La Liga is so often a two-horse race, but this season it has been all about Barcelona. The Catalans are just one win away from lifting the trophy after remaining unbeaten as Real Madrid endured a woeful first half of the season. Atletico Madrid have had a say in recent seasons, and although a second-placed finish is impressive with a limited squad, they also gave themselves too much to do at the halfway stage.
Given Barcelona’s dominance, it would be easy to fill a La Liga Team of the Season with their stars. Their defence has been rarely tested however, and with Valencia, Real Betis, Villarreal, Getafe and Girona all having promising campaigns, expect the La Liga Team of the Season to be well-balanced.
FIFA 18 are rolling out their Teams of the Season from April 27, with those selected receiving a serious stats boost in Ultimate Team. 23 players will be selected for the La Liga TOTS, and RealSports looks at who could get into the starting lineup.
Jan Oblak (OVR 88 – TOTS 92)
If Jan Oblak was playing for a bigger club than Atletico Madrid, he would be a serious contender in the conversation for the best goalkeeper in the world. The Slovenian has made the most clean sheets this season with 21 and has made the third-most saves (96). Oblak is also on course to win the Zamora Trophy for the third year running, given to the ‘keeper with the lowest goals-to-game ratio.
Oblak’s 88 overall rating should improve to 92 for the Team of the Year. His base card is priced at 42,500 coins on PS4 and 38,500 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Fernando Pacheco
Antonio Barragan (OVR 72 – TOTS 85)
With few right backs excelling this season, the door is open for Antonio Barragan to come in. The Real Betis defender is on loan from Middlesbrough, and has shone upon his return to La Liga, recording seven assists in a great season for the Andalusian side, who are set to qualify for the Europa League.
Barragan’s creativity should see him make the TOTS and take his 72 overall rating to 85. His normal silver card will set you back 3,400 coins on PS4 and 3,3000 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Hugo Mallo
Juanpe (OVR 76 – TOTS 84)
If you’re looking for a goal scoring defender, Girona’s Juanpe is your man. The centre back has scored an impressed five goals this season as Girona remain in with a shout of European football, lying just two points off the Europa League places.
Juanpe’s impressive return should see his 76 overall rating improve to 84. His base card costs 450 coins on PS4 and 550 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Diego Godin
Dakonam Djene (OVR 70 – TOTS 85)
Dakonam Djene has been one of the most impressive defenders in La Liga this season. The Getafe man has made a huge 131 interceptions in the campaign as well as 50 tackles and 42 blocks. Getafe are also in the mix for Europe, with just one point separating them from Europa League football.
Djene may only have a 70 overall rating, but this should rise to an impressive 85 for the Team of the Season. His silver base card is priced at 2,800 coins on PS4 and 2,400 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Samuel Umtiti
Jordi Alba (OVR 87 – TOTS 93)
Jordi Alba looks to have won the title for best left-back in the world after a fantastic season with Barcelona. The Spaniard has chipped in with an impressive eight assists as Barca’s new narrow midfield allows him to bomb forward. Now he needs to take this form into the World Cup this summer.
Alba’s 87 overall rating could hit a superb 93 rating, and he could be an outside contender for the Player of the Season award. His base card will cost 41,500 coins on PS4 and 37,500 on Xbox One, and you get an 88 in-form for 275,000 on PS4 and 329,000 on Xbox One. Alba’s FUT Birthday left wing item is priced at 120,000 coins on PS4 and 131,000 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Jose Angel
Iago Aspas (OVR 84 – TOTS 91)
Another contender for the Player of the Season is Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas. The former Liverpool forward has worked his way into the Spain squad after scoring 20 goals this season and recording a further five assists. Celta look to miss out on Europe, and they may face a fight on their hands to keep Aspas at the club over the summer.
