FIFA 13 introduced the popular Seasons mode to Ultimate Team (FUT) this year, but it’s far from easy to get to division 1, let alone win it.
We show you how to become champions of FUT online in 12 simple steps.
The challenge
To win division 1 online, which rewards you with around 9,000 coins and a premium gold pack. There are four leagues to climb before you reach the top division, and each consists of 10 games. Like real football, you get three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss. Win enough games and you’ll get promoted early or even win the league, which will give you an additional coin boost.
It becomes increasingly harder to get promoted as you climb the leagues. For example, you’ll need more points to go from division 2 to division 1, than you will from division 5 to division 4. Obviously, the standard of teams you’ll play against will rise, too.
To win division 1, you’ll need 21 points from 10 games, which means at least six wins and three draws, or seven wins. Like we said – far from easy. Follow these tips to find success:
1. Build a killer team
Have a game plan from the start. Pick a formation you not only are comfortable with, but one you excel with. Choose players from a certain league/nationality to boost chemistry, and make sure you buy players with the correct formations and positions.
You don’t need an extortionate amount of coins to win division 1. Here’s our 4-3-3 French squad that won us the division 1 title and the prices we paid for each player:
Manager: Wenger, Arsenal (2,000 coins)
GK: Mandanda, Marseille 6,900 coins)
CB: Kaboul, Spurs (around 9,200 coins)
CB: In-Form Koscielny, Arsenal (45,000 coins, is now worth 60,000+, but you can get a standard version for around 10,000 coins)
LB: Clichy, Manchester City (22,000 coins)
RB: Sagna, Arsenal (15,250 coins)
CM: Diaby, Arsenal (2,000 coins)
CM: Nasri, Manchester City (47,000 coins)
CM: Cabaye, Newcastle (5,000 coins)
RW: Menez, PSG (1,900 coins)
ST: Remy, Marseille (7,900 coins)
LW: Lavezzi, PSG (23,250 coins)
Total: 187,400 coins
OK so it’s not the cheapest team in the world, but it was a gradual purchase. Start out with one or two cheaper players (like Diaby and Menez above), then slowly build your squad as you climb the tables. Get to know your players well, what their strengths are and who should take free kicks etc.
2. Pace makers
When you’re playing at the top level on FIFA Ultimate Team, you can’t really afford to have players with less than 70 pace, unless the player has other exceptional stats, like Pirlo and his 90+ passing. You will get beaten to the ball a hell of a lot, and that means losing ball possession often and eventually letting in more goals.
We can guarantee you most of the teams you’ll be up against will have strikers with at least 85 pace, so if you can’t beat them, join them. Our striker, Remy, offers incredible value for money. He cost 7,900 coins, and has 92 pace and 76 shooting (not bad) – more than enough to go on the break and punish teams. Our wingers also have 93 pace and 85 pace respectively, making it incredibly difficult for our opponent’s full-backs to catch us.
Make sure your wing backs have decent pace, too, to catch up with your opponent’s wingers. For example our left-back Clichy has 89 pace and Sagna our right-back has 79 pace. We also recommend having centre-backs with at least 70 to 75 pace as well.
3. Heads up
Scoring a headed goal from a corner is probably the least exciting and skill-less way to score a goal in FIFA 13 Ultimate Team, but they all count. Remy our striker has 84 heading, and you’ll want your centre-backs to have decent heading too, as they will push up for corners and will bag you one or two every now and then. And when defending a corner, they’ll be able to push your opponent’s strikers off the ball in mid-air.
4. Have a game plan
Whether you like the counter attack game, wing play, the passing game, lofted through balls or whatever, learn it and master it. If a tactic is not working for you, drop it and try something else.
And of course, adapt your style to the team you’re playing against. If you’re getting caught out at the back often, try switching to a defensive style (press left or right on the d-pad depending on which goal you’re facing, to move the slider in between the far left and middle points). If the team you’re playing against is poor at attacking, but you can’t find a goal, switch to an attacking style (use the d-pad to move between the middle and far right indicators).
We don’t advise using ultra defensive or ultra attacking options, unless it’s the dying minutes of a game and you want to take a risk to hold onto that point against a better team than you (ultra defensive), or go for broke and hope to get a winning goal (ultra attacking).
