The World Cup is flying by. The second round of fixtures in the group stages is done and dusted, with some nations safely securing places in the Round of 16 whilst others are preparing to head home.
It was revealed last week that FIFA 18 will be doing a Festival of Futball (FOF) celebration during this summer’s tournament in Russia. This consists of Classic World Cup Heroes receiving an FOF card to reflect their performance at previous tournaments, and also FOF cards for those who are performing for each round (matchday) of the 2018 World Cup.
RealSport predicts the starting line-up for the Matchday 2 side, set to be released on FIFA Ultimate Team at 6pm on Wednesday, June 27. The cards will be available in packs on the FUT Store thereafter and can be bought and sold individually on the transfer market. They will not be playable on the World Cup version of Ultimate Team.
Keylor Navas (OVR 85 – FOF 88)
Costa Rica may be heading home from the tournament after a 2-0 defeat to Brazil, but Keylor Navas did manage to keep Neymar & Co. out for the first 90 minutes. It wasn’t until Phillipe Coutinho scored in stoppage time did the dam break, with Neymar adding a second goal before the final whistle. Real Madrid stopper Navas made eight saves in the victory to keep his side in the game.
On Ultimate Team, Navas has an 85 rating which we expect to increase to 88 for the Festival of Futball. His base card is valued around 3,900 coins on both PS4 and Xbox One, with an 86 European Man of the Match item setting you back 28,000 on both consoles.
Under threat from: Manuel Neuer (OVR 92)
Moussa Wague (OVR 64 – FOF 79)
With so many attacking threats in their side, it's a surprise that Senegal right back Moussa Wague was required to grab the second goal in the 2-2 draw with Japan. The Eupen defender raced to the far post to smash home M’Baye Niang’s inadvertent flick-on, to put the African side 2-1 up, but they couldn’t hold on to the win that would have secured knockout football.
Wague has an overall rating of just 64 on Ultimate Team, but this should rise to around 79 on Wednesday. His bronze rating costs 950 coins on PS4 and as much as 5,000 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Kieran Trippier (OVR 78)
John Stones (OVR 80 – FOF 86)
Although England were playing minnows and World Cup debutants Panama, few would have anticipated a goal, let alone for two, for centre back John Stones. The Manchester City man had never scored for England before, and his brace got England off to a dream start in the 6-1 win, where they led 5-0 at half time.
Stones’ goals should warrant a big boost for the Festival of Futball, and we believe his 80 rating will improve to 86. His base card costs 950 coins on PS4 and 1,500 on Xbox One, whilst an 82 Team of the Group Stage item is valued at 16,250 on PS4 and 26,000 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Kenneth Omeruo (OVR 72)
Yerry Mina (OVR 80 – FOF 84)
Yerry Mina is one of the finest goal scoring defenders in the world, and the Colombia centre back added another to his tally in the vital 3-0 win over Poland. Aged just 23, the Barcelona defender has 26 goals to his name for club and country, and no doubt has a bright future ahead of him.
Mina’s 80 overall rating should increase to 84 this week, and you can claim his base card on Ultimate Team for 950 coins on PS4 and 1,500 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Dejan Lovren (OVR 81)
Xherdan Shaqiri (OVR 82 – FOF 86)
Xherdan Shaqiri’s 90th minute goal for Switzerland sank Serbian hearts in the 2-1 win, giving the Swiss the advantage going into the final group game. It was a cool finish from a man who has had a difficult season in Stoke, but he clearly still has the class to play for a big club, if he can manage his temperament.
Right midfielder Shaqiri is expected to improve from 82 to 86 on Ultimate Team. You can get his base card for 1,000 coins on PS4 and 1,200 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Juan Cuadrado (OVR 83)
Granit Xhaka (OVR 82 – FOF 85)
Granit Xhaka grabbed Switzerland’s opening goal in that win, with a trademark drive from outside the box. If Switzerland are to go far at the tournament, they will rely on Xhaka to win the ball, distribute and unleash that rocket left foot to make the difference.
Xhaka also has an 82 rating on Ultimate Team, but that should increase to 85 for the defensive midfielder. His base card will set you back 650 coins on PS4 and 700 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: N’Golo Kante (OVR 88)
Toni Kroos (OVR 90 – FOF 93)
Toni Kroos may not be playing at his best, but the German superstar grabbed an unbelievable 95th minute winner to give the defending champions their first victory of the tournament. Down to 10 men, Real Madrid man Kroos whipped in a laid off free kick against Sweden to push Germany towards the knockout stages.
Kroos’ 90 overall rating should increase to 93 on the back of that performance, and you can get his base card for 39,250 coins on PS4 and 35,000 on Xbox One. A 92 in-form card is valued at 111,000 on PS4 and 103,000 on Xbox One, whilst a 96 Team of the Season item will cost 182,000 on PS4 and 195,000 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Jesse Lingard (OVR 80)
James Rodriguez (OVR 86 – FOF 90)
James Rodriguez put in a fantastic performance just when his country needed it with the 3-0 victory over Poland. Had Colombia lost that game, they would have been heading home, but with Rodriguez now back to fitness, many will tip the South Americans to top their group.
Rodriguez’s two assists should take his 86 overall to a 90 rated FOF card, with his position moving from CAM to LM. The Bayern Munich attacking midfielder’s base card costs 11,000 coins on PS4 and 9,700 on Xbox One, with his 88 in-form costing 53,500 on PS4 and 55,000 on Xbox One. Rodriguez’s 88 Ones to Watch item is valued at 45,250 on PS4 and 44,750 on Xbox One, with his 94 Team of the Season card setting you back 170,000 on PS4 and 159,000 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Juan Fernando Quintero (OVR 77)
Luka Modric (OVR 89 – FOF 93)
Luka Modric ran the show for Croatia in their superb 3-0 win over Argentina, with his well-taken goal fitting for his performance. With Modric at the heart of this Croatia side, and being supported by Ivan Rakitic, they could be the dark horses for the competition.
Modric’s 89 overall rating should now improve to 93, and you can claim the Real Madrid star’s base card for 27,750 coins on PS4 and 28,000 on Xbox One. The midfielder’s 96 Team of the Year item is valued at 450,000 on PS4 and 462,000 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Marco Reus (OVR 86)
Eden Hazard (OVR 91 – FOF 96)
Eden Hazard showed his quality in Belgium’s 5-2 win over Tunisia, which is a warning to all the other sides at the World Cup. The Chelsea man, operating as an inside forward, scored twice in the victory, which sends the Red Devils through to the knockout stages and sets up a clash with England to decide top spot in Group G.
Hazard’s 91 rating should now increase to 96 and his position could move from LW to CF. His base card is valued at 68,000 coins on PS4 and 62,500 on Xbox One with a 92 RW FUT Birthday item costing 310,000 on PS4 and 222,000 on Xbox One. A 95 Man of the Match card is priced at 487,000 on PS4 and 400,000 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Ante Rebic (OVR 76)
Ahmed Musa (OVR 76 – FOF 84)
Ahmed Musa was the hero for Nigeria, with his goals against Iceland keeping the Super Eagles firmly in the competition. His immense pace will come in useful against a ropey Argentine defence, with the winner of that contest joining Croatia in the knockout stages.
Musa’s 76 overall rating should rise to 84 for the FOF, and you can claim the striker’s base card for 700 coins on PS4 and 1,300 on Xbox One. His 81 in-form costs 21,750 on PS4 and 21,000 on Xbox One with his 81 Ones to Watch setting you back 31,250 on PS4 and 37,000 on Xbox One.
Under threat from: Radamel Falcao (OVR 84)
RealSport’s FOF Matchday 2 prediction
