Another season and a new FIFA makes its trickier to predict how the league will pan out. Some people are still getting used to the game, some it doesn't suit, and some will get off to a flyer. After playing quite a few Head2Head games and seeing how the opening BFA's and transfers went, I thought I'd have a go at predicting the final positions in Division 2 with my preview. Do you think I've more or less got it right, or am I way off the mark?
1. Joe – Liverpool
S37 – 8th
After a year off from being a decent FIFA player, the new game seems to be much more up Joe’s street. With the upgraded Darwin Nunes scoring for fun, I think Liverpool will be winning the division and taking Joe back to join the Try-hards and the dribbly wankers. He may have a tendency to overplay the ball in attacking areas, but it doesn’t really matter when you create as many chances as he does. The one goal advantage in the Eliminator against the top teams might see him do very well in that competition.
2. Sofarukus – Fulham
S37 – 5th
Sofa is another one that seemed to have a bit of a dip in form on the last FIFA, but reports say he’s back to his best on the current game, and a lot of people are tipping him to top the table. I’m not going that far as I think Joe will just edge him out for the title, but I still think with his quality starting XI, he’ll easily achieve promotion.
3. paullowes80 – Aston Villa
S37 – 4th
Paul finished last season strongly and it wouldn’t surprise me if he carries on that form into this season. I expect him to easily make the play-offs, maybe even winning them to make it up to Division 1. He's strengthened the squad a bit ready to start the season, and the starting line up looks strong in all areas.
4. x Plunkett – Manchester City
S37 – 3rd
Plunkett finished 3rd last season but might find it a bit tougher this time. With a lack of Head2Head action and with other players hitting some good form already in this new FIFA, his wouldn't surprise me if his Man City side get off to a slow start. He'll still be good enough to make the play-offs however, and with his big BFA signings of Kalajdžić and Pereira he'll be too strong in attack for a lot of opponents to handle.
5. Riverman – Southampton
S37 – 14th in Div 1, relegated
Riverman crashed out of the top division last season, sold a few of his best players, then lost most of his vast fortune in the cut, but still has enough about him to do well, possibly reaching the play-offs. Having honed a kick and chase game with the likes of Adama Traore, his play is a bit more sophisticated these days, but I’m sure he still loves a good through ball for his pacy front men to take advantage of. I’d love him to crash and burn because of the franchise he picked, I just cant see it happening.
6. ItsOnlyJEFF9108 – Nottingham Forest
S37 – 6th
Jeff just missed out on the play-offs on goal difference last season, and although will be in the mix, may miss out again this season. I’ve always found him a very tricky opponent, as he like to dribble the ball a lot and retains possession very well. You cant beat him if you cant get the ball off him! His games are often tight and low scoring and he’s beefed up his team a bit in pre-season, most notably the bargain signing of the keeper Rochet for just 12m in a BFA.
7. MarcTheSharc – Manchester United
S37 – 13th in Div 1, relegated
Marc is a very good and consistent player, and has the odd season in the top division, but doesn’t usually stay there long. I think he’ll be around the play-off mix again this season and I’d expect most of the goals to come from Tello and Martinelli. With the low wage bill he has, theres plenty of scope for improvement, so don’t be surprised if he adds a striker or two to the squad.
8. geordiecrawf – Newcastle United
Very much an unknown quantity as he’s not been in the Fantasy League for a long time but when Geordie was last here, he was one of the better players in the second tier. His Newcastle team is a brand-new squad, so more unknowns, with the big name being Balotelli as striker. Geordie hasn’t been able to play pre-season games because he’s been on holiday so he’ll have to get his team to gel pretty quickly. That might hamper his promotion chances this season I'll place him around mid-table.
9. Hilly89 – Tottenham Hotspur
S37 – 9th
Hilly finished mid table last season, and I’m expecting more of the same this season. His high rated players are all in the forward positions, and theres been no transfer activity since last season so it'll probably be more of the same. He should be safe at the end of the season but in what is likely to be a very tight division its hard to say whether his points tally will be closer to the promotion or relegation play-offs.
10. deareststorm – Brighton & Hove Albion
S37 – 2nd in Div 3, promoted
It’s a new FIFA, so it’ll probably take him a few weeks to work out what the buttons are for this game, but once it clicks for him he usually starts picking up the points. I expect him to be clear of the relegation zone by the end of the season. With a trio of decent strikers he should score more than he concedes. Hates anyone who parks the bus Mourinho style, but will happily park the bus Conte style. It’s the subtle differences that count.
11. S8TY – Brentford
S37 – 1st in Div 3, promoted
S8TY deservedly won Division 3 last season and is good enough to stay in this division if he doesn’t play it too cautiously. Berty may have left the league, but this Brentford team can also pass the ball to death, waiting to exploit the gap in the defence that will eventually appear. Still prone to the odd defensive howler that could prove costly.
12. Big B 1970 – Leeds United
S37 – 7th
It’s been said I can beat anyone on my day, the trouble is those days don’t come around often enough. I may have hindered myself thanks to my transfer policy, but I’ve still managed to build a decent squad in an attacking sense, with David Neres and Romarinho being the stand-outs. I was tipping myself to go down, but having heard a lot of other people saying theyre also struggling with this FIFA, I think I can hopefully avoid the drop, just.
13. Diode X – Bournemouth
S37 – 11th (won play-off)
A lot of people were expecting him to go straight back down to Division 3 last season but he got enough points to prove the doubters wrong, avoiding automatic relegation and then winning the play-offs to keep his place. I’m expecting his Bournemouth team to be fighting the relegation battle again this season, but I don’t think he’ll avoid the drop this time. Some of that may be wishful thinking as it may be a case of him or me to go down.
14. Jobi Juan – Chelsea
Used to be a bit of a baller on FIFA, but a year out seems to be taking its toll and judging by Head 2 Head games, Jobi hasn’t got to grips with the defending at all. With his inherited squad he starts the season with one of the best keepers in the league and a decent defence on paper, but I don’t think that’ll be enough to stop the ball ending up in his net every game. Once he’s done a few transfers to get the players he wants, his form might pick up a little, but will it be too late by then?