Video: Our title-deciding division 1 match
This will give you an idea of the kind of game you might be playing in division 1:
5. Learn to play
This one goes without saying. Check out our other guides if you haven’t done already. You’ll need to be on your game if you want to come close to getting to division 1. Bear in mind a lot of the FIFA 12 guides still apply to FIFA 13, as not much has changed in terms of gameplay and controls. You’ll want to tap LT/L2 to control a difficult ball the moment your player receives it, if you want to play it safe and keep it under control.
- FIFA 13: How to perform every skill move
- FIFA 13: Everything you need to know
- FIFA free kick tutorials
- FIFA Ultimate Team: Complete guide
- FIFA: How to score like a pro
- FIFA: Tackling guide
6. Keep fit
Save money on fitness cards AND get more coins quickly by alternating your squad. Play one Seasons game online, then play one Seasons game offline with your B-team. You can pick average players for this squad if you’re good enough – it’s easier against the computer than it is real players.
7. Frustrate your opponent
Don’t let them near the ball. Make simple passes – go back to your defenders if you have to – and play it safe. Keep the ball for a few minutes and weaker opponents will go in hard, become reckless and push their men forward, leaving gaps at the back for you to exploit.
This is a particularly handy tactic to use if you are drawing and want that winning goal (as will your opponent), or if you’re winning by one goal. If you’re two or more goals up, we suggest going forward in search of more goals – you have less to lose when pushing forwards and you could get more coins at the end of the match.
8. Take calculated risks
Drawing matches regularly won’t cut it in division 1. If you’re level and there’s five in-game minutes left, push to attacking or ultra attacking and go for that late winning goal. There’s not much difference between a loss and a draw, but a win is obviously worth so much more at the top.
9. Don’t make silly mistakes
This is of course easier said than done, but can make all the difference between a loss and a win. If you’re passing it back to your keeper, it’s always safer to kick it out high and far rather than passing it to a nearby defender. A good team will intercept, pick the ball out, take advantage of your mistakes and punish you.
10. Skills to pay the bills
Unless you’re playing to frustrate your opponent, avoid show-boating; needless skills won’t get you anywhere. If you can beat a player with a simple one-two, or a dummy shot, rather than a complicated five-star skill move that’s a lot tougher to pull off, do it. The best FIFA Ultimate Team players don’t learn all the five-star skills and hammer them out sporadically, they learn the most effective skills and the best time to use them.
11. Pick a beast central midfielder
Go for someone who is strong with impressive defense and heading stats, like Everton’s Felliani. After a goal kick, most of the time the two central defenders or central striker/defender will go up to challenge for the ball. If you have someone with decent stats, you’ll win the ball most of the time.
It’s also a great tactic to have a player who is better than he actually appears at first glance. For example, when an opponent sees our team at the start of the match, they probably notice Diaby’s 76 rating and think he’s the worst player on our team. They couldn’t be more wrong. He’s a rock, a ball-winner, and will win most 50/50 challenges. Pick a Diaby-style player for your central midfield.
12. Keep calm
You can’t force greatness in FIFA 13 (unless you have Messi/Ronaldo in your side, you’re a FIFA God or are playing against the gaming equivalent of Rotherham United). Be patient, build up your play slowly and don’t let your opponent frustrate you into making mistakes. If you get emotional or frustrated after falling behind by a few goals, your play will suffer and so will your goal-scoring chances. Try not to let going a goal down mentally affect you.
Your tips
Why not share your advice in the comments section below?
58 comments ↓
u have a amazing squad apart from remy who maybe amazingly fast with like 96 pace or w.e but he is a awfull finsher and terrible passer i have samuel eto up front 85 and jermine defo who always seems to score and with my rm who is de mira 86 and lm matt jarvis lmao 76 but does the job on lm u really do not need to use so much money on that squad i did get lucky with de mira or w.e his name is got him in a premium pack and got jesus narvas to replace him when tired :) my chemristy is 99 so all gd had to spend alot on gettin them all a 4-4-2 formation lol div is not that hard won the div 3 times in a row for some reason i did sht in div 3 and 2 kept losing :| lol seems to have got a bit easier think im gettin just 10 times better ha
can u please help me i am really tired of losing and i sold my team and i only had 19k sadley now i only have a few grand and i am waiting for a fe players to sell so that i can make a teAM LIKE YOURS PLEASE REPLY thank you
No its not that hard to win thr division cup.
