FC 26 UWCL Primetime Upgrade Potential

The UEFA Women’s Champions League is back this week which means the Primetime cards are even closer to an upgrade. I should’ve written this preview before the first Primetime matchday but we’re here now and it’s better late than never. I’ll be giving you a run down of how likely each card is to get upgraded and who they have to play against to achieve the upgrades.

Reminder that these cards have already played game 1 of 4, so have 3 remaining.

Caroline Graham Hansen - FC Barcelona

Upgrade Prediction: 5 out of 5

Primetime Fixtures: Chelsea (A), Benfica (H), Paris FC (A)

It goes without saying that Barcelona are the best team in the competition and I’d be extremely shocked if Hansen doesn’t achieve all 5 of her upgrades. The only slip up here could be against Chelsea, and to impact the upgrades they’d need to be stopped from scoring. Realistically I’d expect Barca to win all 3, Hansen to pick up at least 1 G/A and for them to finish in the Top 4.

Simone Laudehr - Bayern

Upgrade Prediction: 2 out of 2

Primetime Fixtures: PSG (A), Atletico (A), Valerenga (H)

Laudehr could be one of the first Primetime cards to receive an overall upgrade if they can beat PSG tomorrow night. In fact after scoring 3 against Arsenal, a win tomorrow will unlock her full upgrades!

Laura Georges - OL Lyoness

Upgrade Prediction: 2 out of 2

Primetime Fixtures: Juventus (A), Man United (A), Atletico (H)

Just like Laudehr, OL won their game last week and scored 3 goals meaning a win this week secures both upgrades. OL are one of the best teams in the competition and I fully expect them to get the job done tonight, as much as a do have a soft spot for Juve.

Maya Le Tissier - Man United

Upgrade Prediction: 3 out of 5

Primetime Fixtures: Wolfsburg (A), OL Lyonnes (H), Juventus (A)

Before the UWCL campaign started I thought United would’ve been lucky to finish on more than 6 points, but impressive performances in their first 3 matches see them with a perfect record in 3rd place. Unfortunately for them I don’t see them keeping this up. I do think they’ll pick up the 4 more points required for an upgrade and maybe a clean sheet but I can’t imagine they’ll score against OL and will drop out of the Top 4 by MD6.

Maika Hamano - Chelsea

Upgrade Prediction: 3 out of 5

Primetime Fixtures: Barcelona (H), Roma (H), Wolfsburg (A)

Despite dominating in England, Chelsea just can’t seem to do it in Europe, or at least the latter stages of European competition. They have a tough set of fixtures, kicking off with Barca this week. This is the game which kills upgrade hopes I think, needing to score in all 4 games for a +1 ends here. They’ll get the points required and finish in the Top 4, but I won’t be holding out much hope for a Hamano G/A. She’ll come off the bench in one of their wins, but I can’t see her getting an attacking return.

Tara Elimbi Gilbert - PSG

Upgrade Prediction: 2 out of 5

Primetime Fixtures: Bayern (H), Leuven (H), Benfica (A)

PSG currently sit on 0 points and the only reason they’re not rock bottom is because of St Polten’s horrific goal difference. I won’t lie, it’s not looking good for upgrades here. After a loss to United last week it leaves PSG needing 2 wins and a draw from their final three games. I don’t think they beat Bayern and that just kills any hope. Luckily for them, Roma look equally as hopeless in the competition so a win with a clean sheet against them will at least unlock some new Roles and PlayStyles for this card.

Alba Redondo - Real Madrid

Upgrade Prediction: 2 out of 5

Primetime Fixtures: Arsenal (H), Wolfsburg (H), Twente (A)

I really do think this SBC was priced thinking this Real Madrid team perform like the men's team in Europe. 100k for a card that would get all 5 upgrades seems fair, but they won’t. Alba will be lucky to get more than 2 of the 5 upgrades, especially after just about holding on for a result against Paris FC last week. They need to win 2 of their remaining 3 for a +1 and I just don’t think they manage that. They’ll beat Twente, an appearance and goal in that game secures 2 upgrades but I think that’s it for Alba.