Team of the Week 36 (TOTW) predictions

And that’s that. Domestic campaigns around Europe have drawn to a close. Champions have been crowned, European football secured, and relegation fates sealed.

The Premier League and Bundesliga campaigns had already finished, with this weekend hosting the final round of fixtures in La Liga, Serie and Ligue 1. All was pretty much settled but Inter Milan’s dramatic comeback against Lazio saw them steal the final Champions League spot in Italy, whilst an exciting 3-2 win from Lyon against Nice also guaranteed their place amongst Europe’s elite.

With just those three top European leagues playing this week, we have also included the action from the Football League playoffs and the MLS when assessing our FIFA 18 Team of the Week predictions.

23 players will be released at 6pm on Wednesday, 23 May on FIFA Ultimate Team, receiving an in-form boost to their overall ratings. The side can be challenged for a coin boost in FUT, and you can find these in-form cards in the store or trade them on the transfer market. 

Alphonse Areola (OVR 79 – SIF 84)

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain would have been the hot favourites against relegation battlers Caen, but PSG had to call on their goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to take a point from the tie. Caen let fly six shots on the Frenchman’s goal, but he was equal to the task.

Areola’s performance could earn him a second in-form card of the season, which would take his 79 overall rating to 84. You can pick up the goalie’s base card for 550 coins on PS4 and 950 on Xbox One, with his 82 in-form priced at 11,500 on PS4 and 11,750 on Xbox One in Ultimate Team. 

Pierce Sweeney (OVR 58 – IF 72)

It’s playoff season in the English Football League, and Exeter City have a 3-1 advantage after their home leg against Lincoln in League Two. Grecians’ manager Paul Tisdale has right back Pierce Sweeney to thank for the win, with the defender picking up two assists at St James Park. 

Sweeney’s superb work down the right flank should take his timid 58 overall to a much more respectable 72 this week. You can claim the Irishman’s base card for just 200 coins on both consoles. 

Lalas Abubakar (OVR 66 – IF 77)

Whereas the European leagues have come to a close, the MLS is in full swing. Columbus Crew claimed a 1-0 victory over New England Revolution, with centre half Lalas Abubakar notching the goal to keep them in third place in the Eastern Conference.

Abubakar’s winning goal and clean sheet could boost his 66 overall rating to 77 this week. You can claim the Ghanaian for 700 coins on PS4 and as much as 2,1000 on Xbox One in Ultimate Team. 

Luca Ceppitelli (OVR 72 – IF 79)

Cagliari were flirting dangerously close to relegation, but a last day of the season win over European chasing Atalanta ensured they finished four points above the drop zone. Centre back Luca Ceppitelli was on hand to score in the 1-0 win, and the Sicilians can now look to build for next season.

Ceppitelli’s 72 overall rating should improve dramatically to 79 after the result, with his base card priced at 1,100 coins on PS4 and 1,400 on Xbox One. 

Rony Lopes (OVR 77 – SIF 84)

Rony Lopes has had a superb season with Monaco, and the right midfielder scored his 14th and 15th goals of the campaign in the 3-0 victory over Troyes. With 12 assists as well this season, and he can feel slightly aggrieved to not have made Portugal’s World Cup squad.

Lopes has received an in-form card already on FIFA 18, so his 77 overall rating could improve as high as 84. You can claim his base card for just 500 coins on PS4 and 950 on Xbox One, and his 81 in-form left midfield item for 22,500 on PS4 and 15,000 on Xbox One. 

Romain Hamouma (OVR 78 – IF 83)

Despite smashing Lille 5-0, Saint-Etienne missed out on Europa League football on goal difference. Attacking midfielder Romain Hamouma netted a hat-trick in the victory, as they look to finish inside the top six for next season.

Usual right winger Hamouma has a 78 overall rating on Ultimate Team, which we expect to improve to 83. His base card will set you back 600 coins on PS4 and 1,000 on Xbox One. 

Will Vaulks (OVR 64 – IF 76)

Back to the playoffs, with Rotherham United defeating Scunthorpe United in League One 2-0 to take them to Wembley 4-2 on aggregate. Defensive midfielder Will Vaulks was the hero scoring one and assisting the other with a long throw into the box. Scunthorpe will now meet Shrewsbury in the final. 

Vaulks’ performance could take his bronze 64 rating all the way to a gold 76. You can pick him up on Ultimate Team for 700 coins on PS4 and 1,100 on Xbox One. 

Hakan Calhanoglu (OVR 79 – IF 84)

It’s been a difficult season for AC Milan, but the Rossoneri finished strong to ensure Europa League football for next season. In their final game of the campaign they faced Fiorentina, with Hakan Calhanoglu stealing the show with a goal and three assists.

The Turkish Calhanoglu is perhaps harshly rated at 79 on Ultimate Team, but this should rise to 84 for the Team of the Week. His base card is available for 900 coins on PS4 and 1,400 on Xbox One. 

Fernando Torres (OVR 81 – IF 84)

Fernando Torres waved goodbye to Atletico Madrid at the weekend, but with a bang. The Spaniard scored a brace in his final game for the club, drawing 2-2 Eibar. That performance should give potential suitors this summer enough incentive to make a move for the forward.

Torres’ goals should take his 81 overall rating to 84 to finish the season. El Nino is priced at 1,400 coins on PS4 and 1,700 on Xbox One. 

Maximiliano Gomez (OVR 77 – IF 81)

Celta Vigo have had a disappointing campaign, but not due to their strike force. Maxi Gomez and Iago Aspas scored two goals each in the 4-2 win over Levante, but Gomez gets the nod in our team due to his extra assist in the victory.

Gomez’s 77 overall should improve to 81 on the back of his performance, and the Uruguayan’s base card costs 450 coins on PS4 and 550 on Xbox One. 

Memphis Depay (OVR 80 – TIF 88)

Closing the team out is Memphis Depay. The Dutchman has flourished playing as a striker for Lyon this season, and his hat trick in the 3-2 win against Nice secured Champions League football for the club.

Expect Depay’s 80 overall rating to improve to 88 on Ultimate Team due to his various rare cards this season. The usual left winger’s base card costs 1,300 coins on PS4 and 1,700 on Xbox One, and his 81 Ultimate Scream which can be boosted to 87 costs around 19,000 on both consoles. His 85 second in-form card is valued at 60,000 on both consoles. 

RealSport’s Team of the Week prediction