Everyone usually dreads the international break, but with the World Cup qualifiers drawing to a close, there was actually some excitement this past week. The big headlines are that Argentina have to win their final game to get at least a play-off place, and that the Netherlands’ fate is all but sealed – requiring a 7-1 win or better against Sweden to make the play-offs. England limped through once again, and it was a real mix for the other home nations with Scotland eliminated, Northern Ireland through despite defeat and Wales going down to the wire.
With so many talking points, there are many players who could have made the FIFA 18 Team of the Week, so we have predicted the starting XI.
Pedro Gallese (OVR 74 – 74)
With Argentina staring World Cup elimination in the face, they needed three points up against qualification rivals Peru. Lionel Messi & Co. didn’t account for Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese to put in a fine performance, making six saves in the 0-0 shut out. Peru are currently sitting in fifth place in the South American qualification table, above Argentina only on goals scored, which would be enough to take them through to a play-off. Peru now face Colombia, whilst Argentina travel to the already eliminated Ecuador in the final round of fixtures.
With Gallese already having a maxed-out silver rating of 74, his overall rating will not improve if he makes the Team of the Week. The Tiburones Rojos goalkeeper is a rare item on Ultimate Team, with no known sales.
Joshua Kimmich (OVR 81 – 85)
Germany right back Joshua Kimmich is in the form of his life, and with already one Team of the Week appearance this season for Bayern, he may now record one for the national team. The versatile 22-year-old scored and assisted in the 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland, meaning he now has the most assists in European World Cup qualifying with eight. The defender has also played every single minute of Germany’s last 22 fixtures.
With Kimmich receiving an 84 overall rating in TOTW 1, his usual 81 rating looks likely to shoot up to 85 on Ultimate Team on Wednesday. His standard card will cost you 1,200 coins on PS4 and 900 on XB1.
Andreas Granqvist (OVR 80 – 83)
It was an 8-0 mauling for Sweden over Luxembourg, with centre back Andreas Granqvist bagging a brace. The big win means that Sweden are just one point behind Group A toppers France with one game to go, but and unless they lose to Holland 7-1 or worse, they will have a play-off spot.
Krasnodar defender Granqvist could see his 80 rating reach 83 this week, with his current price between 450 and 600 coins on both consoles.
Kendall Waston (OVR 74 – 78)
Everyone wants to be the man who sends their country to the World Cup, and Costa Rica centre back managed to do just that in the 95th minute. The 29-year-old popped up to grab the equaliser against Honduras, meaning Costa Rica have a six-point gap with just one game to go.
The Vancouver Whitecaps man does have a silver high 74 rated card, but with his last-minute effort, that could rise into the golds – and maybe earn him a purple hero card. On FIFA 17 these were cards given out to players who had almost single-handedly won matches or got results for their sides. Waston’s current price is just 750 coins on PS4 and 1,000 on XB1.
Mohamed Salah (OVR 83 – 85)
Sound the Ones to Watch alarm as Mohamed Salah is likely to see his 83 rating increase. The Liverpool summer signing grabbed both goals for Egypt in the 2-1 win over Congo, with the second a 95th minute penalty. His performance may not only just increase his Ones to Watch black card, but also give him a purple hero card as well.
The 83-rated right winger will currently set you back 45,000 coins on PS4 and XB1, with his Ones to Watch card going for over 300,000 on both consoles. A rating increase of two is likely for TOTW 4.
Christian Eriksen (OVR 87 – 88)
Christian Eriksen is a man in form. After a very strong start to the season with Tottenham, the attacking midfielder took this to the international stage, scoring two goals for Denmark over the international break. The 25-year-old’s first was the only goal in the 1-0 win over Montenegro, with the second a penalty in the disappointing 1-1 draw against the 10 men of Romania. The Danes will now have to play-off for their World Cup future.
Eriksen’s 87 rating will most likely only increase by one this week, with his current price a whopping 100,000 coins on PS4 and 95,000 on XB1.
Steven Zuber (OVR 75 – 78)
Switzerland took one step closer to World Cup qualification with an exciting 5-2 win over Hungary. Basel man Steven Zuber grabbed two of the goals, which means the Swiss only need a point against European Champions Portugal to reach the World Cup finals.
Left-wing-back Zuber made the step up to left midfield this week, and his more attacking position clearly paid dividends. His 75 rating should rise to 78 this week (depending on the result against Portugal) with the Swiss international setting you back 500 coins on both consoles.
Mohamed Elyounoussi (OVR 78 – 82)
Norway wide man Mohamed Elyounoussi bagged a hat-trick as the already eliminated Norway smashed minnows San Marino 8-0. The Norwegians should look to build on this qualifying campaign, with the next European Championships a goal to aim for.
The left midfielder could increase to 82 this week after his goals, with Basel man Elyounoussi only currently setting you back 700 coins on both consoles.
Khalid Boutaib (OVR 71 – 74)
Another man to bag a hat trick this week is Moroccan striker Khalid Boutaib. The forward applies his trade for Turkish side Yeni Malatyaspor, and he grabbed all three as Morocco beat Gabon 3-0. With one game to go, Morocco lead Ivory Coast by one point in Group C with the pair meeting on November 6.
Boutaib should see his overall rating of 71 increase to a silver high of 74 this week. His current price is around 800 coins on both consoles.
Robert Lewandowski (OVR 91 – 92)
Another man who is banging in the goals is Poland striker Robert Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich man scored four over the international break, including a hat-trick in the 6-1 win over Armenia. Two comfortable wins have ensured Poland will be at the World Cup in Russia, with the only question whether Cristiano Ronaldo can eclipse Lewandowski’s qualifying return of 16 goals with a game to spare.
The 91-rated Lewandowski will increase to at least 92 this week, but he is an expensive purchase, costing around 300,000 coins on both consoles.
Harry Kane (OVR 86 – 88)
A man who just can’t stop scoring. Harry Kane has been in outrageous form since September 1st, netting 15 goals in his past 13 games for club and country. He netted goals in both 1-0 wins over Slovenia and Lithuania, being one of England’s very limited shining lights over the international break.
This week could bring Kane’s second TOTW appearance of the season, meaning his overall rating could increase from 86 to 88. The Spurs striker’s standard card is currently on the market for around 100,000 coins on both consoles.
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Who do you think will make the Team of the Week? Who’s going to make it to Russia? Let us know in the comments section below.