EA Sports has brought in tons of celebrities in the past for Ultimate Team Squad Battle (SBs) but this week’s guest in FIFA 19 is quite literally the hardest hitting yet. IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has stepped out of the boxing ring and onto the virtual pitch.
SBs are a single player mode in FUT which allow you take on a star-studded squad by playing against the AI in order to earn rewards. The higher difficulty you play on, the better the prizes.
Joshua’s fearsome team features immense players including Cristiano Ronaldo’s 94-rated ‘Ones to Watch' card and his Juventus team-mate Paulo Dybala. There’s a space on the bench for AJ’s good friend and Watford talisman Troy Deeney alongside a host of elite talent including Brazil icon Ronaldo, Tottenham's Harry Kane and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
The fact those last three are on the bench should help your chances as, strangely, the SB’s starting striker is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. While undoubtedly one of the greatest strikers to grace the game, the LA Galaxy ace is no longer in his peak and his 59 pace is something you can definitely handle.
What you do have be wary of, though, is Ibra and Ronaldo's proficiency in the air, with both perfect targets for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford on the right wing. The England international's pace is terrifying but he’s much more effective when he’s able to cut in from the left. You can use that to your advantage, force him inside onto his left with Dybala his only option. Zlatan won’t be making runs and Ronaldo will be stuck out on the left.
Rashford will then leave plenty of space behind him and Man Utd team-mate Paul Pogba is less likely to track back, leaving Antonio Valencia isolated at right-back. The Ecuadorian isn’t as strong and fast as he was on FIFA 18 so this is definitely a weaker area to target. Especially considering Real Madrid duo Marcelo and Sergio Ramos are on the other side.
The other obvious weakness is the inform Leicester City defender Harry Maguire. While another player who is strong in the air (you really won’t want to give away any corners), he is also incredibly slow with just 50 pace. Maguire is powerful and a very good tackler so through balls paired with a pacey forward will be your best bet.
Joshua’s squad definitely packs a punch with Ronaldo, Dybala and Pogba providing the firepower but get in a few body shots at the right time and you can take this fight to the last round.