (which I don't fancy against Swiss)

    Open Controls
  9. Azathoth
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Score prediction for Uru vs Por?

    Open Controls
    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      1-0. Uruguay win

      Open Controls
    2. JLAEST
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      1-2

      Doubt either side will keep a clean sheet given the other's attackers.

      Open Controls
    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      2-0 Uruguay

      Open Controls
    4. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      1-0 Uruguay.

      Open Controls
  10. SeantheYank
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Lukaku or Hazard?

    Or even Mertens, and then upgrading elsewhere? Haven't heard anything on Lukaku's injury lately.

    Open Controls
    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Hazard is on pens. But Lukaku will get more open play chances.

      Lukaku will play, don't worry.

      Open Controls
      1. willl
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Guess how many shots Lukaku has had so far.

        Open Controls
        1. WE GO FOR IT
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Doesn't matter. People will be creating for him.

          Open Controls
          1. willl
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Does matter, he had 5 shots total against Panama and Tunisia and scored 4 of them, that success rate won't continue and you would expect teams to tighten up now.

            Open Controls
    2. JLAEST
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I'm on Hazard. Pens and no doubt on being fit.

      Open Controls
    3. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Was just wondering the same about the injury above.
      If he is out or even a doubt then Haz becomes even more important to them - and is on pens.

      Open Controls
    4. TaiwanHC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Lukaku

      Open Controls
    5. willl
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Hazard

      Open Controls
  11. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Costa (Have Isco)
    Or
    Hazard (Have Lukaku)

    Hazard means 4.0 second GK but would have Courtois also.

    Open Controls
    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      And Costa would mean?

      Open Controls
      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Olsen as 2 gk

        Open Controls
        1. WE GO FOR IT
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Go for Hazard

          Open Controls
  12. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Is not the real World Cup trophy kept locked away at FIFA headquarters in Zurich Switzerland and only brought to the finals to be presented to the winning team before been taken back and the winners receiving a gold plated bronze replica to take home.

    So when people say it is coming home do they really mean Switzerland? 😯

    Open Controls
    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Nope, we're keeping it this time. They ain't getting it back.

      Open Controls
  13. seewhyaxe
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    have all my chips available, using bb this round.

    Costa / Hazard / Kane

    Modric / Coutinho / Isco / Quintero / Bentancur

    Granqvist / Lovren / Trippier / Meunier / Miranda

    Subasic / Olsen

    is this too templateish?

    Open Controls
  14. CRO KLOPP
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    In every Croatian newspaper is the same lineup
    Subasic
    Vrsaljko Vida Lovren Strinic
    Rakitic Modric Brozovic
    Rebic Mandzukic Perisic

    Only doubt is Brozovic or Badelj
    This lineup regardless who plays puts Modric high up on number 10 behind Mandzukic
    This hasn't been confirmed by Dalic but according to all newspaper very likely
    Cheers
    I will update here on Croatian squad

    Open Controls
    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      If someone wants I'll post source but it's on Croatian

      Open Controls
  15. Emiliano Sala
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Griezmann or hazard???

    Open Controls
  16. JLAEST
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Possibly stupid question: Kane+Coutinho or Neymar+Lingard? Just noticed this change is possible and it's interesting.

    Open Controls
    1. Meinhoff
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      K+C not even close

      Open Controls
    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      KC

      Open Controls
  17. Louis_Sans_Balls
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Latest draft going with strategy of BB this round but no WC, 1.9 ITB

    Muslera - Olssen/Sommer

    Carvajal - Strinic - Trippier - Miranda - Granqvist

    Modric - Coutinho - Isco - Inui - Quintero

    Costa - Lukaku - Greizmann

    Should I upgrade somewhere or save cash for next round? Thoughts?

    Open Controls
  18. Ojpsan1
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Would you rather have Costa or Kane?

    Have isco and carvajal for spain cover and would give me Griezmann-Hazard-Kane/Costa up front.

    Open Controls
    1. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Kane

      Open Controls
  19. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    A. Hazard (JAP) and Carrasco (JAP)
    B. Costa (RUS) and Lingard (COL)

    A or B ? Thanks.

    Open Controls
    1. Ojpsan1
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      B looks better because they are not on the same day, but then on the other hand Belgium will probably beat Jap with a few goals.

      Open Controls
  20. puddingbrood
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    RMT. I'm going with some differentials, but if there are better ideas I'm open to them. And yes, I'm putting all eggs in my basket on purpose.

    Also, is Ramos on penalties or not?

    Cavani/Lukaku/Kane
    Isco/Coutinho/shaqiri/Claessen/inui
    Carvahal/Miranda/Ramos/Grippier/Stones
    Pickford/Mvogo

    Open Controls
  21. H-SF
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Suarez is a good option imo, very capable of scoring against Portugal and if they win France/Argentina

    Open Controls
  22. Chilli Heatwave
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    0.3m short, where can I change?

    Olsen-subasic

    Rrod- Pavard - Carvajal- Meunier- Trippier

    Isco-cout-Modric-Claesson-Quintero

    Hazard-kane-costa

    Open Controls
    1. Ojpsan1
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      R.rod to Granqvist?

      Open Controls
  23. SMax
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    A. Lukaku + Lingard + Claesson
    B. Kane + Modric + Bentankur

    What is better?
    Thanks

    Open Controls
    1. okiwatevs
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      B, if Bentankur starts

      Open Controls
  24. Karan_G14
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Strinic or Granqvist or Akanji?

    Open Controls
  25. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Need to lose 0.5 from this bench boost team!

    Sommer Olsen
    Trippier Meunier Carvajal Miranda Granqvist
    Modric Coutinho Isco Quintero Claesson
    Kane Hazard Costa

    Appreciate any help! 🙂

    Open Controls
    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Trippier to Strinic

      Open Controls
      1. BlzE_94
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        how about maguire?

        Open Controls
        1. WE GO FOR IT
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Nah.

          Open Controls
  26. Original Sin
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    how do u recon Costa will do against Russia?

    Open Controls
  27. Maddi Son
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Hazard - Costa - Lukaku
    Coutinho - Isco - Lingard - Claesson - 4.5
    Ramos - Godin - Gimenez - Stones - Granqvist
    Courtois - Subasic

    Open Controls
  28. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Akanji or Varela or Dalsgaard ?

    Open Controls
  29. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    GTG? I have no WC left fwiw.

    Courtois
    Carvajal Lovren Miranda Meunier
    Isco Coutinho Modric
    Griez Hazard Kane

    Sommer Akanji Quintero Gazinsky

    Open Controls
  30. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    is svensson going to play for sweden?

    Open Controls
    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      With a name like that, you'd have thought so.....

      Open Controls
    2. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Yes he is. Only next game though (Larsson suspended).

      Open Controls
      1. Sune
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        95% at least.

        Open Controls