TOTW 12 Predicted Starting XI
As another exciting week of football unfolds, it’s time to take a closer look at the standout performances from the week. With several big wins, hat tricks, and standout individual performances, there’s plenty of talent to choose from.
GK: Franco Armani (River Plate) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
I anticipate the Argentine inclusions to continue while the season pass is live, with the division finally getting some recognition. Armani is the best goalkeeper option by a long way after he saved a penalty, alongside ten other saves, to ensure River Plate took all three points.
CB: Enrico Delprato (Parma) - 75 OVR -> 86 OVR:
So far, four-week gaps have typically been reserved for hat-trick performances. This time, we're testing with the gap using Delprato. The Italian defender has had a strong season, and his latest MOTM display was key in Parma's 3-1 victory over Lazio.
CB: Joe Gomez (Liverpool) - 80 OVR -> 84 OVR:
With Konate now out for several weeks, Liverpool needed someone to step up alongside VVD. Either of the central defenders in the partnership could make this side, and I expect one of them to after the 2-0 win over Man City. I have opted for Gomez due to the circumstances.
CB: Leandro Cabrera (Espanyol) - 74 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The first of this week’s featured IFs goes to Cabrera. With defenders being scarce this week, a featured boost makes sense for the selection process. After contributing a goal and an assist in a 3-1 victory, I fully expect him to be included in some capacity.
RM: Amad Diallo (Manchester United) - 75 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Some question marks were raised about the decision to play Diallo at RWB, but he has excelled so far, proving to be a constant threat down the right flank. With two assists this week and a 9 rating from Sky, his inclusion seems straightforward, especially with Rashford featured in the current promotion.
CAM: Cole Palmer (Chelsea) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Chelsea have been underperforming for several seasons, but Maresca finally seems to have them playing to their potential. Another comfortable win this week brought them level on points with second place. Palmer contributed a goal and an assist to earn MOTM.
CM: Scott McTominay (Napoli) - 78 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Serie A provided very few options this week, so I expect a random inclusion. My guess is McTominay. The Scotsman scored the decisive goal in Napoli's 1-0 victory.
RM: Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona) - 90 OVR -> 92 OVR:
Norway took huge strides toward qualification via a 4-0 win over Northern Ireland. Hansen scored two of those four goals, and with this side needing something special, Hansen provides that spark.
ST: Jonathan Burkardt (Mainz) - 76 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Burkardt has been scoring for fun this season, with another two goals this week taking his total to nine for the season. Mainz went on to win the match 2-0, with Burkardt claiming a 1.5 match rating.
ST: Omar Marmoush (Frankfurt) - 79 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Talking of scoring for fun, Marmoush is one of the most in-form players in Europe currently. Yet another MOTM performance saw him score twice for Frankfurt this weekend. Will he stay in Germany in January, or will the inevitable transfer happen?
ST: Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
It seems unusual to go this long without a Lacazette promotional card, but TOTW 12 looks set to bring his first. The Frenchman scored three times as Lyon beat Nice 4-1.
TOTW 12 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Andres Reyes (New York Red Bulls) - 68 OVR -> 83 OVR:
With the MLS playoffs still underway, I expect an MLS IF each week. There is only one real option this time around, and that is Reyes. He scored the only goal of the game as NYRB beat Orlando 1-0. He was subbed in the second half, but I would expect enough has been done.
RW: Ludovic Blas (Rennes) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Ligue 1 Player of the Week went to Blas this week, with the Frenchman receiving a huge 9/10. With a goal and two assists, he beat fellow teammate Kalimuendo, who scored three, to the award.
CAM: Guus Til (PSV) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
A 5-2 away win for PSV saw several of their players become candidates for this week’s side. Saibari is ruled out due to IF proximity for me, which opens the door for Guus Til. The Dutchman scored twice and assisted another from CM.
LM: Borja Sainz (Norwich) - 71 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Sainz is attracting a lot of interest for his performances this season, and the Spaniard shows no signs of slowing down. A hat trick during Norwich's first win this week puts him in line for his second IF of the year.
CAM: Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Kluivert was gifted a hat trick by Wolves this weekend, scoring from the penalty spot on three occasions. The Dutchman was still named MOTM by Sky, and with a 9/10 rating, his spot in the side is cemented.
ST: Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
With several Bundesliga strikers standing out this week, there’s a possibility one of the predicted three could miss out, but they are the best options of the week, so I struggled to ignore one. Amoura is the third, with his double helping guide Wolfsburg to an impressive 5-1 away win over Leipzig.
ST: Lucas Perez (Deportivo) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
There were not many hat tricks this week, with only three making the prediction compared to the usual six or seven. Perez was one of those players, making him a strong choice for this week's side.
CB: Steve Rouiller (Servette) - 71 OVR -> 83 OVR:
There were several silver defenders in contention for the side this week, and one of the best was Rouiller. The Swiss defender scored twice and kept a clean sheet as Servette secured a 3-0 win.
LM: Kevin Schade (Brentford) - 72 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Brentford spoiled Ruud's first game in charge of Leicester, and despite Ruud's team taking the lead, Brentford came back to win 4-1. Schade scored three of those goals, with his pace causing constant problems.
CM: Luke McCowan(Celtic) - 69 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Celtic recorded a routine 5-0 win while hosting Ross County this weekend. McCowan was behind much of that success, with three assists and a goal to his name.
CAM: Lucas Holer (Frieburg) - 73 OVR -> 83 OVR:
With limited hat tricks to shout about this week, it made including Holer a lot easier than it normally would. The German fully deserves his spot in the side, having scored twice and assisted another during Freiburg's 3-1 win.
ST: Leo Baptistao (Almeria) - 74 OVR -> 83 OVR:
While two from the second division of Spain seems unlikely, I couldn't ignore either candidate. Baptistao is the second included, having scored twice and assisted another two during Almeria's 4-0 win.
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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