TOTW 1 Predicted Starting XI
We are now just two days away from the web app opening, which coincides with the opening TOTW. Several high-end players performed, which will likely result in a strong opening side. Headlining, we have the likes of Llorente, Barcola, Kane, and Haaland.
GK: Robin Roefs (Sunderland) - 74 OVR -> 82 OVR:
With silver keepers being the ones to stand out across various divisions, I can see EA opting to award them the first featured IF of the year. Roefs has excelled all season for Sunderland so far, and it was another sublime performance between the sticks this week, making six saves to ensure Sunderland secured a 0-0 draw away to Palace.
RB: Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
EA often includes a hyped player or two in their opening TOTW, and while there are several that select themselves this week, defenders do give them some leeway. The first being Llorente. The Spaniard assisted one of Atlético's two goals as they beat Villarreal 2-0.
CB: Micky Van De Ven (Tottenham) - 82 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Although it was actually Bervall who went on to be awarded MOTM during Tottenham's 3-0 away win over West Ham, with numerous midfielders performing well this week, I think it's difficult for him to sneak in. With limited action in the PL this week, I can't see Tottenham being ignored, however, and therefore VDV seems likely, scoring the third to go alongside his clean sheet.
CB: Benjamin Pavard (Marseille) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Marseille have started the season rather hit-and-miss, with backroom drama making the headlines. It was a comfortable win this week, though, scoring four without reply against Lorient. Both central defenders scored in the win, and realistically, it’s a coin flip between the two for who is selected.
LM: Grimaldo (Leverkusen) - 84 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Despite ending the match with just nine men, Leverkusen were able to hold firm, securing a 3-1 home win over Frankfurt. Grimaldo stood out, scoring two superb free kicks, with the second coming in the final moments of the match, claiming the Spaniard Man of the Match and inevitably a Week 1 In-Form.
CM: Zubimendi (Arsenal) - 83 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Arsenal splashed out £51m for Zubimendi this summer, with the Spaniard instantly making an impact on their side. His performance this weekend was by far his best, though, scoring twice as Arsenal recorded a comfortable 3-0 win at home against Nottingham Forest.
CAM: Fermin (Barcelona) - 80 OVR -> 83 OVR:
A late addition to the side came with Barcelona causing havoc in the Valencia defence with a 6-0 demolition. Three players scored twice, but with Fermin López being named MOTM, it seems likely the IF goes his way.
LW: Bradley Barcola(PSG) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
PSG continued their 100% start to the season with a 2-0 win at home to Lens, making it four wins from four. Barcola scored both the goals this week, with Vitinha providing the assists. With the Frenchman claiming POTW in France, it’s likely that he’s the one receiving the IF.
CAM: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta) - 82 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Atalanta recorded their first win of the season with a 4-1 victory at home to Lecce. De Ketelaere stood out, scoring two of those four goals, alongside receiving a perfect 10 match rating from Sofascore.
ST: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) - 89 OVR -> 90 OVR:
It's yet to be seen if EA will be reluctant to award both male and female sides an IF in the same week, but considering how many times they were snubbed last season, I would guess only one will make it. Kane scored twice and assisted another during a 5-0 Munich win. Both Buhl and Oberdorf have claims for inclusion also.
ST: Erling Haaland (Man City) - 90 OVR -> 91 OVR:
The Manchester Derby has been rather one-sided for a while now, with City being dominant over the recent era. This match was no different, with City recording a comfortable 3-0 win. Haaland scored two of those three goals, making his spot in TOTW 1 probable.
TOTW 1 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Maya Le Tissier (Man United) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Last season saw somewhat of a quota of female players included, and I would expect a similar story again this time around. The WSL was a division often preferred, and with a few options available this week, I would expect the division to feature. Le Tissier stood out at the back for United, scoring once and assisting another during their 5-1 win.
CAM: Thomas Muller (Vancouver) - 80 OVR -> 83 OVR:
I could see Müller having a lot of fun in the MLS. The German midfielder is still very capable, as shown during Vancouver's dominant 7-0 win this weekend. Müller was involved in four of those goals, scoring three and assisting another. There were numerous MLS options this week, but Müller is the most likely to feature.
CAM: Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) - 79 OVR -> 82 OVR:
One of the most entertaining matches of the week came with Juventus recording a 4-3 win over Inter. There were several players across both sides standing out, but it was Yıldız who was named MOTM for his goal and assist. Turkey has a bright future with the number of players breaking through currently.
LM: Jaden Philogene (Ipswich) - 75 OVR -> 80 OVR:
The international break gave both Ipswich and Sheffield United a chance to reset after underwhelming starts to the season. It was the title favourites who came out on top, in a convincing manner. Philogene scored three of their five as they recorded a statement win on Friday.
RM: Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) - 80 OVR -> 83 OVR:
With numerous 0-0s playing out in the PL this weekend, it leaves the door open for a couple of IFs that would often be snubbed. One of which is Semenyo. The Ghanaian continued his strong form to start the season with a goal and an assist, helping Bournemouth beat Brighton 2-1.
ST: Xherdan Shaqiri (Basel) - 78 OVR -> 82 OVR:
Shaqiri is still going strong in his home country of Switzerland with Basel. With Shaqiri now upgraded to a base gold for FC 26, an opening IF seems possible. With two goals and an assist, he led Basel to a 3-1 away win over Thun.
ST: Denis Bouanga (LAFC) - 79 OVR -> 82 OVR:
The MLS could easily fill half this squad, but I have to limit it somewhere, and for that reason, only one of Bouanga and Rossi made the cut, despite both scoring hat-tricks. Bouanga is a bigger name, and that ultimately led me to my final decision. The Gabon international scored three as LAFC beat San Jose 4-2.
LW:Mika Godts (Ajax) - 74 OVR -> 79 OVR:
While a defensive option on the reserves is probable, with so many attackers performing well, I have opted to play the numbers game and included the forwards. Godts scored twice and assisted another for Ajax during their 3-1 win over Zwolle.
ST: Zakaria Eddahchouri (Deportivo) - 68 OVR -> 79 OVR:
There were a couple of options from Deportivo this week, with Soriano providing three assists alongside Eddahchouri's three goals. It's the latter I expect to make the side, though, especially after receiving a perfect 10 from Sofascore.
ST: Idan Toklomati (Charlotte) - 66 OVR -> 79 OVR:
Yep, another MLS option. While three is probably pushing it, excluding any of them is difficult. Toklomati also scored three times, this time against the hyped Inter Miami, as Charlotte shocked them with a 3-0 win.
ST: Medina Desic (Werder Bremen) - 72 OVR -> 79 OVR:
The Frauen Bundesliga slot was an easy one to fill this week, with Desic scoring three for Werder Bremen during their 4-1 away win over Nürnberg. Munich also had a couple of candidates, but with Kane included already, opting for Desic made sense.
ST: Vako (Shandong Taishan) - 74 OVR -> 79 OVR:
Despite only managing to come away with a point, a hat-trick from Vako should still be enough for him to receive an opening week IF. China has been a division which EA have snubbed before, but we will likely get an opening indication of their stance with this potential IF.
That concludes this week's Team of the Week predictions! What do you make of these predictions? Is there anyone else who should have made the TOTW? Let us know below!
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