1 hour ago i’ve won the cup WITH a( mexican ) team.
4-3-3. G rojas Emenike L rojas
this must be your attacking players.
i promise you you will won, i’ve won so many times against the deadliest teams like forlan di maria iniesta pepe puyol pique.
If you dont believe me or if you want some help, Add me psn :
Gemberbean
btw i won the div 1 cup With a SILVER SQUAD.
I just want to ask is my team good or bad ?:
St : soldado
Lw: pedro
Rw: Sanchez
Cm: xavi
Cm: xabi alonso
Cm: fabergas
Lb: marcelo
Cb: rami
Cb: mashcerano
Gk: Diego alves
Sorry my rb is jao Ferrara
Mohammed, your defense is pretty slow. I’d sell xavi plus your two cbs, then buy pique pepe and a more attacking midfielder, like cazorla, mata or silva. all up to you. btw, won first division 1 title today. went 7-0
team: 4-2-3-1
neuer
Piszczek
hummels
vermaelen
j.alba
L. Gustavo
Schweinsteiger
Müller
Özil
Reus
Podolski
anyone that want to trade players, I have a 4-5-1 team
GK- Cech
LB-Evra
CB-Agger
CB-Kompany
RB-Sagna
CM-Yaya Toure
LM-Hazard
RM-Valencia
CAM-Tevez
CAM-Suarez
ST-Van Persie
I want Aguero and Nani if anyone want to trade. Also looking for Maicon.
Ill trade you nani for hazard
im using 3-4-1-2 formation and was wondering what players to get? espessially my CBs?
Since you are using a 3 man defense I would suggest get fast CBs since you will be using them a lot. I would get Kompany or Pique.
yo luis i got aguero…are you on psn…if so message me..my psn is: Realtji
I switched to a 4-3-3, I’m trading RVP, Tevez, Suarez or Valencia for Aguero, Rooney, Nani or Maicon. Msg me PSN: lugarcia24
Hey Guys, What do you think of my squad?
LW: David Villa/Pedro
ST: Benzema
RW: Jesus Navas
CM: Fabregas
CM: IF Busquets
CM: Xabi Alonso
LB: Jordi Alba
CB: Pique
CB: Pepe
RB: Joao Pereira
GK: Valdes.
I was thinking i need a more pacy midfield, but they all have good dribbling, and fabregas has amazing penalties.
@Mohammed, Diego Alves is errible, he does have good diving and reflexes, but his positioning isnt very good, when i used him, he used to dive for the ball when he was more than 10m away… i would suggest reina/valdes. casillas if ou have the money…
Just won div 1 7-0
4-1-2-1-2 formation
Gk – lloris
Rb – maicon
Lb- a.cole
Cb- vidic ( very very very slow 56 pace )
Cb – kompany
CDM – yaya toure ( godly )
RM – nani
LM – hazard
cam – silva
St – aguero
St – Rooney
I have a pretty good team.. But I belted everyone 4-0+ even scoring 6,7 or 8 goals sometimes..
I think you just need a playstyl you can master and then you’re on your way.
My tip is be patient with your build up and don’t make a pass in th back or midfield until they run a player out of position to you..now you have space and can go.
Pace isn’t everything, most bad players RELY on pace…it’s one thing to use it and another thing to RELY on it.
Good luck and let me know if I can help. Currently on a 40 game win streak.. Maybe more, I lost count.
I believe the same with MANU4ever a lot of people rely on pace i believe which is why there are so many brazilian teams out there. remember also long shots are so much more affective in FUT then just a regular game.
Just won div 1 with my beast BPL squad I play a 4-3-3.
GK- Cech
CB- Kompany (he’s unreal)
CB – Vermaleen
LB- Cole
RB- Ivanovic
CM- Nasri
CM- David Silva
CM- Cazorla
LW- Hazard
RW- Walcott
ST- Fernando Torres (if)
I won D1 with a BPL 4-3-3
GK- Lloris
CB-Kompany
CB-Agger
LB-Cole
RB-Maicon
CM-Silva
CM-Rooney
CM-Toure
LW-Hazard
RW-Nani
ST-RVP
I just won D 1 7-0-1 with a three squad rotation to keep everyone healthy.
