TOTW 9 Predicted Starting XI
Several big names stood out this week, with Lewandowski scoring a hat trick, Vitinha providing two assists in a tight encounter with Lyon, and Doku running rings around the Liverpool defence. TOTW 9 has the potential to be a big one.
GK: Augusto Batalla (Real Vallecano) - 79 OVR -> 83 OVR:
League leaders Real Madrid dropped points for only the second time this season, largely thanks to the heroics of Batalla in goal for Vallecano. The Argentine made several key saves to keep the scores level, securing his side an impressive point at home against Madrid.
RB: Giulia Gwinn (Munich) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Munich performed well in both of their fixtures this week, producing a candidate from each match. I ultimately expect Gwinn to be recognised. The German defender scored once and assisted another as Munich defeated Union Berlin 4-0.
CB: Danilho Doekhi (Union Berlin) - 78 OVR -> 86 OVR:
While Doekhi recently featured in EA's TOTW promotion, there is a three-week gap between his cards. In previous games, this has been enough for an inclusion under certain circumstances. With two goals against Munich and being named player of the week in Germany, it is safe to say this performance should result in an IF and what a card this could be.
CB: Tiago Djalo (Besiktas) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
EA continue to show love to the Turkish division with several surprise inclusions occurring over the past eight weeks. With that in mind, I have taken a punt on Djalo. The Portuguese defender received high match ratings after scoring from the back during Besiktas' 3-1 away win.
LW: Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) - 80 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With the base ratings for TOTW now being updated, I would expect to see some very strong featured cards. Last week saw one, and this week we could see another with Doku. Liverpool continued their downfall, with some fans already calling for an end to the Klopp era. City were the latest side to benefit from their poor form, recording a comfortable 3-0 home win. Doku scored one of those three and was a constant threat down the left-hand side throughout the match.
CM: Vitinha (PSG) - 89 OVR -> 90 OVR:
One of the high-profile options this week is Vitinha. PSG played a five-goal thriller against Lyon, coming out 3-2 winners. Vitinha was named MOTM after providing two assists. An eight from L'equipe should ultimately earn him his first special card of the season.
LM: Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
There were only a few standout players in the Premier League this week, but with the division often receiving the most IFs from EA, several are still likely to feature. One of those is Garnacho, who provided two assists from LM as Chelsea secured a 3-0 win over winless Wolves.
RW:Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo) - 82 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Berardi is approaching 400 games played for Sassuolo, firmly establishing himself as one of the club’s biggest icons. He continues to deliver top performances, claiming player of the week in Italy this week with an impressive 8.5 match rating. He earned this after scoring twice and assisting another in their 3-0 away win over Atalanta.
ST: Igor Thiago (Brentford) - 75 OVR -> 84 OVR:
While several sides in the Premier League continue to beat expectations, one side at the opposite end of that scale is Newcastle. Brentford were the latest team to claim three points against them, with a Thiago brace helping them come from behind to win 3-1.
ST: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) - 88 OVR -> 89 OVR:
Despite being 37 years old, Lewandowski is still performing at the highest level and scoring regularly. Barcelona won 4-2 away at Celta Vigo this weekend, with the Polish legend scoring three of the four goals. An easy selection for TOTW, especially in a week with few hat tricks.
ST: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) - 86 OVR -> 87 OVR:
While EA have snubbed Messi on several occasions this season, with the MLS now in the playoff stage, I would expect the Argentine to feature this week. Messi scored twice and assisted another as Inter Miami secured a 4-0 win over Nashville.
TOTW 9 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Daniel Ballard (Sunderland) - 73 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Even the most optimistic Sunderland fans would not have foreseen what their club is achieving so far this season. They sit in fourth position with nineteen points from eleven games. A 2-2 draw against the defensively solid Arsenal was achieved this week, with central defender Ballard securing MOTM for his goal in the draw.
CDM: Ibrahim Maza (Leverkusen) - 71 OVR -> 83 OVR:
One of the most convincing wins in the top divisions this week came as Leverkusen defeated Heidenheim 6-0. Several players stood out in the match, but it was the young Algerian, Maza, who received MOTM with a perfect 1 match rating from Kicker. Maza earned the grade after scoring two of the six goals from CDM.
CM: Laia Aleixandri (Barcelona) - 81 OVR -> 84 OVR:
It was another incredible scoreline for Barcelona, winning 8-0 and taking their goal difference to +45 after just ten games. Laia Aleixandri scored two of the eight goals, earning MOTM for her performance. With her base card listed as a CB, the right upgrades could make this an extremely usable card.
CAM: Wesley Said (Lens) - 74 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Lens dominated L’equipe’s TOTW with four players making the team after a highly impressive 4-1 away win over Monaco. While the IF is not guaranteed, I would expect Said to receive it after scoring two of the four goals from CAM.
ST: Romee Leuchter (PSG) - 79 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Although the gap between the top two and the rest of the division is significant, with Fleury sitting fourth, it still counts as a big game. PSG ran away with a 4-0 win, with Leuchter scoring twice and providing an assist.
ST: Deniz Undav (Stuttgart) - 80 OVR -> 84 OVR:
With few strikers scoring more than two goals this week, players with braces in top divisions have a chance to earn a TOTW spot. Undav is one player likely to benefit, having scored twice during Stuttgart's 3-2 win over Augsburg. He received a 1.5 from Kicker, securing his place in their TOTW.
ST: Guus Til (PSV) - 79 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Guus Til has been close to earning an IF on several occasions this year, but after scoring a hat trick, his first IF of the season is inevitable. PSV went on to win comfortably 5-1 away against AZ, and with Feyenoord losing, PSV now hold a three-point lead at the top of the table.
CB: Bobby Thomas (Coventry) - 71 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Coventry have been early high fliers in the Championship, and with two more wins this week, they sit six points clear at the top of the table. They have already received three special cards this season as EA continue to recognize their performances. That could become four after Thomas scored once and assisted another during their 3-1 win over Sheffield United.
RM: Amario Cozier-Duberry (Bolton) - 66 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Compared to last week, it was significantly easier to make the TOTW with fewer hat tricks occurring. That likely works in Cozier-Duberry's favour, with the Bolton midfielder recording two goals and two assists during their 4-0 home win over Port Vale.
RM: Freya Godfrey (London City) - 65 OVR -> 83 OVR:
There was really only one option for the WSL IF this week, and that is Godfrey. London City are a new entry to the league this season and have largely been competitive. They recorded a 4-2 win over Tottenham this weekend, with Godfrey scoring twice and assisting another.
ST: Roger Martinez (Al Taawoun) - 72 OVR -> 83 OVR:
There were a couple of Saudi options this week, but with EA remaining reluctant to award more than one per week, Martinez is seemingly the best choice. With limited hat tricks standing out, he was one of only a handful of players to achieve the feat, making his inclusion in TOTW highly probable.
ST: Edu Espiau (Arka Gdynia) - 64 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Poznan were consistently one of the best sides in Poland for many years, but this season has been a struggle. They currently sit 8th in the table after fourteen games. Arka Gdynia claimed all three points when they hosted them this weekend, with Espiau scoring all three of their goals.
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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