The biggest and most competitive FIFA eWorld Cup is well underway at the O2 Arena.Now 14 years on since the inaugural tournament, the 32 finest players in FIFA 18 are all under the same roof to compete for £190,000 and the coveted status of world champion.With eSports continuing to grow in popularity and publicity greater than ever, going all the way in London promises to be a career-altering opportunity.What makes the competition so exciting is that, just as anybody can qualify, anyone can put together the string of results necessary to lift the trophy on Saturday.With the field cut down from a massive 20 million hopefuls, clashes between the world’s finest players have already delivered fireworks and goals in abundance.Nevertheless, there are still particular gamers feeling rather confident coming into the finals and are in amongst the most fancied to go all the way.From stars of club set-ups such as Manchester City and AS Roma to up and coming players, there will be some heavyweight clashes to come.With a weekend full of crunch matches on the horizon, it’s very interesting to look at the players considered the favourites going into the finals and how they’ve fared so far. One day of action was all it took to produce very mixed fortunes.

Nicolas 'Nicolas99FC' Villalba

One of the most feared players in the competition, Villalba entered the tournament amid rumours he’s only lost 11 games online at home. It is his ability to remain calm under pressure that makes him such a threat on the biggest stages of competitive FIFA and he started this year’s eWorld Cup with an unwavering focus.

Playing for Transfermarkt, he deploys the 4-2-3-1 formation and has strung together an impressive run of form this season. Villalba took the gold medal at Argentina’s Copa TyC and qualified for the finals with victory in the FUT Champions Cup in Barcelona as the PlayStation 4 winner.

The transition to the eWorld Cup didn’t halt his strong form either with the Argentine making a faultless start to the competition. Deploying an ominous attacking triumvirate of Ronaldo Nazario; Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, he overcame Jimmy Donkers and Ivan Lapanje in his opening two fixtures.

Philipp Schermer was then put to the sword with an aggregate score of 5-1, before another comfortable victory over Harry ‘Honey Badger’ Blackmore saw him control the group after round five. He enters the second day with a very realistic chance of going all the way.

Spencer 'Gorilla' Ealing

The reigning champion has entered this year’s competition with high hopes of retaining his crown and becoming the first player to do so in the process. Since his crowning moment last year, Ealing has transferred from UniLad to the long-established FaZe Clan and has enjoyed a solid season in new surroundings.

He has been very consistent throughout the campaign without securing a marquee victory to greatly worry rivals such as Bittner and Villalba. A top four place in the Xbox Playoffs proves the highlight of his career as champion and can be supplemented with solid outings in both Barcelona and Manchester.

Ealing’s early qualification for the tournament looked an obvious advantage, but day one began in frustrating fashion with two draws against soft opponents. However, 'Gorilla' was quick to respond, and propelled himself back into the game with a brilliant performance against Mosaad Aldossary that included a 4-0 second leg win.

That victory did Ealing's confidence the world of good as he secured an English derby win over compatriot Luke Crafty before seeing out the evening in a promising position. Although retaining his title proves a daunting task, he's certainly in the mix to bring the trophy home for FaZe Clan on Saturday.

Mossad 'MSdossary' Aldossary

Voted by his own peers as the best defensive player in the tournament, Aldossary admitted in the recent build-up that he sometimes goes weeks without practice. Don’t be deceived, however, as the Saudi Arabian enters the competition in a rich vein of form and qualified for the Playoffs by defeating all before him at the FUT Spring Cup.

Aldossary is regarded as one of the finest players on the Xbox platform and is feared among rivals for his ability to move between formations. This week’s tournament will go a long way in showing whether he can cope with his newfound fame in the FIFA community and whether he can improve upon a last-eight finish at the Playoffs.

And the jury was out after his first game of the evening, edging his way past Niklas Raseck in the  second fixture after a tense opening leg that ended 3-3. A blockbuster tie with 'Gorilla' was eventually arranged and the game certainly lived up to the billing, but it wasn't to be for Aldossary with an emphatic defeat in the second leg costing him dearly.

However, the Saudi Arabian maintained calm in the remaining fixtures and kept himself in the mix ahead of the knockout rounds, claiming the scalp of dark horse Senna with an 8-4 score on aggregate. He won't be as fancied as he was before the opening game, but it would be unwise to write him off just yet.

Marcus 'Marcuzo' Jorgensen

Jorgensen is entering his second consecutive Grand Final and appears to boast Manchester City’s best chance of lifting silverware at the O2 Arena. The Dane has already built an enviable resume in the FIFA gaming community – signing for City in December 2017 - despite playing competitively for just three years.

Rated as one of the favourites by FIFA commentator Richard Buckley, he is prolific in front of goal and can often win games by landslide margins. He also delivered one of the biggest pre-tournament statements with his victory over 'Nicolas99FC' across two legs at the FUT Champions Cup in Barcelona.

His Manchester City teammate Kai 'Deto' Wallin had a difficult time on day one and there was also struggles for Jorgensen despite a typical glut of goals. Jorgensen navigated some of his easier ties but all eyes were on his derby with compatriot and training partner August Rosenmeier in one of the round's tensest games.

YouTuber Spencer Owen and founder of Hashtag United was on hand to see his player 'Agge' take the win, upsetting Jorgensen in a 5-4 victory. Nevertheless, there will be plenty of time for the City man to throw himself into contention when play resumes again on Friday.

Michael 'MegaBit' Bittner

Fancied by many to go all the way in London this week, ‘MegaBit’ has a reputation in the FIFA gaming industry for his ability to move between Xbox One and PlayStation 4 with remarkable ease. He sensationally qualified for the FUT Champions Cup in Barcelona across both platforms, despite a slight preference for Xbox One.

It could give him a key advantage going into a potential final, which will be contested across the two consoles. Bittner often causes his opponents problems with his simple style of football and waiting for a clear opportunity in the box to ensure he very rarely misses – an approach he used to deadly effect in the FIFA 18 Global Series Playoffs.

After day one, it’s clear to see why he is one of the most revered men in the competition as he accumulated a maximum 15 points with five wins from five games. Adam ‘DreamR’ Barton came unstuck against him in the opening match and Fabio Denuzzo suffered the same fate to the tune of a 9-5 aggregate defeat.

Games with Josaci Seni and Marvyn Robert posed him little trouble, before a thrilling game with fellow contender Alexander Garcia ended in controversy. The Xbox froze and quit to the home screen with the score at 7-7 but it was Bittner who recovered to win 9-7 and take an immaculate record into day two.

Who do you think will win the FIFA eWorld Cup this week? Have your say in the comments section below.