Team of the Week 45 (TOTW) predictions

The new season is gathering pace, and in a few of Europe’s top divisions, the league tables are taking shape. In the Premier League, Liverpool, Chelsea and surprise package Watford kept up their 100% records with their fourth victories of the season, with PSG the only side in France with four wins from four.

In La Liga, it’s no surprise Barcelona and Real Madrid are the only sides with three wins from three, with Juventus doing the same over in the Italian Serie A. The Bundesliga have only had two rounds of fixtures so far, with Bayern Munich joined by Wolfsburg and Hertha Berlin on six points.

Over the weekend’s action there were some remarkable individual performances which could be worthy of a spot in the FIFA 18 Team of the Week (TOTW). 23 players will be selected on Wednesday, September 5 and receive a special in-form boost on FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) for the next seven days. You can challenge the squad on Ultimate Team for a coin bonus, find the in-form players in packs from the FUT store or buy-and-sell them on the transfer market. 

RealSport looks at which players are in the running this week. 

Ludovic Butelle (OVR 74 – IF 81)

We start in France, and Angers fans have goalkeeper Ludovic Butelle to thank for holding on to victory against Lille. Butelle saved a penalty from Loic Remy to hold on to three points, meaning Les Scoistes move out of the relegation zone to 18th in Ligue 1.

Butelle’s 74 overall should improve to 81 this week, and you can purchase his card for 750 coins on PS4 and 1,000 on Xbox One in Ultimate Team. 

Kyle Walker (OVR 84 – OTW 88)

Kyle Walker notched his first goal for Manchester City in their 2-1 victory over Newcastle, further enhancing the defender’s reputation. The England international has eyes on becoming the best right back in the world, and if he continues with the development he's shown since joining City, he may just achieve it.

Walker’s goal could not only get him a TOTW card, but it will also improve his Ones to Watch item. We expect him to rise from 84 to 88, with his base card priced at 9,800 coins on PS4 and 13,750 on Xbox One. His 86 centre back in-form card will set you back 193,600 coins on PS4 and 142,000 on Xbox One. His Ones to Watch live item costs 85,000 coins on PS4 and 78,000 on Xbox One, with a 92 Team of the Season rating worth 274,000 on PS4 and 251,000 on Xbox One. 

Ismael Traore (OVR 76 – SIF 84)

We return to Angers’ 1-0 victory over Lille, and it was centre back Ismael Traore who grabbed the goal. Not only did he score, but Traore was a rock at the back for his side with Angers reduced to ten men for the final 25 minutes.

Traore’s performance should take his 76 overall up to an 84 second in-form rating. The defender’s base card will set you back 850 coins on PS4 and 450 on Xbox One, with an 81 in-form worth 22,000 on PS4 and 38,000 on Xbox One. 

Jose Holebas (OVR 78 – IF 82)

Jose Holebas was the main man for Watford in their superb 2-1 victory over Tottenham, maintaining the Hornets’ perfect start to the season. Holebas assisted both Watford goals from set plays and helped nullify the dangerous Spurs front line in defence.

Greek international Holebas should improve from 78 to an in-form 82 this week. His base card costs 700 coins on PS4 and 1,600 on Xbox One. 

Carlos Vela (OVR 82 – SIF 85)

Across the pond to the MLS, and Carlos Vela showed his class in LAFC’s 4-2 victory over Toronto FC. The right winger scored twice and assisted another to lift the Black and Gold to second in the Western Conference, just three points behind FC Dallas at the top of the table. 

The Mexican international should improve from 82 to 85 on Ultimate Team, with Vela’s base card priced at 750 coins on PS4 and 900 on Xbox One. His 84 CAM in-form item will cost 32,000 coins on PS4 and 42,000 on Xbox One. 

Leon Goretzka (OVR 83 – SIF 86)

Leon Goretzka made his first start for new club Bayern Munich against Stuttgart at the weekend, with the summer signing showcasing his quality in the 3-0 victory. The central midfielder scored and then assisted Robert Lewandowski as Bayern lay down an early marker in their intentions to keep hold of their Bundesliga title.

Goretzka’s 83 overall should rise to a second in-form card of 86 this week. The German international’s normal card costs 4,800 coins on PS4 and 6,900 on Xbox One. His 85 in-form card at previous club Schalke is worth 39,750 on PS4 and 51,000 on Xbox One.

Ondrej Duda (OVR 73 – IF 79)

Staying in Germany, Hertha Berlin’s Ondrej Duda scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over Schalke. The victory takes Die Alte Dame to third in the Bundesliga table, one of just three clubs to have won both of their games so far this season.

Attacking midfielder Duda should move to central midfield this week, with his rating moving from 73 to 79. The Slovakian’s base card costs 1,400 coins on PS4 and 2,900 on Xbox One. 

Damir Kreilach (OVR 74 – SIF 84)

Damir Kreilach is this week’s hat trick hero with the Real Salt Lake man bagging three in a ridiculous 6-2 victory over LA Galaxy. That takes the midfielder’s tally for the season to 10 goals, helping Salt Lake to fourth in the MLS Western Conference, five points off the top of the table. 

Kreilach should move from central to left midfield this week, with his rating increasing from 74 to 84. His base card is valued at 3,000 coins on PS4 and 10,000 on Xbox One with the Croatian’s 80 CDM in-form worth 18,500 on both consoles. 

Gregoire Defrel (OVR 77 – IF 82)

Onto the attack, and Gregoire Defrel notched a brace for Sampdoria in a surprise 3-0 victory over heavyweights Napoli. The striker looks to be a useful loan signing from Roma for the season, with his goals at the weekend taking the club to 13th in Serie A.

Defrel’s 77 rating should improve to 82 on Ultimate Team this week, with his base card costing just 700 coins on PS4 and 1,100 on Xbox One. 

Romelu Lukaku (OVR 86 – OTW 90)

Romelu Lukaku is hot-and-cold, but the Belgian showed his true class against Burnley with the Manchester United striker netting both goals in the 2-0 victory. With the Reds taking a lot of flak already this season, whether it be players, the manager or boardroom staff, they will need Lukaku’s firepower to get them out of trouble. 

Lukaku’s 86 rating could improve to 90 this week, which will also affect his Ones to Watch item. The forward’s base card costs 23,000 coins on both consoles, with an 88 in-form worth 170,000 on PS4 and 150,000 on Xbox One. His Ones to Watch, which will improve if he makes the TOTW, will cost 125,000 on PS4 and 110,000 on Xbox One, and Lukaku’s 94 Team of the Season will set you back 370,000 on PS4 and 374,000 on Xbox One. Lastly, a 96 Festival of Futball item is priced at 550,000 on PS4 and 848,000 on Xbox One. 

Valeri Qazaishvili (OVR 75 – TIF 85)

We finish with San Jose Earthquakes man Valeri Qazaishvili. The Georgian scored three goals and picked up an assist over two games this week, first defeating FC Dallas 4-3 before falling to Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1.

As a result, Qazaishvili should improve from 75 to an incredible 85 third in-form card this week, with his position moving from CAM to ST. His base card costs just 350 coins on PS4 and 400 on Xbox One, with an 84 in-form worth 19,250 coins on PS4 and 70,000 on Xbox One. 

RealSport’s TOTW 45 prediction