TOTW 29 Predicted Starting XI
This has the potential to be one of the worst TOTWs we have seen in some time, but there are a few gems within, with Beerensteyn's TIF, Dimarco, Olise, and a ST Fernandez all standing out.
GK: Augusto Batalla (Vallecano) - 76 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The goalkeeper choice was not an easy one to make this week, but one that stood out to me was Batalla. The Vallecano stopper made a total of five saves, one of which was a penalty stop, as Vallecano went on to beat Alavés 2-0.
RB: Dilane Bakwa (Strasbourg) - 75 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Bakwa received an 8/10 from L'Équipe this week, one of the highest ratings awarded. They gave him the score for his goal and assist performance during a high-stakes 4-2 victory over Lyon. With L'equipe listing him as a RB in TOTW I would expect EA to follow suit
LB: Felix Agu (Werder Bremen) - 72 OVR -> 87 OVR:
With limited defensive options making their case for an inclusion this week, I think it opens the door for Agu to make his way into the side as a featured upgrade. Agu has a strong base card in a top-five league, so his goal and clean sheet offer EA a route for a very usable featured IF.
LB: Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan) - 84 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Serie A was plagued with low-scoring encounters this week, which, in terms of IFs, was rather underwhelming. One player who stood out, however, was Dimarco. The Italian provided two assists during a 2-1 win, and with EA opting to include his promotional cards so far at LB, I feel they can follow suit here.
LW: Lineth Beerensteyn (Wolfsburg) - 83 OVR -> 89 OVR:
One of the best performances this week came from Beerensteyn. She looks set to receive her third IF of the game after scoring four times during Wolfsburg’s comfortable 5-1 win.
RM: Beth Mead (Arsenal) - 88 OVR -> 89 OVR:
It was a comfortable 4-0 win for Arsenal away at Palace, with Beth Mead standing out, scoring two of those goals. With Mead being a high-rated option, I would be surprised if EA opts to ignore her, especially with the lack of top options this week.
RM: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) - 82 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Bayern Munich really struggled against St. Pauli this week but eventually came out on top as 3-2 winners. Sane scored two of those three goals, but it was Olise who ended up claiming MOTM with two assists. Kicker awarded the Frenchman a 1.5 as he continues to enjoy his debut season in Germany.
RM: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) - 89 OVR -> 90 OVR:
There's no guarantee that EA will include international matches, as this isn't officially an international TOTW. However, with several key fixtures played on Tuesday and Wednesday, I'm willing to take a punt on a few selections. The first is Ødegaard, who provided three assists for Norway in their 4-2 win over Israel.
ST:Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) - 82 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Another player who will likely feature if EA includes these matches is Fernández. Argentina deployed Enzo in a more advanced striker role, and he excelled, providing both a goal and an assist as Argentina secured an impressive 4-1 home win over Brazil.
ST: Maximilian Beier (Dortmund) - 78 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Kicker's Player of the Week went the way of Dortmund's Beier. The German forward scored twice as they secured a 3-1 home win over Mainz. Schlotterbeck also provided two assists from defence, but you just can't overlook the POTW.
ST: Ayoze Perez (Villarreal) - 79 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Villarreal are in a battle with Real Betis for the Europa League position, and with the sides level on points, every match is now crucial. Perez provided both a goal and an assist to guide Villarreal to a 2-1 win over Getafe this weekend.
TOTW 29 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Aldana Cometti (Madrid) - 79 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Defensive options were limited this week, which should make Cometti a guaranteed inclusion. The Argentine provided both a goal and an assist while keeping a clean sheet as Madrid secured a 2-0 win over Betis.
CM: Exequiel Palacios (Leverkusen) - 84 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Although Palacios was not named MOTM, with Garcia receiving that award, I have decided to take a punt on him due to the lack of central candidates this week. He received a respectable 2 rating from Kicker for his two assists during Leverkusen's 3-1 home win over Bochum.
CAM: Joao Mario (Besiktas) - 80 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Besiktas against Fenerbahçe is always one of the talked-about games in Turkey, and this one was full of entertainment. Both sides received a red card, while Besiktas ended up as 2-1 winners. Mario provided the assist on both those goals, making him a strong option for this week’s side.
CAM: Carles Gil (New England) - 79 OVR -> 85 OVR:
MLS is another division that EA seems to like to include on a weekly basis. Carles Gil looks to be the best option this week, with his brace ensuring New England ended their winless streak with a 2-1 win over NYRB.
LW: Mathias Pereira Lage (Brest) - 75 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Ligue 1 saw only a few players receive an 8/10 this week, and I expect all the gold candidates from those to receive an IF on Wednesday. Lage is one of them, after he provided both a goal and an assist to see Brest beat Toulouse 4-2.
ST: Rey Manaj (Sivasspor) - 76 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Manaj looks set to pick up his second IF of the game, having scored twice and assisted another two during Sivasspor's crucial 5-1 win over relegation-doomed Adana.
ST: Ashley Hatch (Washington) - 82 OVR -> 88 OVR:
The NWSL IFs show no signs of slowing down, and with limited leagues in action, I would expect at least one again this week. Hatch looks to be one of the best options after she scored both of Washington's goals during their 2-0 win over Bay FC.
LB: Samuel Iling-Junior (Middlesbrough) - 73 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Without the Premier League in action, I would expect at least one from the ELL's. Iling-Junior stands out to me, having provided both assists for Middlesbrough during their 2-1 win over Oxford.
LM: Zoran Mitrov (Botosani) - 57 OVR -> 85 OVR:
In the past, relegation play-off matches have been very hit and miss as to whether EA opts to include them or not. I just can't ignore a hat trick, though, and therefore Mitrov makes the prediction. His treble helped Botoșani to an entertaining 4-3 win over Constanța.
RM: Feli Delacauw (Hoffenheim) - 70 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Some of the best performances of the week came from the women's side of the game. Potsdam has taken some beatings this season, and this was another, with Hoffenheim putting seven past them without response. Delacauw scored three of those seven, making her position in this side inevitable.
ST: David Toshevski (Klagenfurt) - 61 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Onto another relegation play-off match now, this time in Austria. Toshevski's treble ensured Klagenfurt came out on top as 3-2 winners. We will have more of an indication as to whether these should be included moving forward come Wednesday.
ST: Lorena Azzaro (Strasbourg) - 70 OVR -> 85 OVR:
EA has snubbed two players from the same side numerous times, even when one is from the male and the other from the female side. It's difficult to snub either of the ones I've selected this week, though. Azzaro gets the nod, having scored twice and assisted another two during a 6-0 win over Guingamp.
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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