All 4-2-2-2
Gk Mandana if
Lb Konko if
Cb Sakho
Cb Yanga
Rb Tremonlius if
CDM M Vila (Russian league version)
CDM Diarra
Cam Honda
Cam Bhoussifa
St Emenike
St Eto’o
Gk Sirigu
Rb abate
Cb obonno
Cb thiago silva
Lb bendimo
Cdm matsuidi if
CDM mavuba
Cam Gourcuff
Cam Lucas
St benzema
St remy
Gk Julio Caesar
Rb Sagna
Cb David Luiz
Cb Yanga (Newcastle)
Lb evra
CDM cabaye
CDM diaby
Cam Juan mata
Cam Nasri
St sturridge
St aguero
@Manu4ever
What’s ur psn name and I try and end that 40 game winning streak you have going on ??
So I have a club in FUT with 2 squads. I thought you guys said in your “Keep Fit” section to play your B team in offline seasons matches to rest your A team for online matches. When I do this my A team doesn’t gain any fitness. What am I doing wrong?
I have won the division 1 title numerous times with a 5-2-2-1 formation.
Yes i play defensive and counter attacking and i love it.i
Get the right players and that formation will do you wonders.
Cech
Leichsteiner barzagli chiellini ogbonna ashley cole
Marchisio vidal
Palacio giovinco
Cavani
Team rating :84
Subs :
Pato
Pirlo
Mata
Ivanovic
Luiz
Agger
Terry
Hulk
Lampard
Villa
Torres
Pato
Robinho
i won d 1 with a bpl 5212 squad
GK: Hart
LWB: Evra
CB: Lescott
CB: Vermalen/Dawson
CB: Ferdinand
RWB: Kyle Walker/ Glen Johnson
CM: Gerrad
CM: Wilshere
CF: Podolski
ST: Tevez
ST: Defoe/ Cisse (newcastle)
any suggestions for new players?
@Acer, the players will recover fitness, sit out the red card or from an injury (1,2.. games) if they are among the subs or reserves of your active team. If you have more than 1 squad or if the players are stored in your club, the match that you play has no effect on anything but the line-up, subs and reserves of the team you use for that match.
Won D1 with 4-1-2-1-2
De Gea(if)
Baines Luiz Agger Johnson
Toure
Young Lennon
Gerrard
Hernandez Welbeck(if).
I think you need pace at the back in D1, that’s why everyone has Luiz right…?
I want a new team, I already have an EPL team, I want a Bundesliga team. Any suggestions for players?
[...] How to win division 1 on FIFA 13 Ultimate Team online [...]
Be a absolute sweaty bastard, thats all it takes, Just pace abuse and score the sweaty goals.
Thats all division one is about :p
I would recommend my team a it has a lot of pace. 4-3-2-1 formation…
GK : Adler (84)
RB : Łukasz Piszczek (82)
CB : Santana (77) 82 SPRINT SPEED
CB : Naldo (80) 96 SHOT POWER GREAT HEADERS AND 77 SPRINT SPEED
LB : Alaba (77)
CM: Reus (84) COMPLETE BEAST
CM : GOTZE (84) ANOTHER BEAST
CM: Muller (84) to complete the beast trio
LF: Schurrle (79) 88 pace 83 dribble 81 shot
ST : Gomez (87) BEAST SHOOTING + HEADING + STRENGTH pace isn’t as bad as it looks either
RF: Błaszczykowski (80) 93-94 pace just an amazing player recommended.
Although you will need some position modifiers, i was lucky enough to get some really expensive one’s that i urgently needed for chemistry boots in a pack.
could u guys let me know if my team is any good!
