Football has completely returned for the new season, with the commencement of the Bundesliga meaning all of Europe’s big five leagues are up and running for 2018/19. Starting in Germany, champions Bayern Munich got things underway with a routine victory over Hoffenheim whilst Borussia Dortmund produced trademark fireworks in a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig.
In the Premier League, Tottenham piled more misery on Manchester United with a 3-0 triumph and over in Spain, Real Madrid look to be coping without Cristiano Ronaldo after defeating Girona 4-1. As for Ronaldo, his wait for a first Juventus goal goes on after failing to find the net in a 2-0 win over Lazio, whilst Fiorentina hit six past Chievo. Lastly, in the French Ligue 1, PSG built momentum with a 3-1 win over Angers, but they were outscored by both Amiens and Dijon who netted four apiece.
Over the weekend’s action there were some incredible individual performances, and the best of those will be awarded a spot in FIFA 18’s Team of the Week. 23 players will receive an in-form rating boost on FIFA Ultimate Team, with the squad available from 6pm BST on Wednesday, August 28. You can challenge the squad for a coin bonus, find the players in packs on the FUT store or trade them on the transfer market.
RealSport looks at who could make the starting 11 for the Team of the Week this time around.
Fernando Pacheco (OVR 77 – IF 81)
Starting in Spain, Fernando Pacheco put in a remarkable performance in between the sticks for Alaves against the big spending Real Betis. Pacheco made nine saves to ensure his side clung on to a 0-0 draw to give them their first point of the season.
Pacheco’s heroics should see his 77 overall rating climb to 81 this week. You can claim his base gold card for 400 coins on PS4 and 600 on Xbox One in Ultimate Team.
Jeffry Fortes (OVR 67 – IF 78)
Defensive midfield Jeffry Fortes switched to right back for Excelsior’s clash with Breda in the Dutch Eredivisie, and the 29-year-old shone at both ends of the pitch. The Cape Verde international scored and kept a clean sheet in the 2-0 victory, Excelsior’s first win of the campaign.
Fortes’s overall should jump from 67 to 78 this week and expect his CDM position to move to RB. His base card will set you back 1,200 coins on PS4 and 10,000 on Xbox One.
Harry Maguire (OVR 79 – IF 83)
Harry Maguire was targeted by Manchester United over the summer following his superb World Cup with England, but the Leicester man has kept his head down and is producing the goods for his club. The centre back popped up with a long-range injury time winner for the Foxes over Southampton, with the 2-1 win lifting Leicester to seventh in the Premier League table.
Maguire’s strike should take his 79 overall to a much more realistic 83 in-form rating, with his base card priced at 550 coins on PS4 and 1,100 on Xbox One. The defender’s 88 Festival of Futball card will cost you 41,750 on PS4 and 43,000 on Xbox One.
Domenico Criscito (OVR 80 – IF 84)
Domenico Criscito is an experienced player having spent seven years in Russia, but the left back has returned to his first club Genoa this season. The Italian international grabbed two assists in the victory over Empoli in his first game of the season for Genoa after their opener was postponed due to the bridge collapse in the city.
Criscito’s 80 overall rating should be lifted to 84 this week, with his left back position adjusted to left wing back. The 31-year-old’s base card will cost 1,000 coins on both consoles.
Lucas Moura (OVR 82 – OTW 85)
Lucas Moura blew Manchester United’s defence away on Monday night, and that was even before he netted twice in Tottenham 3-0 win at Old Trafford. The Brazilian has started the season superbly, and he may have had extra motivation this weekend after United attempted to sign him before he joined PSG in 2013.
After being awarded a Ones To Watch card on Ultimate Team following his move in January, the wait looks to be finally over for Lucas to receive a boost. The right winger’s 82 overall should improve to 85, with his base card costing 3,800 coins on PS4 and 4,500 on Xbox One. His Ones To Watch dynamic card will cost 50,000 on PS4 and 48,000 on Xbox One.
Piotr Zielinski (OVR 82 – SIF 85)
Piotr Zielinski shone in Napoli’s 3-2 win over AC Milan, with the Pole netting twice for manager Carlo Ancelotti on his return to the San Siro. It’s now two wins out of two for Ancelotti at his new club, meaning they sit second behind Juventus in Serie A.
Zielinski’s brace should take his 82 overall to a second in-form card of 85. His base item costs 950 coins on PS4 and 1,600 on Xbox One whilst and 83 in-form will set you back 29,250 on PS4 and 50,000 on Xbox One.
Jens Toornstra (OVR 77 – IF 82)
Goals were flying in when Feyenoord faced Heerenveen at the weekend, with the Rotterdam-based club claiming a 5-3 victory. Midfielder Jens Toornstra netted a brace in the victory, moving Feyenoord up fifth in the Eredivisie.
Toornstra’s overall should improve from 77 to 82 on Wednesday, and his position could slide back from attacking midfield to central midfield. His base card costs 500 coins on PS4 and 450 on Xbox One.
Francois Kamano (OVR 75 – IF 81)
Bordeaux’s Francois Kamano was the undoubted star for his side as they picked up a superb 2-1 victory over French giants Monaco. Left winger Kamano netted both Bordeaux goals, tearing the opposition defence apart with his incredible pace.
On Ultimate Team, his 75 overall rating should improve to 81 and you can claim his base card for 650 coins on PS4 and 750 on Xbox One.
Moussa Konate (OVR 74 – IF 79)
Staying in France, Moussa Konate also grabbed a brace, but also notched an assist in Amiens’ 4-1 win over Stade de Reims. It’s the first points of the season for Amiens, with the victory taking them out of the relegation zone and up to 14th in the table.
Konate’s 74 overall should now improve to 79, and you can get his base card for 1,300 coins on PS4 and 3,400 on Xbox One.
Luuk de Jong (OVR 76 – SIF 83)
Luuk de Jong has been a highly regarded forward for some time, and the PSV Eindhoven man maintained his reputation with a brace in the 2-0 victory over Zwolle. PSV sit atop of the Eredivisie standings with three wins from three as they look to defend their title.
De Jong’s 76 overall should improve to a second in-form card of 83, with his base rating priced at 400 coins on PS4 and 500 on Xbox One. The Dutchman’s 81 in-form costs 31,000 on PS4 and 48,750 on Xbox One, with his 89 Team of the Season item setting you back 77,000 on PS4 and 50,000 on Xbox One.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (OVR 77 – IF 82)
Over to PSV’s rivals Ajax, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored twice and grabbed an assist in a 5-0 thrashing of Emmen. Huntelaar has started the season superbly, netting six goals in eight appearances already in the campaign.
Huntelaar’s performance should take his 77 overall to 82, with his base card valued at 700 coins on PS4 and 650 on Xbox One.
RealSport’s TOTW 44 prediction
