TOTW 16 Predicted Starting XI
With just Serie A and the Premier League being the main divisions in action, it comes as no surprise that this side is dominated by players from those leagues. Unfortunately, it is not the strongest side, but there are still plenty of players to get hyped for.
GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With two gameweeks to select from in the Premier League, it was always likely to be Premier League-dominant, especially with most other top divisions on a festive break. Pickford's inclusion comes from Everton's 1-1 away draw with Man City, during which he made four saves, including a Haaland penalty save.
LB: Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With sides playing two fixtures, there is a possibility of two players from the same team. Wolves could surprisingly be one of those, managing it after earning four points from their two fixtures. Aït-Nouri provided two assists from LB as Wolves secured a 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
CB: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Defenders were not easy to select this week, so although a case can be made for Barella's two assists during Inter's 3-0 win, I have instead opted for Bastoni, who scored and kept a clean sheet.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 86 OVR -> 87 OVR:
If only one side receives two IFs this week, I fully expect it to be Liverpool. They continue to dominate the division and look highly likely to go on and lift the title already. Trent receives his IF prediction after scoring during a 5-0 win over West Ham.
LM: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The other Liverpool option comes from their 3-1 win over Leicester. The relegation-battling side actually took the lead, but Liverpool took control from that point onwards. Gakpo led the charge, scoring once and assisting another.
CAM: Matheus Cunha (Wolves) - 79 OVR -> 87 OVR:
The second Wolves player in the prediction is, of course, Cunha. The Brazilian continues to excel, and bigger clubs must come knocking soon. A goal and an assist for Cunha helped Wolves to a 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Leicester.
CM: Joelinton (Newcastle) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Joelinton's recent globetrotter card could be an issue here, but I really struggled to fill out the side, so I am willing to ignore that. The Brazilian provided both a goal and an assist as Newcastle continued their superb form with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
RM: Savinho (Man City) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Savinho is in an extremely similar situation to Joelinton, with the Brazilian also receiving a globetrotter item recently. With City finally recording a win, EA will likely include them in this side. Savinho was pivotal, scoring once and assisting another during the 2-0 win over Leicester.
RM: Geny Catamo (Sporting) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Sporting's form has been shocking since the departure of Amorim, so Benfica would have looked toward this match as a great opportunity to secure their stance in the division. Sporting had other ideas, though, with Catamo scoring the only goal of the match to retain top spot.
ST: Che Adams (Torino) - 75 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With Serie A and the PL being the top main divisions in action this week, I fully expect one featured IF from each. Che Adams looks like the best bet from Serie A, with very limited striker options. His goal and assist ensured Torino came away with a 2-2 draw against Udinese.
ST: Chris Wood (Forest) - 76 OVR -> 85 OVR:
What a superb job Forest are continuing to do. Another two wins this week mean they move up to second. Several of their players stand a chance of a TOTW inclusion, but I have opted for Wood due to the lack of other striker options. He managed a goal and an assist during their 2-0 win over Everton.
TOTW 16 Predicted Subs & Reserves
GK: Nicola Leali (Genoa) - 69 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The best keeper display of the week yet again comes from a silver option. I can easily see two keepers this week, though, so Leali should have no issues making TOTW 16 after producing a penalty save alongside seven other saves during Genoa's 2-1 win.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah (Crystal Palace) - 78 OVR -> 84 OVR:
It was a must-win game for Palace as they played hapless Southampton, and while it was far from an easy win, Chalobah's goal helped them secure all three points.
CM: Khephren Thuram (Juventus) - 78 OVR -> 84 OVR:
This IF is quite pointless, really, with just about everyone already having his RTTK item. It is going to happen regardless, though, after the Frenchman scored twice during their 2-2 draw with Fiorentina.
CDM: Nico Gonzalez (Porto) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Porto recorded a comfortable 4-0 win this week, with a couple of options standing out for the IF. Nico Gonzalez is a gold-base item, though, so I give the preference his way. A goal and an assist from CDM, alongside MOTM, secure the likely IF.
LM: Hugo Siquet (Club Brugge) - 72 OVR -> 83OVR:
Belgium is another division I expect to receive a couple of IFs this week, as it ranks fourth in coefficient. Siquet came off the bench to score twice, helping Brugge come out on top in a seven-goal thriller.
ST: Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli) - 78 OVR -> 84 OVR:
There are likely to be a few players randomly added into the side this week, especially in ST positions, with far fewer required than in a standard week. Raspadori could benefit from that after he came off the bench to score the only goal of the game as Napoli beat Venezia 1-0.
ST: Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
I tend to stay away from the Scottish division, as EA likes to ignore it. On this occasion, I can’t, however, with Furuhashi being the only gold striker to score more than once, thanks to his brace in Celtic's 4-0 home win.
CB: Lautaro Valenti (Parma) - 69 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Valenti received one of the highest Gazzetta match ratings of the week, with a 7.5. It came after the central defender scored a last-minute winner to secure all three points for Parma.
CDM: Josh Eccles (Coventry) - 71 OVR -> 83 OVR:
It's been a largely underwhelming campaign for Coventry thus far, as they sit in 15th place. A 4-0 win over Plymouth saw Eccles put in a masterclass with two goals and one assist from CDM.
RW: Ryan Williams (Bengaluru) - 63 OVR -> 83 OVR:
We saw the Indian division awarded its first IF recently, and that number now looks set to double after Williams scored twice and assisted another from the wing.
ST: Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (Leuven) - 69 OVR -> 83 OVR:
A second option from Belgium now, with these final two players likely to go numerous ways. Two goals will be enough for a couple of silver strikers, but it's complete guesswork as to who.
ST: Callum Robinson (Cardiff) - 69 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Cardiff have struggled in the Championship so far this season, as they look to be in a relegation battle. Three points away at Watford will be welcomed with open arms, as Robinson's brace helped secure the 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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