TOTW 27 Predicted Starting XI
TOTW 27 brings a total of eight players potentially receiving their SIF, with Osimhen and Elanga being the standout cards from those. Outside of the SIFs, we have inclusions for both Fernandes and Gulácsi for their phenomenal displays.
GK: Peter Gulacsi (Leipzig) - 82 OVR -> 86 OVR:
This is one of the easiest goalkeeping selections I will have to make all year. Not only was there only one real candidate for the position, but Gulácsi was simply phenomenal. Making a total of nine saves and saving 2.7 expected goals, Gulácsi was unbeatable as Leipzig recorded a 2-0 win over Dortmund.
RB: Ellie Carpenter (Lyon) - 83 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Lyon ran riot while hosting Reims this weekend, recording an 8-1 home win. Several Lyon players stood out, but with a lack of defensive options, it makes sense to opt for Carpenter, who scored two of those eight goals.
CB: Yeray (Athletic Club) - 81 OVR -> 87 OVR:
The first of three featured players this week is Yeray. The Spaniard scored the only goal of the game as Athletic Club recorded a 1-0 away win over Sevilla. I already mentioned the lack of defensive options this week, so this performance from a top-five league is seemingly a no-brainer.
CB: Chris Smalling (Al-Fayha) - 82 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Al-Fayha continue to struggle towards the bottom of the Saudi division, but with players like Smalling in their ranks, they always have the opportunity to pick up points. Smalling scored one of their two goals this weekend as they secured a 2-0 win over Al-Ettifaq.
LM: Dan Ndoye (Bologna) - 75 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Bologna made it four consecutive wins as they continue their push towards Champions League football next season. It came via an extremely impressive 5-0 win over Lazio. An IF is inevitable from this match, and although it's not a clear-cut decision, Ndoye, with a goal and an assist to claim MOTM, has to be high in the pecking order.
CM: Fabian Ruiz (PSG) - 82 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Ligue 1 was rather underwhelming this week, with limited options for an IF. One player who did stand out, however, was Fabian Ruiz. The Spaniard provided two assists as PSG went on to record a 3-1 win over Marseille, a performance that saw Ruiz claim POTW.
CM: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
While the Red Devils have seriously struggled this season, Fernandes has been an ever-present figure when they have recorded wins. This week was no different, with the Portuguese midfielder playing a part in all three of their goals—scoring one himself and providing two assists. United went on to comfortably beat Leicester 3-0.
RM: Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest) - 76 OVR -> 87 OVR:
A seven-minute flurry of goals, which saw Forest go into halftime 3-0 up, ended up deciding the match as they recorded a 4-2 win over practically relegated Ipswich Town. It was the first time Elanga had scored a brace in his Premier League career. A performance that takes yet another step towards top-four confirmation for Nuno's Forest.
ST: Barbra Banda (Orlando City) - 77 OVR -> 87 OVR:
The return of the NWSL saw a significant number of 1-1 draws. One match that didn't end that way was Orlando's 6-0 win over Chicago. The NWSL is likely to receive an IF based on EA's history from the division's previous campaign. Banda looks to be a strong contender after she scored twice and assisted another during the win.
ST: Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) - 87 OVR -> 89 OVR:
Galatasaray took another step towards lifting the title this weekend with a 4-0 home win over Antalyaspor. Osimhen scored three of those four goals, making him highly likely for a SIF on Wednesday.
ST: Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich) - 84 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Munich's match with Wolfsburg held huge implications for the title race in Germany, with the three-horse race likely coming down to the head-to-heads between the teams. It was Munich who came out on top, putting them in pole position, after beating Wolfsburg 3-1. Harder was involved in all three goals, scoring twice and assisting the other.
TOTW 27 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Marcos Alonso (Celta Vigo) - 77 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Alonso has been snubbed a few times already this season, so his IF is well overdue. The Spaniard scored the only goal of the game this weekend, allowing Vigo to beat Valladolid 1-0 away from home. While his goal came from the penalty spot, with limited defensive competition, I feel his time is this week.
CM: Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan) - 82 OVR -> 87 OVR:
A match overshadowed by a late Dele Alli red card on his return to football saw Reijnders score once and assist another to secure an important 2-1 win over Como. The Dutchman was named MOTM with a 7.5 rating from Gazzetta.
LW: Igor Paixao (Feyenoord) - 77 OVR -> 87 OVR:
The easiest selection of the week was Paixão from Feyenoord's 6-2 win over Twente. The Brazilian scored three and assisted another two from left wing, a performance which saw VI award the winger with a 9/10, a rating VI rarely hands out.
CAM: Alassane Plea (Gladbach) - 77 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Plea was named POTW in Germany for his performance against Werder Bremen, which, considering how impressive Gulácsi was, is quite something. The Frenchman scored three and assisted another from CAM during the 4-2 away win.
CAM: Ferran Torres (Barcelona) - 80 OVR -> 85 OVR:
There were several matches that held great significance for their respective title races, and this was one of them. Barcelona scored three late goals to turn around their match with Atlético Madrid, securing a 4-2 win. Torres came off the bench to score two of those four goals.
ST: Jorgen Strand Larsen (Wolves) - 75 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Wolves had a great opportunity to all but secure their position in the Premier League next season, and it’s an opportunity they took, beating Southampton to go nine points clear of the drop. Strand Larsen scored both their goals, making his position in TOTW 27 look likely.
ST: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Shabab) - 78 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Before the influx of high-profile names, Hamdallah scored a lot of goals in the Saudi division, breaking several records. While his numbers are not remotely close to what they once were, he still knows how to find the net. He scored another hat trick this weekend, which should result in his SIF.
RB: Jordan McGhee (Dundee FC) - 65 OVR -> 85 OVR:
There were a couple of rivalry matches happening in Scotland this week, and it's very likely we will see at least one IF from the division as a result. McGhee scored twice from right-back as Dundee FC recorded a 4-2 win over Dundee United.
RM: Terrats (Getafe) - 75 OVR -> 85 OVR:
With four reserve options standing out, I’m happy to take another gold option to increase the overall correct probability. Getafe backed up their impressive win last week with a 2-1 away win over Osasuna. Terrats scored both of those goals, making his position in the side likely.
RM: Jovon Makama (Lincoln) - 57 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The final three positions pick themselves really. The first is Makama, after he scored three and assisted another from right-midfield during Lincoln's 5-0 home win over Bristol Rovers.
RM: Aaron Zehnter (Paderborn) - 65 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The race for promotion continues to heat up with 3rd playing 4th this weekend. It was Paderborn who came out on top in an eight-goal thriller, beating Kaiserslautern 5-3. Zehnter scored twice and assisted another two, earning him the POTW award.
ST: Haji Wright (Coventry) - 73 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Coventry made it seven wins from their last eight, which has seen their playoff chances drastically improve. Their latest three points came via a 3-0 win over Sunderland, with Haji Wright scoring all three 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!
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