TOTW 19 Predicted Starting XI
We head back to normality with all the top divisions now back in action. As a result, we have a much more desirable TOTW than we have seen in previous weeks, with several players worth packing. Headlining, we have the likes of Diallo, Wirtz, Isak, and Foden.
GK: Benjamin Lecomte (Montpellier) - 77 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With many divisions playing twice, Ligue 1 was significantly harder to feature within this side. Lecomte was the one player who stood out after he claimed the highest match rating of the week for his ten saves during Montpellier's 2-1 win over Monaco.
LB: Joakim Maehle (Wolfsburg) - 78 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Maehle received a huge featured upgrade for his original IF, and after scoring once and assisting another this week, the Danish defender looks set to receive another upgrade. Don't sleep on this card, he could be extremely good.
CB: Pierre Kalulu (Juventus) - 78 OVR -> 85 OVR:
With Kalulu's IF still setting you back 30k despite being an 82-rated CB, this IF could be an in-demand one. Kalulu scored during Juventus's 1-1 away draw with Atalanta, with Gazzetta going on to award him MOTM with a 7.5.
RB: Amad Diallo (Manchester United) - 75 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Diallo continues to impress in an underwhelming United side. Struggling against bottom-of-the-table Southampton, United needed something from someone to avoid embarrassment. What they got was a ten-minute hat-trick from Diallo to secure a 3-1 win.
RM: Phil Foden (Manchester City) - 88 OVR -> 89 OVR:
Foden started the season completely subpar, but his recent outings have helped City turn their poor run around. Scoring twice during midweek and then twice again at the weekend, his position in this side is an easy decision to make.
CAM: Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen) - 88 OVR -> 90 OVR:
A perfect 1-match rating was awarded to Wirtz for his performance in Leverkusen's 3-1 win over Gladbach. The German scored twice and assisted another, making him likely to pick up his SIF and sixth promotion card of the game.
CAM: Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth) - 77 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Kluivert scored his second hat-trick of the season, this time from open play, to help Bournemouth record a seriously impressive 4-1 win over the in-form Newcastle. Bournemouth seem to be in serious contention for European places.
RM: Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich) - 85 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With Goretzka likely ruled out due to promotional proximity, it leaves the door open for Sané, who stood out during their midweek fixture with Hoffenheim. Scoring twice, the German was highly influential during the 5-0 victory.
CAM: Ella Toone (Manchester United) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Not only did this Manchester Derby have bragging rights for head-to-head, but it also determined who remains higher in the table. United recorded a 4-2 away win, with Toone scoring three of those four.
ST: Alexander Isak (Newcastle) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Isak is one of the most in-form strikers in Europe right now. The Swede continued his goalscoring streak with two goals and an assist over struggling Wolves. This does pose some risk with Isak's other promotion inclusions, but on performance alone, he deserves to be here.
ST: Darwin Nunez (Liverpool) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Liverpool looked set to drop points to Brentford, with the scores still deadlocked heading into injury time. Nunez had other ideas, though, scoring two late goals to secure Liverpool all three points.
TOTW 19 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Matija Nastasic (Leganes) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
After beating Barcelona last month, Leganés turned up again for the big matches. Nastasić scored the only goal of the game as they went on to record a 1-0 win over league leaders Atlético.
CDM: Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge) - 80 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Vanaken occupied a more defensive-minded role on paper than he usually does, playing in a CDM role. That didn’t stop the Belgian from being involved offensively, though, with a goal and two assists during a 4-2 win.
CM: Leandro Barreiro (Benfica) - 76 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Prior to this week, Barreiro had just one assist from thirteen matches. He went on to have the game of his life, however, scoring three times from the centre of the park during Benfica's 4-0 win.
RM: Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna) - 81 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Orsolini was named Player of the Week in Italy with an 8/10 from Gazzetta. It came after the winger provided both a goal and an assist during Bologna's 3-1 win. Competition was fierce for places, but Serie A will gain a couple of IFs, and Orsolini seems to be the best candidate.
LM: Kessya Bussy (Paris) - 80 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Onto the first of two players from Arkema now, both of whom managed hat-tricks. Bussy's came during a 6-0 win for Paris, in which she scored the opening three.
ST: Louis Batcheba (Fleury) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The second, also from a 6-0 win, is Batcheba, who scored three during Fleury's 6-0 win over St. Étienne.
ST: Marcos Leonard (Al-Hilal) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The biggest victory of the week came with Al-Hilal recording a 9-0 win. Leonardo scored three in that match and leads the charge for the Saudi IF as a result. There were lots of Saudi candidates, but with just one making it last week, I have opted for the same route here.
GK: James Trafford (Burnley) - 73 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The career trajectory of Trafford has not played out as anticipated during his early years as a footballer, but he still shows glimpses of brilliance. The Englishman saved two penalties against Sunderland, with Burnley just about hanging on to a 0-0 draw.
RM: Filip Krastev (Zwolle) - 68 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The reserves section consists largely of players you simply can’t ignore this week. Krastev could be classed as the exception, but with two goals and an assist as Zwolle upset PSV, I think his chances are still very high.
ST: Martijn Kaars (Magdeburg) - 66 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Ending the prediction, we have a run of three hat-tricks. First up, we head to the second division of Germany, where Kaars scored three against Elversberg during a 5-2 win.
ST: Myron Boadu (Bochum) - 72 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Moving up a division to the Bundesliga now, and although Bochum only managed a point, it was Boadu's magic that allowed them to do so, scoring all three of their goals during a 3-3 draw.
ST: Kike Garcia (Aalves) - 74 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Concluding, we head to La Liga, with García being their second inclusion of the week. The veteran forward scored all three of Alavés's goals as they managed a 3-1 away win over Real Betis.
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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