TOTW 8 Predicted Starting XI
Despite an incredible number of fixtures this week, the TOTW still ends up looking somewhat underwhelming. Key standouts include Maignan, a featured Carreras, and a second IF for Sarr.
GK: Mike Maignan (AC Milan) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
A few goalkeepers impressed this week, but with limited standout options elsewhere, Maignan emerges as the top choice. The French keeper saved a penalty to help AC Milan secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Roma.
RB:Lucy Bronze (Chelsea) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Although there were many female international matches this week, with several being friendlies, I have kept inclusions limited. One player who makes the side is Lucy Bronze. The English defender scored a goal and provided an assist as England secured a 3-0 victory over Australia.
RB: Oscar Mingueza (Celta Vigo) - 80 OVR -> 83 OVR:
There were many wingbacks performing well this week, while fewer central players stood out. Although I expect EA to include a CB in this side, I have opted to boost the overall score potential by selecting more wingbacks. Mingueza was crucial for Celta Vigo, contributing both a goal and an assist in their 2-1 win over Levante.
LB: Alvaro Carreras (Real Madrid) - 80 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Carreras was named MOTM in Real Madrid's 4-0 home win over Valencia after scoring a well-taken goal and helping to keep a clean sheet. EA have the opportunity to make him the featured IF this week, which could arguably make him one of the best left backs in the game.
LM: Diego Gomez (Brighton) - 73 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Several players were in contention for a SIF this week, and now that we are well into the cycle, I would expect EA to start including them. The first this week goes to Gomez. The Premier League had only a few standout options, with Gomez among them, scoring twice during Brighton’s 3-0 win over Leeds.
CM:Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan) - 86 OVR -> 87 OVR:
With Serie A featuring two rounds of fixtures this week it’s likely that EA will include at least one additional player from the division. Inter Milan recorded a convincing 3-0 home win over Fiorentina on Wednesday with Calhanoglu scoring twice and earning an impressive 8 rating from Gazzetta, a performance that should comfortably secure him an IF.
CAM: Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) - 79 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Liverpool suffered their second defeat to Palace this season, being eliminated from the League Cup this week. Sarr scored two of Palace’s three goals as they secured a comfortable 3-0 win. A SIF looks likely for Sarr, as although it was a cup fixture, eliminating Liverpool should make the performance stand out.
RM: Antony (Real Betis) - 81 OVR -> 84 OVR:
We have seen several instances this season of players receiving an IF shortly after a promotional inclusion. Antony looks set to continue that trend, having scored twice and assisted another as Real Betis secured a 3-0 home win over Mallorca.
ST: Emelyne Laurent (Fleury) - 75 OVR -> 81 OVR:
The strikers were extremely difficult to select this week, with hat trick after hat trick meaning so many players have to miss out. The gold options probably gain preference due to the quality of the leagues. Laurent is one I expect to get the nod from EA after she scored three and provided an assist during Fleury's 4-0 win over Lens.
ST: Konstantinos Fortounis (Al-Khaleej) - 80 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The Saudi division continues to receive an IF per week. There were several candidates for that position this week, but Fortounis simply must gain the slot. He was involved in all four Al-Khaleej goals during their enthralling 4-4 draw, scoring two and providing two assists.
ST: Lea Schuller (Bayern Munich) - 86 OVR -> 87 OVR:
One of the few higher-rated options among forwards was Schuller. The Munich striker scored twice and provided an assist as they recorded a 4-1 home win over Essen, maintaining their unbeaten start to the campaign.
TOTW 8 Predicted Subs & Reserves
RB: Kenny Tete (Fulham) - 77 OVR -> 81 OVR:
We start the bench with something of a rogue inclusion. It is rare for a defender to be included without an attacking return, but after Tete was named MOTM by Sky with an impressive 9/10 match rating for his performance in Fulham's 3-0 win over Wolves, I could not ignore him, especially with limited Premier League options this week.
LM: Jamie Gittens (Chelsea) - 78 OVR -> 82 OVR:
Speaking of victories over Wolves, Chelsea also managed one this week in a seven-goal cup thriller. Chelsea secured a 4-3 win to progress to the next round, with Gittens scoring once and providing two assists.
CM: Christoph Baumgartner (Leipzig) - 77 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Germany also had a set of cup fixtures this week and while there are still question marks about how cup performances will be treated, I am happy to take the punt on Baumgartner. The Austrian scored twice as Leipzig progressed with a 4-1 win over Cottbus.
LM: Emma Sears (Louisville) - 75 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Another option from this week’s international matches is Sears. The NWSL often receives an IF each week, making her inclusion an easy choice. She scored three times for the USA as they secured a 6-0 win over New Zealand.
ST: Esteban Lepaul (Rennes) - 74 OVR -> 80 OVR:
Lepaul was named player of the week in France after earning an impressive 9/10 match rating. The French striker scored a hat trick for Rennes as they secured a 4-1 home win over Strasbourg.
ST: Haris Tabakovic (Glladbach) - 73 OVR -> 80 OVR:
Another silver player earning player of the week in a top-five league was Tabakovic. The Bosnian striker scored twice and provided an assist as Gladbach secured their first win of the season on their ninth attempt, defeating St Pauli 4-0.
ST: Juanmi (Getafe) - 74 OVR -> 80 OVR:
While Getafe faced significantly weaker opposition in the cup, an 11-0 away win is difficult to overlook. Juanmi was directly involved in five of those eleven goals, scoring four and assisting another. With numerous cup fixtures taking place this week, I can’t see EA ignoring this performance.
CB: Anton Krivotsyuk (Daejeon) - 68 OVR -> 80 OVR:
With the K-League having a couple of surprise appearances in TOTW this year, I made sure to keep an eye on the division. Krivotsyuk could easily make that three IFs for the division on Wednesday after the central defender scored once and assisted another during a 3-1 win. A very usable card as well.
LM: Al Hassan Toure (Sydney FC) - 63 OVR -> 80 OVR:
We now move on to the section where we have roughly twelve hat-tricks to fit into four spots. Some players will miss out, but we have made our best guesses for the four. The first is Toure, who, as a midfielder rather than a striker, stands out. Playing on the left, the Australian scored three as Sydney won 4-1 away against Newcastle Jets.
ST: Divin Mubama (Stoke) - 59 OVR -> 80 OVR:
Mubama is on loan at Stoke from Manchester City, but at 21 years of age, it seems unlikely that he will reach the very top. That being said, his performance for Stoke this weekend was sublime. With three goals and an assist, he helped Stoke to an impressive 5-1 win over Bristol City.
ST: Jizz Hornkamp (Heracles) - 68 OVR -> 80 OVR:
Heracles recorded a remarkable 8-2 home win over Zwolle. This result should stand out to EA, and with Hornkamp scoring three goals, it seems likely he will be included in TOTW. The Eredivisie is often a division EA gives preference to.
ST: Kieffer Moore (Wrexham) - 72 OVR -> 80 OVR:
Ending this week’s prediction is Kieffer Moore. The Welsh striker scored three times to secure Wrexham a 3-2 win over high-flying Coventry. Coventry have received numerous IFs this season, which suggests EA are keeping an eye on them, and this bodes well for Moore’s chances.
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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