TOTW 15 Predicted Starting XI
A week which saw cup upsets, high-scoring matches and a couple of sublime solo performances leads us into this year’s festive TOTW. Headlining the side we have Haaland, Rogers and Koke.
GK: Matvey Safonov (PSG) - 78 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Everyone has seen the heroics of Safonov by now, and while there can be question marks surrounding whether this match will count for EA, I am willing to take the punt. The Russian made four consecutive penalty shootout saves to guide PSG to a shootout win, beating Flamengo on penalties to secure the title.
CB: Isak Hien (Atalanta) - 78 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Isak Hien scored a last-minute winner to secure Atalanta a 1-0 away win at Genoa. The goal saw the Swedish defender claim MOTM with a 7/10 from Gazzetta. With limited players standing out this week, Hien is almost nailed on for an inclusion.
CB: Niklas Sule (Dortmund) - 81 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The first featured player I have opted for this week is Niklas Süle. Dortmund recorded a relatively straightforward 2-0 win, with the German providing an assist alongside a convincing defensive display. Süle went on to receive a 1.5 match rating from Kicker, which should put him high in the pecking order this week.
RB: Josip Stanisic (Munich) - 78 OVR -> 83 OVR:
It was another comfortable win for Munich, this time 4-0 away at Heidenheim, as they continue to dominate the Bundesliga this season. Stanisic was named MOTM after the Croatian scored once and assisted another, alongside keeping a clean sheet.
LM: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
It was the Rogers show on Sunday, with the Englishman scoring twice for the second consecutive match. This time he played out wide, with his brace securing a 2-1 win for in-form Villa at home to Manchester United. Rogers has been knocking on the door for an IF for a while now; surely this is the week it finally happens.
CAM: Yunus Akgun (Galatasaray) - 78 OVR -> 86 OVR:
EA have shown a clear preference for the Turkish division this season, and after a couple of strong displays this week, I expect the trend to continue. Akgun could easily be one of the featured options after his goal and assist helped Galatasaray secure a 3-0 win. With a featured upgrade, this card becomes very usable.
CM: Koke (Atletico Madrid) - 81 OVR -> 86 OVR:
La Liga only offered a few options this week, so I would expect a couple to be forced in. Koke is one of my punts to do so after he was named MOTM for his goal during Atletico's 3-0 away win over Girona. EA need some familiar names in this week’s side, and Koke fits the bill.
RW: Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford) - 76 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Lewis-Potter has occupied various positions for Brentford this season, but this was by far his best performance of the season, with his double securing a 2-0 away win over Wolves, who will now sit on the joint lowest points total (2) heading into Christmas. I would expect one of the three featured spots to go to the Premier League here, and Lewis-Potter is the most deserving of that.
ST: Moise Kean (Fiorentina) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Fiorentina finally secured their first win of the season, and it came via a convincing 5-1 victory over Udinese. Kean scored two of those five goals and was awarded MOTM with a 7.5 from Gazzetta for his performance. This result will at least give Fiorentina some hope heading into the new year.
ST: Selina Cerci (Hoffenheim) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The Thunderstruck promotion seems long enough ago that an IF is now possible, and with two goals and an assist to her name, Cerci is one of the stronger candidates for this week’s side. Hoffenheim went on to secure a 5-1 home win, marking three consecutive league victories for them.
ST: Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 90 OVR -> 92 OVR:
Haaland often needs a hat trick to be included and although he didn’t quite manage that this week, he was directly involved in all three City goals, with two of his own alongside an assist during their 3-0 win at home to West Ham. With this being the Christmas week TOTW, I would expect Haaland to receive his SIF with said performance.
TOTW 15 Predicted Subs & Reserves
RB: Samuele Birindelli (Monza) - 74 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Monza continue to battle towards their return to Serie A, and early signs are promising, currently sitting second in the Serie B table, just three points off leaders Frosinone. A Birindelli brace helped secure a 4-1 win this weekend, and should EA classify this as an RB performance, I would expect an IF inclusion.
LM: Leela Egli (Freiburg) - 71 OVR -> 83 OVR:
While the Frauen Bundesliga usually only receives one IF per week, I am willing to make an exception here with limited matches being played. Egli scored twice and assisted another from LM to receive a perfect 10 match rating. Freiburg went on to win 3-0, proving Egli's influence on the match.
CAM: Bamba Dieng (Lorient) - 71 OVR -> 83 OVR:
There were numerous cup matches taking place this week, with most of the top five divisions in action. While I have given preference to league matches, some cup performances just couldn’t be ignored. Dieng was one of those after he scored three during a 7-0 demolition job for Lorient.
LM: Aitor Ruibal (Real Betis) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Aitor Ruibal is not usually a source of goals for Betis, but he recorded two this weekend against Getafe as Betis secured a comfortable 4-0 home win. Ruibal is one of the best options in La Liga this week, and with limited midfielders standing out in general, he was one of the first names in this side.
ST: Dzenan Pejcinovic (Wolfsburg) - 65 OVR -> 83 OVR:
While Wolfsburg lost this match, we have seen on a few occasions players from the losing side be included. This has only ever happened with hat tricks, and thus Pejcinovic, who was also named POTW in Germany, does stand a chance. Wolfsburg ended up losing 4-3, but the German striker did everything he could on his end.
ST: Ante Budimir (Osasuna) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
There were numerous cup matches with strikers scoring two goals, but with league preference being clear in previous weeks, Budimir should get preference from EA. His double helped guide Osasuna to a 3-0 home victory against Alavés.
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds) - 74 OVR -> 83 OVR:
There were a lot of Premier League options this week, numerous being strikers. With this being such an impressive win for Leeds, I would expect Calvert-Lewin to be high up the pecking order though. The English striker scored twice as Leeds secured a 4-1 home win over Crystal Palace.
RB: Lynden Gooch (Huddersfield) - 68 OVR -> 83 OVR:
There were numerous defenders with two attacking returns this week, but Gooch stands out after scoring once and assisting another two as Huddersfield beat Rotherham 3-1 away from home, a result that pushes them closer to the play-off positions.
RM:Arda Kurtulan (Goztepe) - 63 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Kurtulan was deployed in a more advanced RM role this weekend, which worked out well for Goztepe, with the Albanian scoring both their goals as they won 2-0 at home against Samsunspor. While two Turkish league IFs may be pushing it, with fewer leagues in action, it does open up more spots.
ST: Arana (Racing Club) - 70 OVR -> 83 OVR:
When EA have decided to include cup fixtures in previous weeks, the majority of them have come from upsets. Racing Club did exactly that against high-flying Villarreal, with an Arana double leaving Villarreal shocked as Racing Club secured a 2-1 win to progress.
ST: Lorent Tolaj (Plymouth) - 65 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Doncaster took an early lead against Plymouth, but the visitors soon recovered and did so superbly. Tolaj was directly involved in four goals, scoring three himself alongside providing an assist as Plymouth came from behind to secure a 5-1 away win.
ST:Luke Plange (Grasshoppers) - 62 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Grasshoppers have largely struggled this season, so a match away at Young Boys looked to be a difficult task, but it ended up being the opposite. Plange scored four times as Grasshoppers cruised to an impressive 6-2 win.
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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