FIFA 18 World Cup Mode: Predicting the ratings for Portugal national team

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FIFA 18 World Cup Mode (Credits: EA Sports)

FIFA 18 is still going strong, as the footballing season around us comes to a close. Usually, at this point football fans are preparing for their two-month hibernation, only to emerge mid-august, when the beloved sport returns.

However, there is much to look forward to this time around. The FIFA World Cup is back after a four-year snooze and will once again look to sweep fans around the world off their feet. The World Cup is quite simply the biggest sporting event in the world and those associated with the game will no doubt look to take advantage of all the surrounding hype.

It's fair to say that EA Sports has done its part in taking advantage of the World Cup hype and in return fuelling it even further. The sports gaming company recently announced a 'World Cup' patch to add to their beloved game FIFA 18.

The new World Cup mode will add the 32 participating nations, kitted in their newly released World Cup jerseys. All the new arenas will be included in this game mode as well.

It's fair to say that fans were excited hearing about this addition and we will try our best to fuel the excitement even further by indulging ourselves in one of the most debated aspects of the game -- Player Ratings.

Coming up, Euro 2016 winners Portugal.

#1 Goalkeepers

Poland v Portugal - Quarter Final: UEFA Euro 2016
Poland v Portugal - Quarter Final: UEFA Euro 2016

For years now, Portugal's goal has been in safe hands. Taking over from Eduardo, Rui Patricio has been a constant between the posts for the national team for six years. He has taken part in three major international tournaments during that time, Euro 2012, FIFA World Cup 2014, and Euro 2016.

Domestically, Patricio had an inconsistent season for Sporting Lisbon, filled with highs and lows. Lisbon currently sits in the third position, which they will occupy till the end of the season due to Benfica's superior goal difference. Although Patricio kept 16 clean sheets in 23 starts in the Liga he was not able to help Lisbon qualify for the Champions League.

Patricio's Lisbon faired a little better in domestic cup competitions, winning one and progressing to the final of the other. The veteran goalkeeper kept 23 clean sheets across all competitions. However, EA is bound to reduce the overall for Patricio. Fans can expect him to drop from his overall of 83 to 82.

Two other goalkeepers join Patricio in the final squad for Portugal, Anthony Lopes and Beto. Lopes is currently the highest rated out of the three, in game. However, his overall of 84 is bound to fall. An overall of 83 is looking likely.

Beto will be on the plan to Russia, although he is unlikely to play in any games unless injury rules out the other options. The experienced goalkeeper is expected to carry over his rating of 76 from FIFA 18 to the World Cup mode.

#2 Defenders

Portugal v Mexico: Play-Off for Third Place - FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017
Portugal v Mexico: Play-Off for Third Place - FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017

Coach Fernando Santos has gone for experience in the defence, opting for veterans such as Bruno Alves and Jose Fonte. Joining them in the centre back position is Pepe.

Pepe was transferred to Besiktas at the beginning of the season when he completed a switch from Real Madrid. At Besiktas, Pepe has formed a solid partnership with Dusko Tosic and helped the team concede the least number of goals.

Pepe is currently one of the highest rated defenders in FIFA 18. However, we predict that his overall rating of 85 will take a hit. Fans can expect him to be rated 84 in the World Cup mode.

Alves and Fonte are currently playing at Rangers and Dalian Yifang. We predict that both these defenders will be rated below 80 in the new game mode. An overall of 75 for Alves and 78 for Fonte is likely.

Also, joining the trio is Benfica's young centre-back Ruben Dias. He had a good season for Benfica and was rewarded with a call-up to the national team. Dias will most likely carry over his rating of 76 over to the new game mode.

Fernando Santos is not short of options for his full-back positions. Napoli's Mario Rui joins Cedric, Ricardo Pereira, and Raphael Guerreiro.

Guerreiro is expected to start at the left back position for Santos' team while Cedric is the most likely option for right back. Both the fullbacks endured tough seasons and are likely to receive downgrades. A 77 overall for Cedric and a 78 overall for Guerreiro is likely.

