PL TOTS Predicted Starting XI
With TOTW now confirmed as finished, we look ahead to TOTS, which should be just around the corner. To start things off, we look towards the Premier League. Liverpool dominated the division from the get-go and see four inclusions as a result, while Forest also heavily feature from their shock Champions League qualification.
GK: Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest) - 77 OVR -> 92 OVR:
While Nottingham Forest have conceded more goals than both Arsenal and Liverpool, it's to be expected considering what was expected of each side pre-season. Sels currently leads the Golden Glove race with an impressive thirteen clean sheets to his name. While the name is not as big as your Rayas or Alissons, on performances alone the keeper should be Sels without a doubt.
CB: Murillo (Nottingham Forest) - 78 OVR -> 93 OVR:
Sticking with Nottingham Forest now, and Murillo has played a huge role during their surprise season, so it’s no surprise that multiple clubs are knocking at the door to sign the young Brazilian, including Real Madrid. Defensive partner Milenkovic has also performed well, but realistically it’s one or the other, and for me, Murillo has been the better of the two despite the four goals for Milenkovic.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool) - 89 OVR -> 98 OVR:
With Liverpool dominating the division for most of the season, it's inevitable that their big names get included. Van Dijk is one of those players, a consistent wall at the back, helping guide Liverpool to the second-best defensive record in the division, with just thirty goals conceded from 31 matches as it stands.
CB: Gabriel (Arsenal) - 86 OVR -> 95 OVR:
Towards the start of the season, all the talk was around both VVD and Saliba, but as we have gone on, I feel that Gabriel has been the better of the pair and the heart of Arsenal's defence. Dangerous at both ends of the pitch, Gabriel has helped Arsenal to the best defensive record in the division while providing that aerial threat at the other end from their now-famous set pieces this season, scoring four times.
RB: Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest) - 75 OVR -> 92 OVR:
While Trent could be forced into this side as a Moments card or straight-up TOTS, I think that would be harsh on Ola Aina. The Nigerian has taken the Premier League by storm with consistent performances for Forest, really standing out throughout their impressive year. There are several clubs looking to sign Aina during the summer, and it will be a real task for Forest to keep hold of him as a result.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) - 78 OVR -> 93 OVR:
Title-winning sides often have a pivotal midfielder who is key to their success. Sometimes their role gets overlooked, but the importance is clear. Gravenberch has been that player for Liverpool this season. Only three of their players have started every match for them: Van Dijk, Salah, and Gravenberch. This shows how crucial he is to them. The Dutchman is likely to make every Premier League TOTS.
CAM: Cole Palmer (Chelsea) - 85 OVR -> 97 OVR:
Some may argue Palmer's position in this side, but with 21 goal contributions (14 goals and 7 assists), I don't think there should be any debate surrounding it. Palmer's reputation is also very high, you only have to look at his TOTY inclusion to understand that. Chelsea have had a rather mediocre year, so I wouldn't expect too many inclusions from them, but Palmer should be nailed on.
CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal) - 87 OVR -> 93 OVR
Rice is fresh in the memory after his ludicrous display against Real Madrid recently, and although that doesn't directly count towards this side, it will definitely help with recency bias. I think Rice deserves a spot in this side regardless, after consistent performances for Arsenal this season, helping contribute to the best defensive record in the division.
ST: Alexander Isak (Newcastle) - 85 OVR -> 94 OVR:
The front three pick themselves, starting with the only inclusion from Newcastle: Isak. The Swedish striker has bagged an impressive twenty goals for them so far this campaign, as they continue to make a push towards Champions League football.
ST: Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 91 OVR -> 97 OVR:
I've seen some predictions that have excluded Haaland. While the standards have been set extremely high by him, even a season where he's not been as prolific as usual can still justify a TOTS inclusion. With twenty-one goals, Haaland is the second-highest goalscorer. That simply cannot be ignored for a Team of the Season squad.
RW: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 89 OVR -> 98 OVR:
Ending the starting eleven, we have Salah, who is likely to also receive Player of the Year. The Egyptian has made a strong case for the Ballon d'Or, and although Liverpool crashing out of the Champions League to PSG severely hurts his chances, he has still managed 27 goals and 17 assists in just 31 matches. With a new contract now signed, he will be looking to continue his legacy next season.
PL TOTS Predicted Subs & Moments
CM: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - 87 OVR -> 94 OVR:
Manchester United continue their struggles in the post-Alex Ferguson era, and if anything, they have been getting worse. It has been a simply shocking campaign for them this year, currently sitting down in 13th with just 38 points from 31 matches. Not what comes to mind when you think of United. Fernandes has been a shining light in the side, and his eight goals and nine assists have helped save United from further embarrassment on numerous occasions.
RM:Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) - 80 OVR -> 91 OVR:
When Brentford are playing well, it's usually the case that Mbeumo is behind that success. This was especially evident in the first half of the season. Sixteen goals and five assists have been recorded by Mbeumo, which, for a side down in twelfth, is extremely impressive.
CAM: Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth) - 77 OVR -> 91 OVR:
Bournemouth have seriously tailed off towards the closing stages of the season, but Kluivert's performances overall should be enough for him to find himself included in this year’s TOTS. Twelve goals and six assists have seen the Dutchman receive two IFs and a POTM so far, but this could be the final card to top off the campaign. Bournemouth have a couple of strong options for the side, but with that aforementioned drop-off, I would expect a maximum of one to end up in the squad.
ST: Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) - 76 OVR -> 90 OVR:
You could make a case that Wood has been the most impressive striker this season, but realistically, with how EA like to do things, he will inevitably feature on the bench. Scoring eighteen times for Forest this season, it's his goals that have helped guide them all the way up to third in the table
RW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) - 87 OVR -> 95 OVR:
Going from last season, there will likely be three Moments inclusions. While these are difficult to predict due to the various routes EA can take, I feel that Saka is highly likely to be one of them. The Arsenal winger has played limited minutes due to injury issues, but with six goals and ten assists in the eighteen games he has managed to feature in, his influence for Arsenal is clear to see. A big name and someone who would have been included had he stayed fit it seems an obvious Moments inclusion to me.
RB: Amad Diallo (Manchester United) - 75 OVR -> 94 OVR:
Diallo has created several memorable moments for United this season with some sublime performances, saving them from the brink of defeat. While he has not done enough to be straight-up included, a Moments card is possible. These cards often go to popular players, and Diallo is exactly that. His Future Star card goes for 400k, and that, linked with the fact there have been several moments to award him this card, makes it a viable option.
LM: Luis Diaz (Liverpool) - 84 OVR -> 91 OVR:
With Liverpool being so dominant this season, I think it's difficult not to have them with the most inclusions. While there are a few obvious candidates, it gets difficult to pick after those. Diaz is a popular option, and with ten goals and five assists, he has been brilliant in patches for Liverpool.
That concludes this team of the season prediction! What do you make of these predictions? Is there anyone else who should have made the TOTS? Let us know below!