It’s a crucial phase of the season as the phrase ‘run-in’ comes into play. With European football and domestic cup matches firmly on the menu at this period, picking up victories is vital, as clubs jostle for positions around the relegation zone, European places and at the top of the table.
There were some big clashes this week, but Manchester City showed their class once again defeating Arsenal 3-0 (again) and edging past a highly defensive Chelsea 1-0. Barcelona may have dropped points midweek with a draw against Las Palmas, but they took a massive step towards the La Liga title with a 1-0 victory over closest rivals Atletico Madrid.
In Germany, Bayern Munich showed no signs of letting up with a 4-0 win over Freiburg, and Ligue 1 leaders PSG defeated Troyes 2-0 despite a mountain of injury problems. The most exciting title race comes in Italy, and front runners Napoli have opened the door to defending champions Juventus after losing 4-2 to Roma. All of Sunday's Serie A games were called off due to the tragic death of Italy and Fiorentina defender Davide Astori.
We look at the top performers from the past week’s action and look at who could make the FIFA 18 Team of the Week. The squad of 23 players will be released on Wednesday, March 7 at 6pm GMT. Those selected will receive a new in form rating which will be available in packs in the Ultimate Team store for the next seven days. They can also be bought individually on the FUT transfer market.
Jack Butland (OVR 81 – IF 83)
Jack Butland may have cost Stoke three points against Leicester a week ago, but the goalkeeper made up for that error with a superb performance against fellow relegation battlers Southampton. The England international made six saves on course to a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw, with The Potters just one point inside the relegation zone.
That performance should take Butland’s 81 rating to an in form 83 this week. His normal card is priced at just 900 coins on PS4 and 1,000 on Xbox One on Ultimate Team.
Lewis Dunk (OVR 75 – IF 82)
Brighton took a massive step towards Premier League survival as they saw past a struggling Arsenal side 2-1 at the Amex Stadium. Centre back Lewis Dunk opened the scoring after just seven minutes to pile even more pressure on The Gunners, with The Seagulls flying into 10th place, seven point clear of the drop zone.
Englishman Dunk has a 75 overall rating on Ultimate Team, which could improve to 82 this Wednesday. His bottom-end gold card is priced at just 450 coins on both consoles.
Victor Laguardia (OVR 76 – IF 83)
Another goal scoring centre back, Victor Laguardia popped up in the final minute of normal time to steal three points for Alaves against Levante. Despite being down in 16th place, Alaves are 11 points clear of the relegation zone, and with 11 games to go, they are just a few victories away from guaranteeing their survival.
The 28-year-old Laguardia is rated at 76 on Ultimate Team, and that is likely to improve to somewhere as high as 83 this week. His normal card will set you back just 400 coins on both consoles.
Gabriel Silva (OVR 70 – IF 80)
Left back Gabriel Silva produced one of the performances of the week, notching two assists in Saint-Etienne’s 2-2 draw with Dijon. The Brazilian crossed in twice for striker Robert Beric to score, keeping ASSE seven points away from the relegation zone.
Silva’s superb work should take his 70 overall to 80, and you can get his silver rating for 1,500 coins on PS4 and 1,900 on Xbox One.
Bernardo Silva (OVR 84 – IF 86)
With Raheem Sterling out injured, summer signing Bernardo Silva has the opportunity to prove himself at Manchester City. The Portuguese scored in victories over Arsenal (3-0) and Chelsea (1-0) this past week, and he looks to be finding some form ahead of the World Cup this summer.
Silva’s two goals should give him a first in form rating of the season, so his 84 overall could rise to 86. That normal card will cost 4,000 coins on PS4 and 3,800 on Xbox One on the FUT transfer market.
Lassana Coulibaly (OVR 71 – IF 81)
Angers central midfielder Lassana Coulibaly made an impact off the bench in the 3-0 win against Guingamp. Despite only coming on in the 87th minute, there was still time for the Mali man to chalk up two assists, lifting his side three points clear of the relegation zone in Ligue 1.
Coulibaly is set for a big in form increase this week, and we expect his 71 overall to improve to 81. His normal silver item is valued at 2,400 coins on PS4 and 2,700 on Xbox One, perhaps due to his recent performance.
Erik Thommy (OVR 68 – IF 80)
Left midfielder Erik Thommy switched Augsburg for Stuttgart in January, and the 23-year-old has made a great start to life for Die Roten. Thommy assisted all three goals in the 3-2 victory over Bundesliga basement club Koln, meaning Stuttgart sit six points off the European places.
Thommy could receive the biggest in form boost this week, and we expect his 68 overall to travel to an 80 rating. His normal silver card currently costs 600 coins on PS4 and 1,000 on Xbox One.
Heung-Min Son (OVR 83 – SIF 88)
Tottenham’s strength is they have so many weapons on the pitch, and it was Heung-Min Son’s turn on Saturday to show what he can do. The South Korean bagged both goals in the 2-0 victory over Huddersfield, giving Spurs a five-point gap inside the Champions League places.
Left midfielder Son is in line for a fourth in form card of the season, so his 83 ‘ratings refresh’ card will hit at least 88 if he makes the Team of the Week. His old 82 card costs 1,700 coins on PS4 and 1,900 on Xbox One, with his 83 rating priced at 3,900 on both consoles. An 84 in form striker card will cost you a massive 198,000 coins on PS4 and 185,000 on Xbox One, with an 86 in form valued at 191,000 on PS4 and 156,000 on Xbox One. Lastly, his 87 highest in form rating will set you back 239,000 coins on PS4 and 210,000 on Xbox One.
Antoine Griezmann (OVR 88 – SIF 91)
It may have been a slow start to the season for Antoine Griezmann, but with Diego Costa back alongside him, the Atletico Madrid striker is smashing in the goals. The Frenchman scored all four goals in the 4-0 victory over Leganes, but the defeat to Barcelona at the weekend looks to have ruled Atleti out of the title race.
Griezmann’s 88 overall rating could become a 91 super in form this week, and his normal gold card costs 120,00 coins on PS4 and 95,000 on Xbox One. His 89 in form attacking midfield item is priced at 520,000 coins on PS4 and 500,000 on Xbox One, with a 90 European man of the match card costing 650,000 coins on both consoles.
Edin Dzeko (OVR 84 – IF 86)
With 16 goals so far this season, it’s a surprise that Edin Dzeko hasn’t made the TOTW on FIFA 18, but his brace against previous Serie A leaders Napoli should change that. The Bosnian’s brace in the 4-2 away win gave Napoli just their second loss of the season and lifted Roma into third place.
Striker Dzeko should see his 84 overall improve to 86 this week, and for his normal rating you will need 3,900 coins on PS4 and 3,500 on Xbox One.
Mario Gomez (OVR 82 – IF 84)
Mario Gomez left Wolfsburg to return to Stuttgart in January in a bid to secure a World Cup place with Germany this summer, and his brace against Koln may have come just at the right time. The big striker now has four goals and two assists in eight games for the club, putting his hat firmly in the ring for World Cup selection.
Gomez’s 82 overall could increase to 84 this week, and you can sign him on Ultimate Team for 900 coins on both consoles.
RealSport’s TOTW 25 Prediction
Who do you think will make the TOTW? Let us know in the comments section below.
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