Right winger Aspas has received three in-form cards this season, meaning his 84 base card could hit 91 for the Team of the Season. His normal gold rating costs 6,500 coins on PS4 and 7,000 on Xbox One, with his best in-form, rated at 87, is priced at 80,500 on PS4 and 75,000 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Pablo Fornals
Dani Parejo (OVR 84 – TOTS 90)
Dani Parejo has perhaps been the strongest all-round player in La Liga this season. The Valencia central midfielder has scored eight goals, recorded seven assists and made an impressive 67 tackles as Los Che look to have qualified for the Champions League. After a few tricky seasons, Parejo has brought joy back to the Mestalla, and he is another man who could be heavily coveted in the transfer window.
Parejo’s 84 overall rating should travel to 90 for the Team of the Season. The Valencia captain will cost you 4,700 coins on both consoles, and you can pick his second in-form card for 52,000 coins on PS4 and 49,500 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Geoffrey Kondogbia
Asier Illarramendi (OVR 81 – TOTS 88)
Asier Illarramendi is once again showing the form that took him to Real Madrid a few seasons ago. The Real Sociedad central midfielder has scored seven goals and added five assists this year, but he has not been aided enough by his teammates as the Basque club have fallen into mid-table obscurity.
Illarramendi’s 81 overall rating should improve to around 88 for the TOTS. That 81 base card costs just 800 coins on PS4 and 950 on Xbox One, whilst his 84 in-form will set you back 30,000 on PS4 and 32,250 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Daniel Wass
Goncalo Guedes (OVR 79 – TOTS 88)
Another star player for Valencia this season has been Goncalo Guedes. The left midfielder has shone on loan from PSG, creating 11 goals and scoring four himself. Just 21 and with three Portuguese league titles behind him with Benfica, a bright future lies ahead for Guedes.
Guedes has a 79 overall rating on Ultimate Team, which could improve to 88. His base card is priced at 900 coins on PS4 and 1,100 on Xbox One, with his 83 second in-form costs 24,250 coins on PS4 and 26,250 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Pione Sisto
Lionel Messi (OVR 93 – TOTS 97)
Of course, we couldn’t leave out Lionel Messi. The little Argentine has smashed in 29 goals for Barcelona this season and has added 12 assists playing in his free-role alongside Luis Suarez. Barca have secured the Copa del Rey and are millimetres away from lifting the La Liga trophy, but Messi will want at least one more Champions League before the end of his career, to take him to five European crowns.
The 30-year-old Messi should improve from a 93 overall rating to 97 for the Team of the Season, and his right wing position could move to striker or centre forward. You can pick up his normal gold card for 396,000 coins on PS4 and 384,000 on Xbox One and a 95 in-form costs just over 1 million coins on both consoles. Messi’s 96 striker European Man of the Match card is priced at 1.2 million on PS4 and 2.2 million on Xbox One and his 98 Team of the Year item will set you back just over 2 million on PS3 and 4.2 million on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Cristhian Stuani
Cristiano Ronaldo (OVR 94 – TOTS 98)
Cristiano Ronaldo may have started the season poorly, but the Real Madrid superstar truly showed that form is temporary, class is permanent. The Portuguese has smashed in 24 goals and added five assists, whilst moving in from his usual left wing position to a more conventional number 9.
Ronaldo’s 94 base card should improve to 97 for the Team of the Season, and you can pick up his normal rating for 980,000 coins on PS4 and 834,000 on Xbox One. His 95 right wing FUT Birthday item costs 1.5 million coins on both consoles, whilst a 95 striker Team of the Group Stage card is priced at 1.7 million on PS3 and 1.6 million on Xbox One. CR7’s 96 striker in-form costs 1.9 million on PS4 and 1.7 million on Xbox One with a 97 striker European Man of the Match costing 3.8 million on PS4 and 2.4 million on Xbox One. Lastly his 99 Team of the Year card costs just over 4 million on PS4 and 5.3 million on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Antoine Griezmann
RealSport’s La Liga Team of the Season prediction
Who do you think will make the Team of the Season? Let us know in the comments section below.