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TOTWTOTW 16 Predicted Starting XI
With just the Premier League and Serie A still in action among the top divisions, it comes as no surprise to see twelve of the twenty-three players from those two leagues. Headlining, we have RB Rice, featured IFs for both Malcom and Kalulu, while Watkins helped continue the miraculous Villa run.
GK: Martin Dubravka (Burnley) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
With just the Premier League and Serie A in action from the top five divisions, I would expect a highly dominant TOTW from those two leagues. Only one keeper really stood out, with Dubravka making a total of six saves to secure his clean sheet during Burnley's 0-0 draw with Everton.
RB: Declan Rice (Arsenal) - 87 OVR -> 89 OVR:
With the absence of several defenders, Arsenal turned to Declan Rice to play RB, and the Englishman did so superbly. Sky awarded Rice MOTM with an 8/10 for his display, which looked natural. With limited matches being played, we will likely see a few random inclusions for just MOTMs, and Rice could easily be one, with some big names desperately needed.
CB: Manuel Akanji (Inter Milan) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Another defender that seems probable, despite recording no attacking returns, is Akanji. The Swiss defender received the joint highest match rating, alongside MOTM Martinez, during Inter’s 1-0 away win over Atalanta, keeping them top of the Serie A table.
CB: Pierre Kalulu (Juventus) - 80 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Onto the only defender that I feel is nailed on this week: Kalulu. The Frenchman scored one of Juventus' two goals as they recorded a 2-0 win over Pisa. Kalulu was named MOTM by Gazzetta with a 7/10, and should EA opt for that featured upgrade, he becomes a very usable card.
RM: Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
I was largely unsure whether AFCON matches would count for this week’s side, so for the most part I opted to ignore them for this prediction. Mahrez is the only exception, with his performances across both Algeria matches standing out, scoring twice in the first before then netting the only goal of the game in the second.
CAM: Rayan Cherki (Man City) - 81 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Cherki is quickly proving to be one of City's key assets this season, with the Frenchman’s form being among the best in the division currently. Once again he played a key role in City's victory this weekend, with both a goal and an assist during their 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
CDM: Archie Gray (Tottenham) - 75 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The second featured player of the week goes to Tottenham’s Archie Gray. The 19-year-old is now a regular in their side and continues to prove why there is a lot of hype around him. Gray scored the only goal of the game as Tottenham scraped to a 1-0 win away at Palace.
RW: Malcom (Al-Hilal) - 82 OVR -> 87 OVR:
The Saudi division has often been limited to just one IF per week by EA, but with limited leagues in action this week, I would expect a few within this side. One of these is likely Malcom. The Brazilian scored once and assisted another to claim a perfect 10 match rating as Al-Hilal secured a 3-2 home win.
ST: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
While Aston Villa are still not really classed as title contenders, their performance this season has been remarkable. Now on eleven consecutive wins across all competitions after a 2-1 win away at Chelsea, they have equalled a hundred-year-old record at the club. With Arsenal up next, a win would raise serious questions about just how far they can go. Watkins scored both goals against Chelsea, making his position in this side unquestionable.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund (Napoli) - 76 OVR -> 86 OVR:
There are question marks about the proximity of Ramus' previous IF, but with limited options available, I think EA may be forced into a selection here. The Danish forward continued his good form, scoring both Napoli goals as they recorded a 2-0 away win over Cremonese.
ST: Christopher Nkunku (AC Milan) - 81 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Nkunku has been out of form for a while now, but he scored both his first and second goals of the season for AC Milan this weekend as they recorded a 3-0 home win over Verona. Gazzetta awarded him a 7.5 and MOTM, which in a week like this cements his position in the side.
TOTW 16 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Andrei Girotto (Al-Taawoun) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Al-Taawoun are slowly cementing themselves as serious contenders this year in Saudi, sitting third with an impressive 25 points from their opening ten matches. As for the IF selection, this is a rogue shout, but Girotto was named MOTM during their 2-0 away win over Al-Kholood with a strong defensive display, recording 15 defensive contributions.
LM: Christos Tzolis (Club Brugge) - 80 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Tzolis has been snubbed on numerous occasions this season, with the Greek midfielder regularly playing a key role in Brugge matches. This was another of those performances, with Tzolis recording three assists as Brugge secured an entertaining 5-3 win over Genk. Could this finally be the week Tzolis gets his IF?
LM: Kevin Schade (Brentford) - 78 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Brentford were the latest side to benefit from Bournemouth’s poor form. Schade often puts in miraculous performances randomly, and this was another of those cases. The German scored three of Brentford's four goals, spearheading his side to all three points.
CAM: Nico Paz (Como) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
While it's already confirmed that Nico Paz's stint at Como will be over at the end of the season due to an activated clause by Real Madrid, his performances for the club will be remembered for a long time. His latest performance saw both a goal and an assist as Como secured a 3-0 away win over Lecce.
ST: Kieffer Moore (Wrexham) - 72 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Moore continues to impress for Wrexham, with another two goals this weekend taking his season total to twelve. Wrexham played out an eight-goal thriller on Boxing Day, with Moore scoring twice during a 5-3 win.
ST: Matias Vargas (Al-Fateh) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Another from the Saudi division now, with Vargas. The Argentine scored twice to secure a 2-1 upset win for Al-Fateh, ending Al-Ahli's unbeaten start to the season. Some of the lower-end sides in this division have seen even more reluctance from EA to award IFs, but this week should be different.
ST: Luis Javier Suarez (Sporting) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
One of the only hat tricks this week came in Portugal with Suarez, who continued his goalscoring form for Lisbon. The Colombian has been an IF option on several occasions recently but has just missed the mark. That should change on Wednesday, with his hat trick helping Lisbon record a 4-0 win.
GK: Christian Walton (Ipswich) - 69 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Since Palmer picked up his injury, Walton has made the Ipswich GK position his own with several impressive displays between the sticks. Boxing Day saw another of those performances, with his six saves ensuring a lacklustre Ipswich came away with a point.
CM: Oliver Sorensen (Parma) - 73 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Much like the Premier League, Serie A likely also sees several inclusions for fewer than normally required. That benefits the likes of Sorensen, who scored the only goal of the game, allowing Parma to secure a 1-0 win over struggling Fiorentina.
CDM: Lewis Wing (Reading) - 70 OVR -> 83 OVR:
There were several options from League 1, but much like previous weeks, I would expect just one inclusion from the division. With that in mind, the choice was easy: Wing, who was playing CDM, scored twice and assisted another for Reading as they secured an impressive 4-1 win over Plymouth.
CAM: Benjamin Nygren (Celtic) - 72 OVR -> 83 OVR:
It was a tough start for Nancy at Celtic, who recorded four consecutive losses, but after a 4-2 away win at Livingston, it’s now back-to-back wins for his side, easing the pressure significantly. Nygren played a large part in the latest win, scoring twice from CAM.
LM: Jovane Cabral (Estrela) - 70 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Cabral played a key role for Estrela as they secured a shock 3-2 away win over Famalicao, scoring two of the three goals. It was the midfielder’s first goal contributions of the season, coming at a key time for the away side.
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!