GK: Casillas
LB: Marcelo
CB: Pepe
CB: Pique
RB: Lahm
RM: Robben
CDM: Xabi Alonso
LM: Iniesta transferred from LW to LM
CAM: David Silva
ST: Balotelli
ST: Aguero
this took me months to make! The formation is 41212
I won today against 4-3-3
Casillas
IF Jordi Alba
TOTY Piqué
IF Pepe
Dani Alves
IF Fabregas
TOTY Xavi
TOTY Iniesta
Ronaldo
Messi
IF Pedro
Undefeated! So it’s not that hard
Has anyone got hazard that they want to give me and I will give u a good player I am on Xbox
Can someone help me? I just won title division 1 offline on legendary/ultimate and i won a premium gold pack, but my question is, when i win it again, i get another premium gold pack or is it olny for one time?
Thanks!
Won title 5221
Hart
Clichy
Kabul
LuiZ
Lucio
Richards
Silva
Xavi
Palciou
Neymar
Pato
With ease
Hart
Cole
Kompany
Terry
Maicon
Walcott
Gerard
Wilshere
Hoilett
Rooney
Giroud
Lloris
Maicon
Vidic
Kompany
Cole
Walcott
Silva
Yaya toure
Hazard
Bale
Van perose
I dunno I just got messi and ronaldo recently
i was running a 3-5-2 and switched to a 4-3-3 today
this is my team
casillas
marcelo
sergio ramos
pique
dani alves
xavi
xavi alonso
fabregas
ronaldo
messi
di maria
I have a bunch of really good bench guys too like modric, ozil, bale, puyol, pepe, victor valdez, falcao, and sanchez,
I just find that before i had ronaldo and messi i was dummying kids and now that i have them i have been getting beat more often
My team is
Gk schezsney
Rb v Weil
Lb monreal
Cb dante
Cb koscielny
Cm wilshere
Cm fabregas
Cm cazorla
Lw kaka
Rw Walcott
Cf higuain
My Team is not your cliche standard team everyone plays. With Bundesliga, BPL or Brazilians but I managed to win Division 1 playing 3-4-3:
GK: Velthuizen/Vermeer
LCB: Moisander (Not as fast as I’d like but good in the air!)
CB: Douglas
RCB: Alderweireld
LM: Mertens (Short and weak but quick enough to make it back to make a back 5)
CM: Strootman (slow but a powerhouse)
CM: Fer
RM: Lens
LW: Boerrigter (Top Scorer, Immense, pace to burn)
ST: De Jong/Bony
RW: Narsingh (another pacy winger)
Sold all my spanish team (41212) and went for expensive prem (ish) side with 4321. This formation is quality and a lot more free flowing than the expensive 41212
IF Cesar
IF Enrique
IF Kompany
Thiago Silva
Maicon
IF Rooney
SIF Marchisio
SIF Cazorla
IF Bale
IF Gervinho
Aguero
Bench (for chemistry purposes otherwise you know what my front 3 would be)
Clichy
IF Rafael
Toure
Ribery
Robben
Messi
Falcao
Took a lot of trading and to be fair brought a fair few pack trying to get those TOTY players of which I got none but really enjoy this formation a lot more than the 41212.
I am in that situation where I have two games left. If I win both of them, I win division 1. I am thinking of making a few improvements but don’t know any good German CDMs.
I use Khedira and made Kroos a CDM. Any ideas? (I have Bender but he isn’t working out for me).
My formation is a 4-2-2-2 by the way, and no I am not changing it.
Also my starting 11 is
Weise- GK
Lahm, Badstabber, Hummels, and Pitsceck- Defenders
Kroos (CDM card placed) and Khierda- CDMs
Gotze and Ozil- CAM (Gotze is my captain and top goal scorer)
Reis (ST card attached) and Benzema- STs
My primary subs are Gomez (St), Vidal (CDM), Milito (ST), Muller (CAM), Pastore (CAM), Millito (ST), Tevez (ST), Ramires (CDM) and Bender (CDM)
Yes I know there are a lot of spelling mistakes but stil, please give me ways to improve my team. I am fine with pace but my CDMs do have mproblems covering speedy midfielders and forwards. Also, my team does have 100 chem and all my starters have 9 chem individually.
I recently gave my first team to my brother, now I am trying to make a new EPL team.
I have a 4-1-2-1-2
Gk- reina
LB – Evra
CB david luiz
Cb Agger
Rb sagna
Cdm ramires
Lm young
Rm walcott
Cam suarez
St hermandez
St tevez
I need more players. Help?
