The Weekend League is the toughest competition in FIFA 21 Ultimate Team. Here are some tips for starting in FUT Champions.
This is the Weekend League: The Weekend League always takes place on weekends and is the mode that can bring you the best rewards in Ultimate Team. In addition to coins and Packs, it also provides Player Picks, where you can get TOTW players for your team from a certain rank.
However, the Weekend League is also quite tough. You have a weekend to complete 30 matches. It usually starts on Friday at 09:00 and ends on Monday at the same time. The more wins you accumulate, the better your rewards will be at the end.
The first Weekend League in FIFA 21 has been postponed. So there is still some time to prepare. Here are some tips on how to get through the Weekend League well.
1. Always play focused in the Weekend League
You may know this from your own experience: In Career Mode or in Squad Battles, you have already dismantled the AI, lead 3-0, and it’s virtually impossible to lose the match. Even in modes where not every single win counts, one can sometimes let concentration slip when things are looking good. Then you check your phone, listen to a message – however it goes.
In FUT Champions, however, things can go very wrong. The opponents here are strong, and even a 3-0 lead at halftime does not guarantee that you will emerge as a winner. When you lose concentration, the risk of losing increases significantly. And that frustrates you even more for the next game.
In the Weekend League, every single win counts a lot. Accordingly, it is particularly bitter to give away points that you thought were secure.
Some players like to listen to music in the Weekend League to concentrate better. Turning off the commentators also helps some with focusing. However, in the end, it’s a matter of personal preference.
2. Take breaks
The Weekend League is quite packed with its 30 matches, and when you have time, there’s a strong urge to play as many matches as possible. But that can be a wrong approach.
If you are on a positive streak, you can of course try to keep it going for as long as possible. But during a negative streak, you are quickly tempted to “at least end with a win.” This can go very wrong: You keep playing, lose your will to play and concentration – and give away match after match. It’s better to take a break and continue later.
It can even be worthwhile to just start again the next day. Some strong players try to play as many matches from start to finish as possible. If you’re lucky, you can avoid them when you start later on the weekend. Just make sure you have enough time left for the matches.
It is important not to fall too deep into frustration. FIFA is prone to that – recently, a streamer broke his PS4 controller after conceding a goal.
3. Get yourself warmed up
This does not necessarily mean that you should play a bit of Rivals on Saturday morning before the Weekend League – although that can of course also be worthwhile. What is meant is that you should try to find a formation and team that suits you before the Weekend League.
Experimenting during the Weekend League can be more difficult than playing with a team where you know every player well and have memorized some runs. However, if nothing is working – then a small shake-up during the weekend can also be worthwhile.
Here you can find the overview of some strong formations.
4. Learn some skill moves
In the new FIFA, dribbling has great value. On the one hand, you can outplay your opponents with strong dribbling and simultaneously keep the ball until your teammates are in good positions for a pass.
Skill moves can be the surprising element that gives you just the bit of space you need. You do not have to learn super-crazy moves that require button combinations like a special move from Tekken. You can also use small tricks.
- The ball roll is very effective for getting past opponents and goalkeepers just before dueling. For the ball roll, you just need to push the stick sideways to your current running direction.
- The “Bridge” can also help. You just double tap R1/RB to get a small speed boost that can get you past an opponent.
- The new Agile Dribbling is also worth it for keeping the ball close to the player and letting opponents run into thin air. To do this, you simply hold R1 and then move the left stick.
Some more good skill moves can be found here in the video from the Fokus Clan on YouTube:
Keep in mind that especially 5-star skillers can perform tricks particularly well. The better the skill rating of your players, the higher the chance of success.
The Drag Back is not quite as strong in FIFA 21 as usual. Only use it situationally.
5. Pay close attention to your defense
In addition to dribbling, the first days in FIFA 21 have shown that through balls are currently very strong. Defenses can be quickly outplayed when good forward passes are played to speedy attackers. Additionally, crosses are effective again – this should not be forgotten after a year in FIFA 20, where hardly any headed goals were scored.
Therefore: The defense must hold. Both dribblers and sprinting attackers can be intercepted if the defense is well-positioned. Therefore, it is worth trying to intercept balls early, especially with midfielders. Pulling center-backs out of the back four opens up many spaces that the opponent can exploit coldly.
Being aggressive with the center-back against the attacker should only be attempted when you are absolutely sure to win the ball. Because if the forward wins the duel, he is usually through and only has the keeper left to beat.
What tips do you have for the Weekend League? Do you know any tricks that you should have? Tell us in the comments! Are you more into Career Mode? Then you can find the best talents in FIFA 21 here.