On the other hand, Rui and Pereira enjoyed brilliant campaigns. Rui came into a Napoli side, replacing injured Ghoulam and instantly became one of the best players for his side. Fans can expect him to be rated 80 in the new edition of the game while Ricardo Pereira will most likely be rated 80.

#3 Midfielders

Portugal  v Holland  -International Friendly
Portugal v Holland -International Friendly

Fernando Santos likes to line up in a 4-4-2 formation, in which midfield plays an important role. Usually, Santos sets up his midfield with a deep-lying centre defensive midfielder and a creative attacking midfielder. Two wingers take up the position on either wing to complete a compact midfield.

William Carvalho is the only defensive midfielder Santos is taking to the World Cup. It is increasingly likely, therefore, that he will be starting all of their matches.

Carvalho was linked with a move to West Ham earlier this season. However, the move failed to materialize and he stayed with Sporting Lisbon. The defensive midfielder is one of the most sought-after Portuguese players in World football and will surely be a part of a transfer saga during the next two months.

The midfield enforcer was rated 83 in FIFA 18. However, end-of-season performances might drop his overall to 82. Portugal is carrying a lot of playmakers with them for the World Cup. Adrien Silva, Joao Moutinho, Joao Mario, Bruno Fernandes, and Manuel Fernandes all make the cut.

Leicester's Adrien Silva had to wait for five months to make his official Premier League debut, due to the fact that his transfer was registered fourteen seconds after the deadline had passed. However, once he did, he impressed. Silva was also one of Portugal's best performing players at Euro 2016. Nevertheless, Leicester's slump during the latter half of the campaign will surely affect Silva's ratings. An overall of 81 is likely.

Bruno Fernandes had a ground-breaking debut campaign with Sporting Lisbon. His consistent performances throughout the season helped Lisbon across all competitions. Fernandes' breakthrough season sees him linked with heavyweights such as Chelsea and Liverpool. Fernandes is rated 82 in FIFA 18, an overall which we expect him to carry over to the World Cup mode.

The Euro 2016 winners are also taking with them the trio of Joao Moutinho, Joao Mario and Manuel Fernandes. Mario and Fernandes are great assets to the team due to their versatility. Both can play in on either wing, as well as in a central role. Fans can expect the duo to be rated 80 in the new game mode. We also expect Joao Moutinho to be rated the same.

#4 Forwards

Portugal v Estonia - International Friendly
Portugal v Estonia - International Friendly

Headlining the Portuguese frontline, and furthermore the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to lead Portugal to successive international titles. At 33, Ronaldo is still going strong.

Fans and pundits alike had written off the forward during the first half of the 2017-18 season. However, the Real Madrid star proved them wrong with his performances later on in the season, proving without a doubt that he still is one of the best players to ever play the game.

Ronaldo's brilliant run at the end of the campaign, along with his importance to the national team and the fact that he is the cover star for the new game mode will save his overall from taking a tumble.

Currently, he is the highest rated player in the game, alongside Leo Messi at 94. Fans can expect the rating to go further up by one point. He will likely be rated 95 for the World Cup mode.

Joining Ronaldo is another veteran winger, Ricardo Quaresma. Quaresma was a late bloomer, shining during his recent spells at Porto and Besiktas. He also seems to be a favourite of Fernando Santos and will likely be picked in the starting line up.

Quaresma is rated 83 in the game currently. It is a rating we expect to go down with an overall of 81 looking more likely.

Rounding up the team, are four immensely talented forwards. Striker Andre Silva and wingers Goncalo Guedes, Gelson Martins, and Bernardo Silva will be looking to make a statement at the highest level.

Bernardo Silva enjoyed his second successive title-winning campaign. He was an important part of a Manchester City side that tore apart the Premier League. Currently, he stands at an overall of 84 which will likely be reduced by one when the new game mode comes out.

Both Goncalo Guedes and Gelson Martins are some of the hottest properties in the world of football currently. The wingers enjoyed successful campaigns at their respective clubs this season. As the new game mode comes out, fans can expect some improvement in their respective ratings. We expect Gelson Martins to carry over his rating of 82 while Guedes will also likely receive an upgrade of one point, bringing his total to 81.