We've been long overdue for a strong TOTW, but unfortunately, this week’s lineup falls short. However, there are still some usable options available, with Coman, Batlle, Gyökeres, and Kundananji standing out
TOTW 8 Predicted Starting XI
GK: Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton) - 81 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Southampton recorded their first win of the season with a dramatic final ten minutes against Everton. Ramsdale made several important stops throughout, with a Michael Keane header standing out. EA rarely opt for PL keepers, but with it being a first win for Southampton, I feel Ramsdale stands a chance.
LB: Ona Batlle (Barcelona) - 85 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The Barcelona IFs continue to flow, with another two potentially coming this week, the first of which is Batlle. Barcelona recorded a 4-0 home win, with the Spaniard scoring one of those four.
LB: Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon) - 78 OVR -> 82 OVR:
A defender without a clean sheet and no attacking returns is an unusual occurrence, but it could easily become a reality with Tagliafico. The Argentine was named MOTM with an impressive 8 from L'Équipe. With the division offering very little, I would be surprised if he misses out
RB: Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest) - 75 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Aina capped off a superb display from Forest with a long-range strike late on. It was the third of Forest's goals as their 3-0 win over West Ham takes them up to third in the table! Remarkable.
LM: Kingsley Coman (Munich) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With Kane being unable to receive an IF this week, it leaves the door open for Coman. Likely the most popular IF of the week, with that playstyle plus an overall meta player, the boost will be a welcoming one. The Frenchman scored once and assisted another during Munich's 3-0 win.
CM: Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy) - 78 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Will it be the week that EA finally bites the bullet and includes a SIF? It is usually around this time that it occurs, and with Puig continuously knocking on the door, it’s very likely to be the Spaniard. Another two goals this week see back-to-back predictions for it.
CAM: Dani Olmo (Barcelona) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The second Barcelona player making the side is Olmo, with the men's team also dominating their respective division. They made it eleven wins from twelve, with Olmo's brace helping secure a 3-1 win at home against Espanyol.
LM: Racheal Kundananji (Bay FC) - 83 OVR -> 85 OVR:
NWSL continues to be a prominent addition to TOTW, with EA often forcing an inclusion. This week is a deserved one, though, with Kundananji scoring a brace to help Bay FC to a 3-2 away win. A very usable IF.
ST: Hugo Ekitike (Frankfurt) - 76 OVR -> 84 OVR:
A strong candidate for the featured IF this week is Ekitike after he scored a double during Frankfurt's dominant 7-2 win over Bochum. Marmoush once again excelled, but with him being ineligible, it leaves the door open for the Frenchman.
ST: Dominic Solanke (Tottenham) - 81 OVR -> 84 OVR:
With Solanke's big-money transfer hindered by injury issues early on, we have had to wait and see what he is capable of. A huge performance this weekend saw him provide two goals and an assist as Tottenham came from behind to beat Villa 4-1
ST: Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Bizarrely, Gyökeres is still without a promotional item. Four goals this weekend should change that, with the Swede now on a colossal 16 after just 10 matches.
TOTW 8 Predicted Subs & Reserves
LB: Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth) - 77 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Bournemouth continue to record surprising results, with a win against Arsenal being backed up by one against Man City. This is the first time in their history they have managed to do so, not to mention it also ended City's 32-game unbeaten streak in the PL. Kerkez provided both assists during the 2-1 win.
LM: Miguel Gutierrez (Girona) - 80 OVR -> 83 OVR:
You could argue a case for Gutierrez to be listed as a LB, but regardless of position, I feel that he will feature in TOTW 8 after providing both a goal and an assist as Girona edged out a 4-3 win over Leganés.
RM: Maximillian Beier (Dortmund) - 78 OVR -> 82 OVR:
The Bundesliga offered the most candidates this week, with the majority of their matches making a case for at least one player. Someone may easily miss out, but I don't expect Beier to be one of those. The German scored once and assisted another as Dortmund recorded an impressive 2-1 win over Leipzig.
CM: Davide Frattesi (Inter) - 81 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Serie A had two game weeks to select from this week, but even with the additional fixtures, their options are few and far between. Frattesi’s double during Inter's midweek win stands out among several average candidates.
CAM: Gaetan Perrin (Auxerre) - 72 OVR -> 80 OVR:
Rennes continue to struggle this season after showing a couple of seasons of promise. This is highlighted by their recent 4-0 loss away at Auxerre. Perrin scored twice during the victory, claiming an 8/10 from L'Équipe in the process.
ST: Joel Pohjanpalo (Verona) - 75 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Verona picked up a huge three points during their midweek match with Udinese. Pohjanpalo scored two of their three goals and was awarded a 7.5 from Gazzetta.
ST: Tim Kleindienst (Gladbach) - 77 OVR -> 81 OVR:
It's very rare to see a striker included without scoring a goal, but with three assists to his name, Kleindienst is worthy of an inclusion. Gladbach went on to beat Bremen 4-1. Kleindienst has been a consistent performer for the club and has been knocking on the door for an IF for a while now.
CB: Loreintz Rosier (Fortuna) - 70 OVR -> 80 OVR:
There were several candidates from the Eredivisie this week, and numerous players could end up making EA's side. My favourite from the bunch is Rosier, who scored twice from CB during a 3-0 win for Fortuna.
RM: Alessane Ndao (Konyaspor) - 68 OVR -> 80 OVR:
With the Turkish division receiving the latest bunch of squad foundation cards, it was inevitable they would receive an IF in the upcoming TOTW. Thankfully, that decision was made easy with Ndao scoring a hat trick.
ST: Mathias Kvistgaarden (Brondby) - 69 OVR -> 80 OVR:
The hat tricks continue from this point onwards. The lower divisions have been very hit and miss, but it’s extremely difficult to snub those with three, as realistically they should be included. Kvistgaarden managed exactly that during a 5-1 win for Brøndby.
ST: Lars-Jorgen Salvesen (Viking) - 66 OVR -> 80 OVR:
A player in an extremely similar situation to Kvistgaarden is Salvesen. His hat trick ensured Viking recorded a 3-2 win.
ST: Vakoun Issouf Bayo (Watford) - 69 OVR -> 80 OVR:
We conclude the prediction with another player who scored four this week: Bayo. Watford hammered Sheffield Wednesday 6-2, with the Ivorian excelling.
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!
Latest TOTWs