TOTW 25 Predicted Starting XI
TOTW 25 looks set to be an exciting one with some standout names. Suarez continues to defy his age with a strong performance in MLS, while Karchaoui's international form with France and Araujo's contributions for Barcelona make them standout options. Along with other potential inclusions from clubs like PSG, Barcelona, and Real Betis. It should be a well-rounded lineup with plenty of quality across multiple leagues!
GK: Mark Flekken (Brenford) - 79 OVR -> 87 OVR:
The goalkeeper selection is wide open this week, with no standout candidates apart from Petrovic, who is ineligible due to his Fantasy FC card. My pick is Flekken, who made several key saves to help Brentford secure a point against an in-form Everton.
CB: Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Barcelona went to the top of La Liga this weekend with a comfortable 4-0 win over Sociedad. Araujo stood out in that match with both a goal and an assist, alongside his clean sheet.
CB: Millie Bright (Chelsea) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
I overlooked the women’s international matches last week, which ended up backfiring, so this time I’ve included a couple. The first is Millie Bright, who was named MOTM during England’s impressive 1-0 win over Spain.
LB: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) - 82 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Southampton continue to head towards that dreaded derby record with another convincing loss at the hands of Chelsea this week. Scoring four without response, there are several IF candidates, but Cucurella is my pick, having claimed MOTM with an 8/10.
LM: Robin Hack (Gladbach) - 76 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Hack received one of the highest Kicker ratings this week, with a 1.5, after scoring twice for Gladbach during their 3-0 away win over Heidenheim. With a limited number of potential featured IFs available, it makes sense for Hack to be one of the three this week.
CAM: Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) - 76 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Sarr has been one of the key figures throughout Palace's turnaround, and after that abysmal start to the season, they are one of the most improved sides in the division since. They recorded an impressive 4-1 win over Aston Villa this week, with Sarr scoring two of those, likely resulting in his SIF.
CM: Sakina Karchaoui (PSG) - 87 OVR -> 89 OVR:
While Karchaoui plays down the left side for her club PSG, France opted to play her in a central midfield role this week. She performed well there, providing two assists as France beat Iceland 3-2 to remain top of their group.
RM: Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna) - 81 OVR -> 87 OVR:
One of the best options from Serie A this week was Orsolini. The Italian has been a prominent figure for Bologna for a while now, and his nine goals and three assists this season play a big part in why Bologna are challenging for Europe. He scored twice this week during a 2-1 win.
ST: Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli) - 80 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Toney was always likely to hit the Saudi division running, and that's exactly what has happened. A hat trick this weekend during a 3-2 win took his season total to sixteen. While the Englishman has been snubbed on numerous occasions this season, his treble will surely be enough.
ST: Luis Suarez (Inter Miami) - 82 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Suarez may be 38 years old now, but his quality still shines, especially while playing in the MLS. This weekend saw Inter Miami come away with a comfortable 4-1 win, with Suarez scoring one of those and providing the assist on the other three.
ST: Mika Biereth (Monaco) - 68 OVR -> 87 OVR:
By now, most people will know the name Biereth, but it was only a couple of months ago that he was plying his trade in Austria. Since joining Monaco in January, the goals have been flying in, with him recording yet another hat trick this weekend, which saw him claim POTW in France.
TOTW 25 Predicted Subs & Reserves
LB: Robin Gosens (Fiorentina) - 79 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Having scored the only goal of the game, Gosens looks nailed on for TOTW 25. I was unsure about his featured IF due to the Mastery card he has, but he should make the side one way or another.
LM: Salem Al Dawsari (Al-Hilal) - 80 OVR -> 85 OVR:
While two Saudi IFs seem to be something EA have regularly avoided this year, with two very strong contenders this week, I couldn't ignore either of them. Al-Dawsari gets in from Al-Hilal's midweek fixture, where he scored twice and assisted another.
CM: Patrick Wimmer (Wolfsburg) - 77 OVR -> 85 OVR:
This IF could go two ways: either to Wimmer for his two goals or to Muller for several key saves. With Muller being a base silver card, I am opting for Wimmer. Wolfsburg will inevitably feature one way or another, though.
LW: Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona) - 79 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Barcelona women receive an IF for over half of their matches played. Paralluelo looks set to be the next in the never-ending line, having scored twice and assisted another during their 8-1 away win. There are other potential candidates for this IF, but someone from Barcelona will feature this week.
CM: Desire Doue (PSG) - 76 OVR -> 86 OVR:
There are numerous clubs set to feature from both their male and female sides this week, with PSG being another of those clubs. Doue stood out during a 4-1 win over Lille, scoring once and assisting another to receive an 8/10 from L'Équipe.
CAM:Isco (Real Betis) - 82 OVR -> 86 OVR:
My record with Real Betis inclusions has not been ideal, but Isco looks nailed on this week. Scoring once and assisting another, Betis continued their impressive run of form to defeat Real Madrid 2-1, showing his former club what they failed to utilise.
ST: Alexandre Lacazette(Lyon) - 82 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Strikers were unusually few and far between this week, making the bench difficult to fill. Lacazette scored twice but failed to make L'equipe's TOTW, which is often a telling sign. He was named MOTM with a respectable 7, however, so with a lack of options, I can still see him sneaking onto the bench.
CB: Dan Casey (Motherwell) - 67 OVR -> 85 OVR:
As is often the case, we start the reserves with a defensive option who scored twice. Casey netted both of Motherwell's goals during their midweek match, leading them to a 2-1 win over Dundee.
LM: Oliver Antman (GA Eagles) - 69 OVR -> 85 OVR:
VI ratings are usually what EA end up relying on here, so while Antman, on paper, just has two goals—which is often not enough for a silver option outside the top five—a 8.5 VI rating really stands out. This is also helped by the fact that it comes during an impressive 3-2 win over PSV.
CM: Judith Coquet (Montpellier) - 63 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Montpellier maintain an outside chance of scraping into the playoffs, but they can't afford to drop more points. This week, they recorded a 4-2 win away to Reims, with central midfielder Coquet scoring three of those four goals.
CM: Alex Sala (Cordoba) - 64 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The second tier of Spain seems to be a popular choice with EA recently, and another candidate stands out this week with Alex Sala. The Spaniard scored twice and assisted another as Córdoba went on to record a comfortable 5-0 win.
ST: Tai Baribo (Philadelphia) - 70 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Ending the week in familiar fashion, with a hat trick, Philadelphia recorded a 4-1 win over Cincinnati, with Baribo scoring three of those four goals.
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!
Latest TOTWs