TOTW 28 Predicted Starting XI
The International break sees a star-studded lineup with the likes of Oblak, Lewis-Skelly, Kvaratskhelia, Raphinha, and Lukaku all looking likely to feature in TOTW 28. With no less than 10 SIFs, there are plenty of viable players to use.
GK: Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) - 88 OVR -> 89 OVR:
International weeks are usually tricky when it comes to selecting the goalkeeper, but this week was different with Oblak standing out for Slovenia during their playoff matches with Slovakia. Oblak made six saves in total during the second leg, keeping a clean sheet as Slovenia progressed in extra time.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal) - 58 OVR -> 88 OVR:
The defenders were by far the most competitive section this week, with numerous standout performances for the limited positions they will likely receive. Lewis-Skelly continued his rise, marking his international debut with a goal as England recorded a routine 2-0 win against Albania.
CB: Ben Davies (Tottenham) - 76 OVR -> 87 OVR:
There were limited opportunities for featured options this week, with most of the standout players already receiving an IF earlier in the game. Davies is one who stands out as a Premier League option. He gets the inclusion after providing both a goal and an assist during a 3-1 Wales win over Kazakhstan.
RB: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) - 86 OVR -> 88 OVR:
What a week it's been for Kimmich. The German could have featured from either of their matches against Italy, with two assists in the first fixture before then managing a goal and two assists in the second, all while playing from right-back.
LM: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG) - 85 OVR -> 88 OVR:
One of the most convincing legs this week came with Georgia beating Armenia 9-1 on aggregate. Striker Mikautadze excelled, but with an inclusion in TOTW 27, he is unable to receive an IF. I don't think Georgia will be ignored, though, thus leaving the door open for Kvaratskhelia, who scored once and assisted another during a 6-1 win.
CAM: Caroline Weir (Real Madrid) - 84 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Real Madrid handed Barcelona only their second loss of the season, keeping their slim title chances alive. A Weir brace late on ensured Real Madrid came away with a 3-1 win, a result which, after eighteen consecutive losses to their rivals, is quite the achievement.
CAM: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) - 82 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Having fallen 2-0 to Croatia during the first leg of their quarter-final match, France needed a strong performance in the second leg. A goal and assist from Olise helped reverse the first-leg scoreline, before France went on to secure the victory in a penalty shootout.
LM: Raphinha (Barcelona) - 84 OVR -> 89 OVR:
Yet another in-form candidate could be on the way for Raphinha on Wednesday after the Brazilian provided both a goal and an assist to help Brazil record a hard-fought 2-1 win over Colombia.
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Al Qadisiyah) - 82 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Gabon remain top of their qualification group with a 2-1 win over Kenya. Aubameyang has played a key role in this Gabon side for quite some time now, and it was once again his goals that made the difference.
ST: Romelu Lukaku (Napoli) - 82 OVR -> 88 OVR:
With Ukraine upsetting Belgium during their first leg of this playoff, it was pivotal that Belgium played their best in the second leg. That's exactly what happened, with a Lukaku brace leading them to a 3-0 win, ensuring they progressed on aggregate.
ST: Patrik Schick (Leverkusen) - 82 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Schick spared Czechia's blushes with a late goal, his second of the game, helping secure a 2-1 win over the Faroe Islands. With Group B also containing Croatia and Montenegro, dropping points to the Faroe Islands could have been detrimental to their qualification hopes, making Schick's late heroics even more crucial for Czechia.
TOTW 28 Predicted Subs & Reserves
RB: Julian Ryerson (Dortmund) - 79 OVR -> 85 OVR:
While there were several defenders with a goal and a clean sheet this week, I can't justify any of them over the performances we've seen from other candidates. Ryerson is the final gold defender, and once again, it’s due to his multiple goal contributions. His goal and assist helped Norway secure a comfortable 5-0 away win over Moldova.
CM: Trincao (Sporting Lisbon) - 78 OVR -> 87 OVR:
I'm not certain about the positioning for Trincao, but after coming off the bench to score twice, helping Portugal progress over Denmark, I would expect the Lisbon midfielder to receive his third IF of the game on Wednesday. What a card that looks to be!
LM: Aida Esteve (Valencia) - 78 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Valencia looked destined for relegation, having won just one match from their opening 21 matches. However, a 4-1 win over Madrid this weekend means they have now recorded back-to-back wins, giving them some belief heading into the final games of the campaign. Esteve scored once and assisted another two during the 4-1 win.
LW: Gia Corley (San Diego) - 77 OVR -> 87 OVR:
EA doubled down on their stance with the NWSL last week, so I would expect at least one more this week. Options were limited, however, so I have only included Corley. The German winger scored once and assisted another as San Diego beat Utah 3-2.
LW: Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg) - 75 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Algeria should walk their World Cup qualification group, and so far, it looks as though they will top it with ease. Their latest three points came via a 3-1 away win over Botswana. Amoura scored two of those three, and with limited featured candidates, I would expect him to also receive that to.
ST: Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad) - 82 OVR -> 86 OVR:
I would expect all four sides that progressed from the quarter-finals to receive an IF this week. Spain's is far from an easy selection, but with Oyarzabal scoring twice during the second-leg 3-3 draw with the Netherlands, he looks to be the best option for them.
ST: Vedat Muriqi (Mallorca) - 80 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The only hat trick of the week came during Kosovo's 3-1 win over Iceland. Not the most exciting of options, but it's a player who will inevitably feature in EA's side come Wednesday.
LB: Sara Holmgaard (Everton) - 67 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The offensive performances from defenders didn’t stop with the gold options. Holmgaard recorded a goal and two assists for Everton as they beat Crystal Palace 3-0. An easy selection for the WSL this week.
CM: Jackson Irvine (Australia) - 74 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Australia often features in International TOTWs, given their significant strength over most other sides in their qualification process. An Irvine brace helped lead them to a 5-1 win against Indonesia this week.
CM: Rayan Raveloson (Young Boys) - 71 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Onto a bit of a rogue inclusion now, but with Raveloson playing his domestic football for Young Boys, I see no reason why he can't be included. Scoring a brace, he led his nation, Madagascar, to a 4-1 win over Central African Republic as they continue to impress during their World Cup qualification process.
CAM: Martin Ojeda (Orlando) - 72 OVR -> 85 OVR:
There were several MLS candidates this week, but I have taken the punt on Ojeda. The Argentine scored once and assisted another two as Orlando went on to win 4-1.
ST: Raul Jimenez (Fulham) - 74 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Jimenez was crucial in both Mexico's games this week. First, scoring twice during their 2-0 win over Canada, before then scoring twice again as they won 2-1 away at Panama. I would be shocked if EA doesn't include the Fulham striker this week.
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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