TOTW 7 Predicted Starting XI
After what was an extremely underwhelming TOTW 6, hopefully TOTW 7 is set to offer more when it comes to in-demand cards. Whether that’s Bellingham's El Clasico display, Putellas' double in the Uefa Nations League, or a brace from defence for Micky Van de Ven.
GK: Kamil Grabara (Wolfsburg) - 79 OVR -> 82 OVR:
While goalkeepers have been difficult to select this year there were only a couple which stood out to me this week, Grabara being one of them. The Polish keeper couldn’t have done much more to keep his clean sheet intact, having saved a penalty alongside seven other saves during Wolfsburg's 1-0 away win over Hamburg.
RB: Matty Cash (Aston Villa) - 79 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Manchester City looked like strong title contenders this season, especially with Haaland in such goalscoring form. Aston Villa, who have struggled for large parts of the season, dealt a massive blow to those chances this week. Matty Cash ended up scoring the only goal of the game as Villa secured all three points over Man City.
CB: Micky Van de Ven (Tottenham) - 82 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Onto the first of several high-demand options this week: Van de Ven. Tottenham travelled to an unbeaten (at home) Everton this week, but the challenge was completed with ease. VDV ended up scoring twice as Spurs went on to record a 3-0 away win.
LB: Katie McCabe (Arsenal) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
The first of several players coming from women’s international fixtures this week is McCabe. She often excels on the international stage, with her performances for Ireland regularly standing out. This was no different, with the defender scoring twice as they went on to beat Belgium 4-2.
LW: Pernille Harder (Munich) - 86 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Denmark practically confirmed their progression from their two-legged Nations League encounter with Finland during the first leg. A 6-1 away win, led by Harder's two goals and one assist, gives Denmark a lead that would take something unthinkable to throw away.
CM: Casemiro (Man United) - 80 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Amorim's United finally look to be in a place where United fans can start to hope again. A 4-2 win over Brighton this weekend takes them into the top four, having three consecutive wins to their name. Mbeumo's brace saw him claim MOTM, but with Mbeumo featuring in Ultimate Scream, we have to look elsewhere. Casemiro is the next best option after scoring once and assisting another.
CM: Zambo Anguissa (Napoli) - 82 OVR -> 84 OVR:
There were only a couple of options from Serie A this week, and with a couple being defenders with MOTMs in a week featuring numerous superb defensive displays, I can't justify including one of those. That leaves us with Anguissa, who was named MOTM for his goal during Napoli's hard-fought 3-1 home win over Inter.
RM: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) - 90 OVR -> 91 OVR:
The El Clásico will almost always result in an IF, and with Real Madrid securing a 2-1 home win, I would expect this one to be the same. The IF is not as obvious as it may seem, with Bellingham's match rating being quite poor in truth. With a goal and an assist to his name, I just can't see it being anyone else though.
CM: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona) - 91 OVR -> 92 OVR:
Another big name now is Putellas. The Spanish midfielder scored twice during Spain's impressive 4-0 win over Sweden. With this being a UEFA Nations League semi-final, I fully expect an IF from the match, and Putellas makes that an easy decision.
ST: Jonathan Burkardt (Frankfurt) - 82 OVR -> 84 OVR:
The Bundesliga player of the week went to Burkardt. The German striker is now the second-highest goalscorer in the Bundesliga this season as Frankfurt continue to excel in this position. His brace allowed them to secure a 2-0 home win over St. Pauli.
ST: Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica) - 82 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Pavlidis continues to score for fun in a Benfica shirt. The Greek managed nineteen league goals last season and is already on eight from his first nine this season. Pavlidis has been knocking on the door for an IF for a while now, but after he managed a hat trick this week, TOTW 7 will inevitably be the week EA decide to select him.
TOTW 7 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Moussa Niakhate (Lyon) - 77 OVR -> 81 OVR:
There were a couple of defensive options from Ligue 1 this week, one of which was Naikhate. The Senegalese defender provided an assist during Lyon's 2-1 home win over Strasbourg, which saw him receive the joint highest match rating of the week from L'Équipe with an 8/10.
CB: Edmond Tapsoba (Leverkusen) - 81 OVR -> 84 OVR:
There were so many defensive options this week that I had to include an extra one. Tapsoba also sneaks into the prediction after scoring one of Leverkusen's two goals as they beat Freiburg 2-0. The defender was named MOTM with a 2-match rating from Kicker.
RM: Felix Correia (Lille) - 75 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Lille were one of the standout sides this week, recording a 6-1 win over Metz. From that match, Correia especially stood out, scoring twice and assisting another. An easy inclusion into TOTW 7.
RW: Yan Diomande (Leipzig) - 66 OVR -> 80 OVR:
Talking of dominant displays, Leipzig were another side in cruise control this week, with the German outlet recording a 6-0 win away at Augsburg. Young talent Diomande excelled, with his goal and two assists securing him an impressive 1.5 from Kicker.
CAM: Ismael Saibari (PSV) - 79 OVR -> 82 OVR:
A big match in the Eredivisie title race saw PSV travel to Feyenoord. A Saibari hat trick ended up deciding the game, with the visitors coming away with a 3-2 win, Feyenoord's first loss of the season.
RW: Jutgla (Celta Vigo) - 75 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Jutgla had struggled to get going for his new club, Celta Vigo, after impressing in the Belgian Pro League last season, with no goals or assists from his opening seven games. The Spaniard recorded a double this weekend, however, with Celta Vigo winning 3-2 away at Osasuna.
ST: Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad) - 82 OVR -> 84 OVR:
We got hit last week with EA opting to include numerous Cornerstone players in TOTW. I won't be making the same mistake here, thus including Oyarzabal, who scored both of Sociedad's goals during their 2-1 home win over Sevilla.
CB: Siebe Van der Heyden (Gent) - 73 OVR -> 80 OVR:
Another position that has been largely difficult to predict has been the reserve defender. EA are going for random divisions regardless of what happens. Heyden is the player who deserves to be selected after the Belgian scored twice during Gent's 4-0 home win over Liège.
CM: Arthur Atta (Udinese) - 69 OVR -> 80 OVR:
I briefly mentioned the lack of Serie A options already, but that should work in Atta's favour this week. The French midfielder provided two assists for Udinese as they recorded a 3-2 home win over Lecce.
CM: Elvis Saric (Hainiu) - 71 OVR -> 80 OVR:
With the Chinese league already receiving an IF earlier this year, we know it’s an option for EA to include them. This makes Saric one of the standout performers this week after the Bosnian scored three and assisted another from CM during a 4-2 win.
CM: Alex Badolato (Newcastle Jets) - 58 OVR -> 80 OVR:
A couple of hat tricks to end the week now, the first being Badolato. Playing in the A-League, the Australian was pivotal for Newcastle Jets during their 5-2 home win over Melbourne Victory.
ST: Emre Tezgel (Crewe) - 62 OVR -> 80 OVR:
We head over to League Two for the final player this week, from which Tezgel scored all three Crewe goals during their closely contested 3-2 win over Grimsby.
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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