TOTW 10 Predicted Starting XI
With many players stepping up for their nations to secure World Cup progression, we take a look at those likely to feature in TOTW 10. It is a slightly unorthodox week, but one where those who truly deserve it get included.
GK: Lola Gallardo (Atletico Madrid) - 81 OVR -> 84 OVR:
As is often the case during international weeks, the goalkeeper position was difficult to select with only a few realistic options. One of those is Gallardo, who made six saves during Atletico's 2-0 win over Badalona. The Spaniard was named MOTM for her performance.
RB: Malo Gusto (Chelsea) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With France already having secured qualification by finishing top of their group, they fielded a second-string side for their match against Azerbaijan. Gusto took full advantage, providing two assists during the 3-1 away win.
CB: Mapi Leon (Barcelona) - 89 OVR -> 90 OVR:
The female El Classico is largely one-sided but remains the biggest match of the season for both teams. Barcelona continued their dominance with a 4-0 win. Pajor scored twice, but with a promotional inclusion, it seems likely that Leon will make the cut. She provided an assist and was named MOTM during the victory.
CB: Gianluca Mancini (Roma) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Italy will be frustrated after the latest international break, now having to go through the play-offs. Despite a 4-1 loss to Norway in the second fixture, Mancini could still make the cut thanks to their 2-0 win over Moldova, in which he scored and helped keep a clean sheet.
RB: Julian Ryerson (Dortmund) - 79 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Norway look extremely dangerous, going eight from eight during qualification and finishing with a 4-1 win over Italy. Although Haaland was dominant across both games this week, with so many promotional inclusions already, I focused elsewhere. Ryerson provided two assists in their first fixture, which stands out to me.
CAM:Bruno Fernandes (Man United) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Portugal secured their qualification with a 9-1 win over Armenia. Several players are in line for an IF from the match, but with both Neves and Fernandes scoring three goals, it is highly likely that one of them claims the IF. Fernandes received a 0.1 higher match rating and ultimately gets the nod from me.
CDM:Saki Kumagai (London City) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The London City IFs continue to flow, with Kumagai set to be the fourth special card they receive this season. The Japanese midfielder scored twice during a 3-1 away win over Aston Villa. With fewer matches played due to the internationals, I can see more than the usual one WSL card making EA's side on Wednesday.
LM:Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Switzerland secured top spot in their qualification group with a 4-1 home win over Sweden. Ndoye stood out in the match, contributing a goal and an assist to help Switzerland claim all three points. With few wide options this week, I would expect Ndoye to earn one of EA's featured spots.
ST: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Oyarzabal continued his strong form for Spain, scoring twice and providing an assist in their 4-0 win over Georgia. Spain’s dominance in Group E has seen them win all five games without conceding, making them one of the favourites heading into the World Cup.
ST: Khadija Shaw (Man City) - 89 OVR -> 90 OVR:
Top of the table City faced rivals Man United this weekend, coming out on top with a 3-0 win. Being a rivalry match, an IF is likely. There were several candidates, but with Shaw scoring a goal and providing an assist in a week with few standout strikers, I would expect her to get the nod.
ST: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) - 88 OVR -> 89 OVR:
While I largely ignored friendly matches this week, one I could not overlook was Martinez’s goal and assist during Argentina’s 2-0 away win over Angola. Strikers and big-name players were few and far between, so with the Argentine filling both of those quotas, I expect him to feature in TOTW 10.
TOTW 30 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Sverrir Ingason (Panathinakos) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
While Iceland failed to progress from their group and I have largely ignored those options, there are a couple of performances I had to include. Ingason is one of those, with the central defender scoring once during their 2-0 away win over Azerbaijan.
CM: Croix Bethune (Washington) - 78 OVR -> 83 OVR:
With the NWSL playing their semifinals this week, an IF or two is inevitable. While none specifically stood out, I still expect at least one to be included. Bethune looks to be the most viable option, having scored one of Washington's two goals during their 2-0 win over Portland.
RM: Andrija Zivkovic (PAOK) - 78 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Serbia narrowly missed out on a playoff spot in Group K, with England and Albania claiming first and second respectively. Zivkovic still has a strong chance of a TOTW inclusion, as his two assists helped Serbia secure a 2-1 win over Latvia.
CM: Angela Sosa (Madrid) - 81 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Usually Sosa's match rating would have ruled her out of consideration, but with the competition significantly lower this week, her goal and assist stand out. The Spaniard played a key role as Madrid recorded a 4-1 away win over Alhama.
ST: Fisnik Asllani (Hoffenheim) - 73 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Kosovo have impressed throughout their group stage, finishing second above both Sweden and Slovenia. Asllani scored once in each of their matches this week, and while IFs are typically awarded for single-match performances, I feel that Asllani deserves the nod over similar one-goal efforts.
ST: Nick Woltemade (Newcastle) - 79 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The striker position for Germany has been open for a while now, with no one establishing themselves as the clear favorite. Woltemade is beginning to emerge as the leading option for the World Cup, with his form for Newcastle translating well to the international stage. Scoring twice this week, he led Germany to a 2-0 win over Luxembourg.
ST: Yeremay (Deportivo) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The second tier in Spain often sees IFs during an international break. This week looks no different, with two candidates making this prediction. The first is Yeremay, who scored once and assisted twice as Deportivo secured a 3-1 away win over Cordoba.
CM: Jordan James (Leicester) - 69 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Wales needed to beat Liechtenstein away from home to keep their qualification hopes alive. It was not as easy as many expected, with a Jordan James goal in the 61st minute being the only thing separating the two sides.
RM: Awer Mabil (Castellon) - 67 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The second player from the second tier of Spain comes from Castellon's nine goal thriller with Sociedad B. Mabil scored once and provided another two assists claiming MOTM for doing so.
CM: Juninho Bacuna (Gaziantep) - 69 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Curacao dominated Bermuda, securing a 7-0 win to set up a crucial match with Jamaica, keeping their chance to become the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup alive. Bacuna scored two of the seven goals, making his spot in TOTW 10 highly probable.
CAM: Richonell Margaret (GA Eagles) - 67 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Suriname now lead their group after five games following a 4-0 home win over El Salvador. Margaret scored two of the four goals, and although EA often snub smaller nations, given their position I would expect some recognition here.
ST: Troy Parrott (AZ) - 79 OVR -> 83 OVR:
What a week it has been for both Ireland and Troy Parrott. They first secured a 2-0 win over Portugal and then followed it up with a 3-2 victory against Hungary. Troy Parrott scored all five of their goals across the week, securing Ireland a World Cup play off spot, a result that seemed highly unlikely before the international break began.
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