Well i keep losing D1 by about 1 win and i can’t find a team i like. i have built a team from the bpl/epl, liga Portuguese, Russian ligue, bundersliga, serie a, brazil, spain and many more.
Anyone got any ideas?
i got about 300k, message me on youtube @360MegaAce please. thank you!!!
You could always do a national team. Or it could be down to using the wrong formation for your style. a mate of mine had the same problem but i told him to use a 3-4-3 coz it’s counter attack potential is pretty good. Simple but it works.
i used 3-4-3 on fut 12 with england but i think i am fine now, i got a 4-2-3-1 serie a team and a bpl cheap team.
I used to get demolished in division 1 playing a 3-5-2 playstyle. Unless you’re incredibly disciplined in the back or a fifa legend, avoid formations with 3 defenders. I have since switched to a 4-3-3 & have won div. 1 3 times!
Old shitty 3-5-2 squad:
Valdes
Pepe, Mascherano, Alba
Pedro, Xabi Alonso, busquets, Di Maria
Ozil
Podolski, Reus
I got shit on with this seemingly great team hahah.
My new 4-3-3 squad is much better now that I have 4 defenders instead of 3.
Valdes
Pereria, Pepe, Pique, Alba
David Silva, fabregas, Modric
Pedro, benzema, Di Maria
Bench: 89 Falcao, Ozil, Sanchez, Mascherano, Arbeola
FIFA 14 has been announced and still i think ea messed up FIFA 13 servers. It lags big time and it looks like sometime ea dont want me to win, and sometime they dont want me to lose. its insane. does anyone one else feel that fifa 13 some times favours you and sometime the opponent ?
hi everyone I made a new team 4-2-2-2 formation please tell me if i can do any improvement:
st: benzema
st: falcao
cam: mata
cam: da maria
cdm: xavi
cdm: alonso
rb: dani alves
cb: ramos
cb:pepe
lb: alba
Gk: cassillas
get ride of alves, he has high attacking work rates. he will leave gaps at the back and you will be playing 3 at the back and like CRAIG it cost you games and trust me it will.
THIS IS MY TEAM
GK:HART
LB:ASHLEY COLE
CB:FERDINAND
CB:TERRY
RB:MICAH RICHARDS
LM:ASHLEY YOUNG
CM:WILSHERE
CM:GERRARD (BEAST)
RM:LENNON
ST:WAYNE ROONEY (BEAST)
ST:DARREN BENT (ANOTHER BEAST)
FORMATION:4-4-2
ur man you can always change player work rate
You guys should get a Brazil squad like mine which should have pace because that’s one of the most important things in FIFA. If you want, you can get my squad. It is not expensive around 20k-30k. Trust me guys this team is so good and I have won Division 1 with this team 4 times! Just lob through pass and score!
My team: 3421 formation
GK: CECH
RCB: FELIPE SANTANA
CB: DAVID LUIZ
LCB: DEDE
RM: JORGE HENRIQUE
RCM: LUCAS
LCM: KAKA
LM: EMERSON
RF: HULK
ST: PATO/ WELLITON
LF: ROBINHO/ NEYMAR
NOTE: I have Petr CECH in goal because he links to David Luiz.
If you want to search these players or any other players and for information about players on FIFA Ultimate team then please visit http://www.futhead.com
Im looking to make a trade for IF sirigu…ill give you IF busquets for him…anybody interested?
My Team. GT: LastLieutenant. Hit me up if you’re wanting to trade teams.
GK: Lloris
RB: Maicon
CB: Vidic
CB: Kompany
LB: Jose Enrique
CM: IF Fellaini
CAM: Gerrard
LM: Hazard
RM: Bale
ST: Van Persie
ST: Suarez
i won division 1 with record of 7-1-2
Formation 5-2-2-1
GK DIEGO ALVES
RWB IF RAFAEL
CB THIAGHO SILVA
CB LUCIO
CB DEDE
LWB MARCELO
CM RONALDINHO
CM KAKA
LF NEYMAR
RF HULK
ST WELLINTON
GOOD TEAM VERY CONSISTENT BUT ISNT CHEAP…
(BRAZILIAN TEAM)
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