TOTW 15 Predicted Starting XI
Not the best festive TOTW we have seen in recent years, but with the likes of Oblak, Davies, Hakimi, and Dybala, there are plenty of exciting options within.
GK: Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) - 88 OVR -> 89 OVR:
Atlético Madrid went to the top of La Liga with a 2-1 win over Barcelona, who continue their poor form. Oblak was arguably the difference between the two sides, making several top saves to ensure Atlético took home all three points.
LB: Alphonso Davies (Munich) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
This could go to either Davies or Kimmich; both managed a goal and an assist and both also received a 1.5 rating from Kicker. With Davies playing in a more defensive role and having more appeal in packs, I am opting for the Canadian.
CB: Murillo (Forest) - 78 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Forest continue to surprise game after game. Their latest three points came via a 2-0 away win over Brentford. Aina scored one of the goals, but it was Murillo who picked up MOTM. The Brazilian is likely to secure a big-money move very soon.
LB: Achraf Hakimi (PSG) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Ligue 1 had just one fixture this week, and it was a big one, with Monaco hosting PSG. Dembélé excelled with two goals, but with a recent Globetrotter card to his name, I am instead opting for Hakimi, who also received an 8/10 from L'Équipe.
LM: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) - 75 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The Manchester City slump continues, this time with Villa picking up all three points against them. Rodgers excelled with an assist to Duran and a superb goal to secure all three points.
CAM: Paulo Dybala (Roma) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
After a comfortable 5-0 win for Roma, an IF this week is inevitable. Thankfully, that decision is also an easy one, with Dybala scoring twice and assisting another from CAM.
RW: Jacob Murphy (Newcastle) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Isak scored three this week as Ipswich were on the end of their latest 4-0 win. With the Swede featuring in the current TOTW, he is unable to receive another. Due to that, I am opting for Murphy, who scored once and assisted another.
RW: Bruma (Braga) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Santa Clara have impressed this season so far and are pushing towards a European spot. This result against Braga won’t help their cause, though, with Bruma's double being enough to secure a 2-0 win for the visitors.
ST: Patrik Schick (Leverkusen) - 82 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Leverkusen looked at their best this weekend, with four goals from Schick spearheading them toward a 5-1 win against Leipzig. Wirtz was also brilliant throughout, but you just can't ignore Schick this week.
ST: Luis Diaz (Liverpool) - 84 OVR -> 87 OVR:
It was the perfect match for a neutral, with nine goals occurring between Liverpool and Tottenham on Sunday. Salah managed four goal contributions, but it was Díaz who ended up claiming MOTM with his brace. The Colombian played in a more advanced ST role and was able to exploit the Tottenham backline with ease.
ST: Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Another Premier League striker now, with Jesus. The Arsenal forward has struggled with confidence for a while now, but a strong performance in the cup midweek saw him awarded a start this weekend. He repaid that faith with a brace and begins to look like the Jesus of early last season.
TOTW 7 Predicted Subs & Reserves
LB: Adam Marusic (Lazio) - 79 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Marusic was only on the pitch for ten minutes, but his impact was enough to see Lazio snatch a late winner and for him to claim MOTM. It's rare for a player to be awarded an IF for so few minutes, but with an official MOTM, I can see it happening here.
LB: Miguel Gutierrez (Girona) - 80 OVR -> 84 OVR:
The position of Gutierrez is the only debatable part of this inclusion, but regardless of what EA decides, I think the Spaniard will make the eventual side. His two assists helped Girona secure a 3-0 win over Valladolid.
CAM: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta) - 79 OVR -> 84 OVR:
After winning the Europa League last season, Atalanta continue to impress as a side. They now sit top of Serie A after a 3-2 win over Empoli. De Ketelaere received an 8/10 from Gazzetta after he scored twice.
CAM: Goncalo Guedes (Wolverhampton) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Wolves have seriously struggled this season, but when you look at how many quality players they have within their ranks, it comes as a surprise. A new manager has now joined, and as is often the case, they have seen a boost, beating Leicester 3-0 away from home. Guedes scored once and assisted another and could become a crucial part of this Wolves revival.
ST: Marco Grull (Weder Bremen) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
A Grull brace helped guide Werder Bremen to a convincing 4-1 win over Union Berlin. The Austrian's performance saw him claim MOTM and earn a place in Kicker's TOTW.
ST: Myrto Uzuni (Granada) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Onto a couple of hat tricks from the second division of Spain now, and although that seems ambitious, the competition is minimal, so it becomes hard to ignore as a result. Uzuni's three goals came as Granada beat Cartagena 4-1.
ST: Luis Javier Suarez (Almeria) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The second of the aforementioned hat tricks comes from Almería's Suárez. Additionally, the Colombian also provided an assist, practically cementing his spot in this side.
RM: Nick Doodeman (Willem) - 65 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Moving away from goals and instead to assists now, Doodeman managed three of them while playing an RM role. Willem went on to record a 4-1 win at home to NEC.
CAM: Callum Lang (Portsmouth) - 67 OVR -> 83 OVR:
We are likely to see a couple of ELL additions come Wednesday, with the first being Lang. The English midfielder recorded four goals as Portsmouth comfortably beat Coventry 4-1.
RW: Bobby Kamwa (Newport) - 61 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Moving down the English pyramid, we go to League 2 to find our next inclusion. Newport managed six, with two hat tricks occurring in the same match. It really could go either way, but with Morris having penalties included, I have opted for Kamwa.
ST: Shuto Machino (Kiel) - 69 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Kiel ended their five-game losing streak in superb fashion, with Augsburg falling victim to a 5-1 demolition job. Machino scored twice and assisted another as Kicker awarded the striker a perfect 1 match rating.
ST: Thierno Barry (Villarreal) - 69 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Villarreal were without a win in six prior to their away fixture with Leganés. It was a cagey affair with the scores level at 2-2, before Leganés saw red on two occasions, allowing Villarreal to run away with it and win 5-2. Barry scored three of those five, making him an easy choice.
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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