TOTW 11 Predicted Starting XI
TOTW 11 is not the most exciting side we have seen, but there are still a few players worth packing, whether that’s Maignan's performance between the sticks during the Milan Derby, Eze's hat-trick in the North London Derby, or Murillo's goal and clean sheet during Forest's shock 3-0 win over Liverpool.
GK: Mike Maignan - 87 OVR -> 89 OVR:
While there is a risk associated with the Maignan selection due to the proximity of the previous IF, with SIFs now being included and the magnitude of this match, I can see EA opting for the Frenchman. He was pivotal between the sticks as AC Milan secured a 1-0 win over rivals Inter. With six saves and a penalty stop, he was named MOTM for keeping his clean sheet, earning an 8/10 from Gazzetta.
CB: Kevin Diks (Gladbach) - 74 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With limited gold defenders performing this week, I can see EA opting for a silver from a top-five division via a featured upgrade. Diks fits this quota after scoring one of Gladbach’s goals during their 3-0 away win over Heidenheim. With respectable base stats, Diks would become a very usable option with a featured increase.
CB: Murillo (Nottingham Forest) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Slot’s time as Liverpool manager has got to be close to finished, with Liverpool now down in eleventh after their sixth loss of the season. Forest were the latest side to capitalise on that poor form with a 3-0 away win. Murillo scored one of the three goals while claiming MOTM for doing so.
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
With Wijnaldum being included in the latest EA promotion, it leaves the door open for the Saudi league IF, which at this point seems inevitable. While the options are limited, Koulibaly stands out. The central defender provided an assist during the 2-1 win, in which Al-Hilal had to play the final 15 minutes with ten men.
LW: Ferran Torres (Barcelona) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Barcelona continue to close the gap on league leaders Real Madrid with their fourth win from five. An impressive 4-0 home win over Athletic Club was the latest result, in which Torres scored a double. The Spaniard has been snubbed on a couple of occasions already this season but looks to be one of the better options this week.
CAM: Eberechi Eze (Arsenal) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
It just had to be Eze, didn’t it? The player who snubbed Tottenham at the last minute before signing for rivals Arsenal. With both Manchester City and Liverpool dropping points, the title race is now all in Arsenal's control despite only being a third of the way through the campaign. Eze scored three times during the NLD win, with Arsenal coming out as 4-1 winners.
CM:Rose Lavelle (Gotham) - 87 OVR -> 89 OVR:
With the NWSL playing out their final this week, an IF from the match seems inevitable. The score ended 1-0 in favour of Gotham, who defeated Washington, so it makes sense to go with the goalscorer. In this case, that is Lavelle, who would be receiving her second IF of the campaign so far.
RM: Michael Olise (Munich) - 86 OVR -> 87 OVR:
One of the best performances this week came from Munich's Olise. The Frenchman has excelled since joining the German side from Palace in the summer. Munich demolished Freiburg 6-2, with Olise scoring twice and assisting another three, going on to be named Kicker's Player of the Week.
CAM: Marco Asensio (Fenerbahce) - 80 OVR -> 84 OVR:
The Turkish division has been one of EA's favourite divisions to award IFs to outside of the top five leagues. They often feature each week, and this time around Asensio looks set to receive the IF. With a goal and two assists, he was named MOTM during Fenerbahce's 5-2 away win.
ST: Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille) - 81 OVR -> 87 OVR:
With a couple of Ligue 1 options being unable to receive IFs due to recent promotional inclusions, Aubameyang looks to be nailed on for his SIF this week. The Gabon international scored once and assisted another two during Marseille's 5-1 away win over Nice, with L’Équipe awarding him an 8/10, the joint highest of the week.
ST: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
After an awful start to the season, Aston Villa's recent form has lifted them into the top four. Their latest three points came after they came from behind to beat Leeds, securing a 2-1 win. Rogers was the player doing the damage, scoring both goals, one of which was a fantastic free-kick.
TOTW 11 Predicted Subs & Reserves
LB:Mathias Laborda (Vancouver) - 70 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The MLS is currently in the playoff stage of the season and, as a result, will likely receive an IF during each round. Laborda seems to be the best option this week after Vancouver upset LAFC, progressing on penalties. Laborda scored during regular time and also the decisive penalty, sending Vancouver to the semi-finals.
CM: Tommaso Pobega (Bologna) - 74 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The player of the week in Italy this week went to Bologna's Pobega. The Italian received an 8/10 from Gazzetta for his brace during Bologna's 3-0 away win over Udinese. With EA's tendency to include top-five league silvers on the bench, this only increases the probability that Pobega ends up included.
LM: Harvey Barnes (Newcastle) - 80 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Sitting down in fourteenth after twelve games is not how Newcastle envisioned their season going, but that’s the reality. It was an impressive result for them this weekend, however, with a Harvey Barnes brace helping to secure a 2-1 win over title contenders Man City.
CM: Mahdi Camara (Rennes) - 78 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Rennes secured an impressive 4-1 win over Monaco this weekend, with a couple of Rennes players standing out for a potential IF. Camara should be the front runner, however, after his goal and assist from midfield saw L’Équipe award his performance an 8/10.
ST: Fabio Abreu (Guoan) - 74 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Onto the hat-tricks now, and Abreu continued his prolific goalscoring form this season, adding another four to his already impressive tally. Guoan secured a 5-1 home win thanks to Abreu's dominance in front of goal, which will likely see him awarded his second IF of the campaign.
ST: Ane Azkona (Athletic Club) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
When it came to the Liga F IF this week, while there were a few candidates, one stood out above the rest. Azkona scored three times for her Athletic Club as they recorded a 5-1 away win over Granada.
ST: Deniz Undav (Stuttgart) - 80 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Undav continued his goalscoring form with a hat-trick away at Dortmund. While both sides took home a point after the enthralling 3-3 draw, it will be Stuttgart who are likely the happier of the two. With Undav scoring all three of their goals, he is an easy inclusion in this week’s side.
CB: Damon Mirani (Heracles) - 67 OVR -> 83 OVR:
There were multiple silver defenders who stood out this week, and I have actually opted to include four of them, which is unheard of. However, they really stood out in comparison to other options, so they became difficult to ignore. Mirani scored twice for Heracles during their 4-2 home win over GA Eagles.
LB: Anton Ekeroth (HamKam) - 63 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Haugesund have been woeful this season, sitting on just nine points from twenty-nine matches. HamKam were the latest side to beat them, by the convincing scoreline of 5-0. LB Ekeroth was heavily involved in the win, providing the assist for three of the five goals.
RM: Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys) - 72 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Young Boys actually provided another defensive option in Hadjam, who scored once and assisted another two. However, with so many silver and bronze defenders already included, alongside his recent promotional inclusion, I feel that Fassnacht benefits from that. The Swiss midfielder scored twice and assisted another during a 5-0 home win.
CAM: Naatan Skytta (Kaiserslautern) - 71 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Just the one hat-trick occurred from a non-gold option this week, and that went the way of Skytta from Germany's second division. His treble helped secure a 4-1 home win over Kiel.
ST: Mateo Pellegrino (Parma) - 67 OVR -> 83 OVR:
This could be an important win for the relegation outcome at the end of the season, with Parma's 2-1 win over Verona lifting them five points clear of the drop. Pellegrino scored both goals, claiming MOTM from Gazzetta for doing so.
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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