TOTW 12 Predicted Starting XI
While there are no elite-level players to get excited about this week, it looks to be a well-balanced side with numerous popular players likely to receive an IF, whether that’s Foden’s brace, Diaz with a goal and an assist, or Benzema’s cup hat-trick.
GK: Berke Ozer (Lille) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The goalkeeper position was difficult to fill, with not many standing out, and with EA opting for completely random players in this position on a regular basis, it just makes the selection process harder. Ozer is my choice after the Turkish stopper made seven saves as 10-man Lille held onto their 1-0 win over Le Havre, stopping a total of 1.55 xG.
LB: Alberto Moreno (Como) - 75 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Como continue to compete towards the top of Serie A, their latest three points coming via a 2-0 win over Sassuolo. Moreno scored one of those two goals, and with Gazzetta awarding him a 7/10 for doing so, alongside him being a familiar name, a featured IF seems possible here.
CB: Malick Thiaw (Newcastle) - 78 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The second featured player this week seems highly predictable: Thiaw. The German scored his first and second goals for Newcastle as they secured a 4-1 away win over Everton. With a strong base card, this upgrade could produce a popular budget option for Premier League defenders.
CB: Mohammed Salisu (Monaco) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Monaco upset PSG this weekend with a 1-0 win over their rivals. It was just PSG's second loss of the season, and I fully expect EA to award an IF as a result. Salisu is the sensible option, having received MOTM from L’Équipe with an 8/10. Although there was no attacking return from Salisu, he was still one of the standout defenders this week.
LM: Luis Diaz (Munich) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Diaz has proved to be an impressive signing for Munich, with the Colombian continuing to impress for the German side. This would be his third promotional inclusion of the season should EA opt to include him, and after a goal and an assist during their 3-1 home win, it looks like a strong possibility.
CDM: Reece James (Chelsea) - 81 OVR -> 84 OVR:
With high competition across midfielders this week, and just an assist to his name in a draw, James was difficult to include. However, when you consider the calibre of the game, he became hard to ignore. James provided the assist on Chelsea's goal as they hung on to a point despite playing the majority of the game with ten men. It was a crucial point that ensured Arsenal didn’t obtain a big lead at the top of the table.
CAM: Phil Foden (Man City) - 85 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Man City almost dropped points at home to Leeds, which would have been disastrous for their title hopes, seeing as Arsenal already look to be the side to beat. Foden ensured that wasn’t the case, though, scoring both their first and last goals, the second being a 91st-minute winner to complete the 3-2 win.
CAM: Dani Olmo (Barcelona) - 85 OVR -> 86 OVR:
As is often the case in EA games, Barcelona are one of the highest in terms of promotional inclusions. Another looks set to be on the way come Wednesday after Olmo found the back of the net twice during Barcelona's 3-1 win, a result which sends them to the top of the table.
CAM: Ella Toone (Manchester United) - 85 OVR -> 86 OVR:
There is a chance that EA opt to ignore the international fixtures this week, with them all being friendly matches. There is a probability that they do include a few, however, with the women’s side of the game often getting noticed now. If that is the case, one player who is nailed on is Toone; she scored once and assisted another three as England demolished China 8-0.
ST: Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) - 85 OVR -> 86 OVR:
There were a few options from cup fixtures this week, but with uncertainty still surrounding that aspect of TOTW, it’s only one I have opted to include. It was the quarter-finals in Saudi, and Benzema led Al-Ittihad to a comfortable 4-1 win with his hat-trick.
ST: Lautaro Martinez (Inter) - 88 OVR -> 89 OVR:
We end the starting eleven with the highest-rated player in this prediction, Martinez. The Argentine scored both Inter Milan goals as they secured a 2-0 win away at Pisa. Gazzetta awarded Martinez MOTM with a 7.5 for his performance.
TOTW 12 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton) - 74 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Two of the three relegated sides from the Premier League faced off this week, with Southampton coming away as comfortable 3-0 winners. Central defender Harwood-Bellis scored two of those three goals, deservedly picking up MOTM as a result. There were a few silver defenders in contention this week, but Harwood-Bellis stands out.
LM: Inigo Vicente (Racing Club) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Onto a couple of lower-league players now with very impressive performances. Firstly, we have Vicente, who was involved in all four Racing Club goals as they recorded a 4-0 win over struggling Eibar. With a goal and three assists, Vicente looks nailed on for TOTW 12.
RM: Zlatko Tripic (Viking) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Viking fans finally got to experience title joy again after a long 34-year wait. The title came down to the wire, but a comfortable 5-1 win on the final day secured title glory for the club. I expect EA to acknowledge this, and Tripic is the obvious choice from the game, being named MOTM after scoring once and assisting another two.
CM: Wouter Burger (Hoffenheim) - 73 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With just a four-week gap between IFs, this is a risk, but with SIFs now occurring, this is not an unheard-of gap in terms of previous games. Burger was named Player of the Week in Germany after he provided both a goal and an assist during Hoffenheim’s 3-0 win. Should EA opt to include him, this card should be highly usable as well.
CAM: Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) - 79 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Another player seemingly likely to receive a SIF this week is Yildiz. The Turkish youngster continues to impress for Juventus this season, and another brace from him helped secure a 2-1 win over Cagliari. If EA include him, he will receive his third promotional card of the year so far.
LM: Moleiro (Villarreal) - 79 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Villarreal and Real Sociedad played out a five-goal thriller this weekend, with Villarreal coming out on top as 3-2 winners. Moleiro scored two of those three goals and was awarded MOTM. With limited La Liga options this week, I would be surprised if Moleiro fails to make the cut.
ST: Brian White (Vancover) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
This week saw the MLS playoff finals for both the Western and Eastern Conferences. I expect an IF from both, starting with Vancouver’s White. They secured a 3-1 away win, with White finding himself on the scoresheet twice. Although EA often only opt for one IF from the division each week, under these circumstances I expect an exception to be made.
ST: Luka Jovic (AEK) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The Greek league has been snubbed on numerous occasions over the past few seasons, but after an international week IF went their way recently, I don’t think it’s impossible for them to be included. For that reason, I am willing to take a punt on Jovic, who scored all three AEK goals during their 3-2 away win over Panathinaikos.
RW: Tadeo Allende (Inter Miami) - 72 OVR -> 83 OVR:
As mentioned previously, both MLS playoff finals were included this week. Allende is obviously the other choice after he scored three times for Inter Miami during their convincing 5-1 win over New York City.
RM: Seo Jin Su (Daejeon) - 65 OVR -> 83 OVR:
I have mentioned in previous weeks the inclusion of K-League players this year, and another looks set to be on the way come Wednesday. With two goals and an assist, Seo Jin Su helped Daejeon to a comfortable 3-0 away win.
ST: Sambou Soumano (Lorient) - 71 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Usually, there are numerous silver strikers competing for positions, but it was the opposite this week, so they mostly remain in the reserves section. Soumano scored twice for Lorient, claiming an 8/10 from L’Équipe as they secured a 3-1 home win over Nice.
ST: Joel Pohjanpalo (Palermo) - 74 OVR -> 83 OVR:
We conclude this week’s prediction with an easy inclusion. Pohjanpalo scored three times and also provided an assist as Palermo cruised to a 5-0 home win. With the Finnish striker being the only non-gold hat-trick this week, the decision was a no-brainer.
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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