TOTW 30 Predicted Starting XI
With PSG lifting their domestic title this weekend, Doué leads the way with his TIF in an underwhelming TOTW 30. Joining him are Bacha, featured IFs for Johnson and Sarabia, while an 88-rated Polish league ST also makes an appearance.
GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
It's more points dropped for Real Madrid, who look to be gifting the title to Barcelona at this point. The gap at the top now sits at four points, with Barcelona only managing a point as well. Mamardashvili caused Madrid nightmares, making eight saves in total, including saving Vini Jr's effort from 12 yards.
LB: Selma Bacha (Lyon) - 86 OVR -> 88 OVR:
With the Nations League being played this week on the women's side of the game, I would expect to see several inclusions from those fixtures. One player who stands out is Bacha, after she scored one of France's two goals during their 2-0 win over Switzerland.
CB: Leandro Cabrera (Espanyol) - 74 OVR -> 87 OVR:
It was a remarkable result for Espanyol this weekend, winning 4-0 away at Vallecano. This result will surely give them belief in their ongoing relegation battle. Cabrera scored one of those four goals, going on to be named Man of the Match.
RB: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea) - 85 OVR -> 88 OVR:
By far the easiest inclusion from these Nations League matches was Lucy Bronze. The English right-back recorded both a goal and an assist during England's comfortable 5-0 win over Belgium. A result which sees them sit top of a very competitive group that also includes both Spain and Portugal.
LW:Desire Doue (PSG) - 76 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Doué has broken onto the scene for PSG superbly this season. They recorded a 1-0 win over Angers this week, with Doué scoring the only goal of the game. It was a result that confirmed the title for PSG, and historically, that has seen EA award an in-form to the club. Doué is the only option should that happen this week.
CM: Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen) - 75 OVR -> 87 OVR:
The Bundesliga once again offered minimal options, so I can see one of the featured spots going to Schmid. The Austrian was involved in both of Bremen's goals during their 2-0 triumph. With only two clear candidates from the Bundesliga, I would expect to see both come Wednesday.
CAM: Pablo Sarabia (Wolves) - 77 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Considering their current form, Wolves would probably have been safe even if they had lost to Ipswich, but Sarabia led a comeback with both a goal and an assist to secure a 2-1 win, putting any doubt about the relegation battle to bed in the process.
CAM: Anderson Talisca (Fenerbache) - 82 OVR -> 87 OVR:
There were a lot of hat-tricks this week, meaning the side largely completed itself. The first of those players is Talisca, who helped Fenerbahçe record a 4-1 win. The Brazilian came off the bench, and I believe he played just behind the striker, but I could be wrong about that. He will feature in TOTW 30 regardless of his position, though.
RM: Brennan Johnson (Tottenham) - 78 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Tottenham recorded a 3-1 win over Southampton on Sunday, a result that secures Southampton's relegation, making them the earliest side to be relegated in Premier League history. Johnson scored the first two goals, alongside winning the penalty which Tel dispatched. He claimed a 9/10 from Sky, which was the joint highest this week.
ST: Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica) - 80 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Considering the start that Sporting Lisbon made this season, it's crazy to think that Benfica will now be favourites to lift the title. A dominant 4-1 win over Porto saw Pavlidis excel, scoring three times as Benfica beat their rivals, Porto.
ST: Efthymios Koulouris (Pogon) - 69 OVR -> 88 OVR:
As we enter the final stages of this year's game, we were always likely to see some obscure additions to TOTW. Koulouris is likely this year's most random card, with an 88-rated option likely just around the corner. The Greek striker scored three times as Pogon secured a 4-0 win, likely resulting in his TIF.
TOTW 30 Predicted Subs & Reserves
GK: Anthony Lopes (Nantes) - 79 OVR -> 85 OVR:
While two goalkeepers is something EA rarely opts for this year, it's not an impossible situation. There are two very strong goalkeeping options, with the second being Lopes from Nantes. He had eight saves in total as Nantes secured a 2-1 win away at Nice. L'Équipe awarded him the highest rating of the week with an 8/10.
CB: Yerry Mina (Cagliari) - 76 OVR -> 85 OVR:
I really struggled to even include one player from Serie A this week, with most matches ending in low-scoring draws. Mina was named MOTM from Cagliari's 0-0 draw with Empoli, and while this is a punt, Serie A will inevitably be included in TOTW somehow, so EA will have the same dilemma.
LW: Marin Jakolis (Macarthur) - 66 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Since the resumption of the A-League, the division has received several IFs. Another now looks to be on the way, with Jakolis likely picking up his second of the campaign. Scoring three times from LW, Jakolis led Macarthur to a 5-1 away win over Brisbane.
RM: Terrats (Getafe) - 75 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Terrats was snubbed once before after scoring two goals, but he is once again in line for his IF after scoring another two, this time during a 4-0 away win over Valladolid. Once again, he is a fringe option, but one that could easily be included.
LM: Jean-Luc Dompe (Hamburg) - 72 OVR -> 87 OVR:
A 3-0 win over Nürnberg allowed Hamburg to remain at the top of the second division in Germany. Dompé was superb throughout the match, scoring twice and assisting the other. With a lack of options from the Bundesliga this week, looking at the lower divisions of Germany could be a beneficial route.
ST: Ermedin Demirovic (Stuttgart) - 79 OVR -> 85 OVR:
From this point onwards the side practically selects itself. Starting with Demirovic who scored three times during Stuttgart's 4-0 win over Bochum. Demirovic went on to be named POTW in Germany which is always a great indicator for inclusion.
ST: Joel Pohjanpalo (Palermo) - 75 OVR -> 85 OVR:
An eight-goal thriller resulted in league leaders Sassuolo falling short 5-3 to Palermo. Pohjanpalo excelled throughout the match, scoring three times and also providing an assist.
LM: Abraham Odoh (Peterborough) - 64 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Peterborough ended up losing 4-0 to rivals Northampton this weekend, but this is not why Odoh ends up in the side. During their midweek fixture with Crawley, they came away as 4-3 winners. Odoh scored three of those four.
CAM: Alfie May (Birmingham) - 70 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Birmingham continue to dominate League 1, which is to be expected considering both the wage budget and transfer fees paid in comparison to the rest of the division. A 6-2 home win over Barnsley saw Alfie May score twice and assist another two.
ST: Adama Bojang (Grasshoppers) - 64 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Grasshoppers have struggled this season, so a match against 4th-placed Luzern was likely to be difficult. A Bojang treble helped lead them to an impressive 3-1 home win, though.
ST: Pablo Felipe (Gil Vicente) - 67 OVR -> 85 OVR:
While the Portuguese league is often limited to one inclusion a week, I can't ignore either option here. Felipe, like Pavlidis, also scored a hat-trick. Gil Vicente recorded a 3-1 away win over Boavista, with Felipe scoring all three.
ST: Tamara Moravkova (Slavia Praha) - 65 OVR -> 85 OVR:
While it's unclear if EA are even going to consider Moravková due to her league, I simply can't ignore this performance. The Slovakian scored four times during Slovakia's Nations League match with Gibraltar as they ran out 8-0 winners.
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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