TOTW 20 Predicted Starting XI
It's hard to promote this side with limited high-profile players standing out, but the aim this week is always going to be TOTY players. Mahrez, Tonali, Gakpo, and Gvardiol stand out in a very underwhelming side.
GK: Dorde Petrovic (Strasbourg) - 79 OVR -> 84 OVR:
I feel the goalkeeping decision was one of the easiest to make this week, with Petrovic excelling between the sticks for Strasbourg. The on-loan Chelsea stopper made several key saves, ensuring Strasbourg won 2–1 at home to Lille.
LB: Josko Gvardiol (Man City) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Man City returned to the top four with a 3–1 home win over Chelsea. Gvardiol was heavily involved in attack, scoring one of their three. The Croatian went on to receive MOTM, which, in a big fixture like this, makes his SIF seem likely.
CB: Strahinja Pavlovic (AC Milan) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
AC Milan left it late, trailing 2–1 to Parma heading into the final minutes of the match. Goals in both the 92nd and 95th minutes turned the game on its head as Milan stole all three points with a 3–2 win. Pavlovic assisted the final goal and claimed MOTM with a 7.5 in the process.
CB: Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal) - 78 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The first featured option of the week goes to Calafiori. Arsenal have not been convincing recently but continue to pick up points. Going down to ten men early on didn’t help their case here, but a Calafiori goal midway through the second half ended up being the difference.
RM: Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) - 85 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The Saudi division usually end up receiving an IF each week. The decision was far from easy this time around, but Mahrez looks to be the best option to me after he scored once and assisted another during a convincing 5–0 home win.
CAM: Fermin (Barcelona) - 76 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Fermin's spot in this side is guaranteed after he provided two goals and two assists during a 7–1 demolition of Valencia. I also expect the youngster to receive the featured upgrade, though, with EA having an opportunity to include another usable Barcelona option in the game.
CDM: Sandro Tonali (Newcastle) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
EA have to make a few bold decisions to make this side remotely interesting. Tonali could be one route into that after he scored once during Newcastle's 3–1 win over Southampton. Slightly clutching at straws, but they need some players to promote the side.
RM: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco) - 76 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The 86-rated players continue to dominate this side, and a SIF looks set to be on the way for Monaco's young talent, Akliouche. The 22-year-old received the joint highest rating of the week in France after both scoring once and assisting another.
ST: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Gakpo has consistently been among the goals for Liverpool this season, especially when playing at Anfield. A brace this weekend meant he has now scored in their last four home matches. The Dutchman also provided an assist as Liverpool beat Ipswich 4–1.
ST: Hugo Ekitike (Frankfurt) - 76 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The Bundesliga was plagued with draws this week, which meant there were limited IF options from the division. Ekitike scored twice, and although Frankfurt only drew, the Bundesliga will have at least a couple of players, and he is one of the best options.
ST: Mateo Retegui (Atalanta) - 76 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Retegui was named Player of the Week in Italy for his brace during Atalanta's 2–1 away win over Como. Retegui is not shy of a promotion card this year, but this would only be his second IF of the game.
TOTW 20 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Marta Cazalla (Hoffenheim) - 71 OVR -> 83 OVR:
There were a plethora of options when it came to non-gold defenders this week, with some simply ridiculous performances. I can't include only one, so Cazalla makes her way onto the bench. The Spaniard scored twice from CB as Hoffenheim recorded a 3–0 win.
RM: Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Leicester) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Leicester moved out of the relegation zone with a 2–1 away win over Tottenham, who find themselves in seriously poor form. Reid provided the assist on both Leicester goals, picking up MOTM as a result.
CAM: Guus Til (PSV) - 75 OVR -> 86 OVR:
PSV maintained their lead at the top of the Eredivisie as they ground out a 3–2 win over Breda. Guus Til shone in the middle of the park, scoring twice and claiming MOTM.
RM: Celin Bizet (Man United) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The WSL had a few options to select from this week, and while none specifically stood out, it's unlikely the division will miss out. I have opted for Bizet, who provided both a goal and an assist during United's 3–0 win over Brighton.
CAM: Morgan Guilavogui (St. Pauli) - 72 OVR -> 83 OVR:
With the competition between non-golds being so much more fierce than the golds, I can see several sneaking into the bench or even the starting lineup come Wednesday. While Guilavogui may struggle to make the reserves, his Player of the Week performance with two goals and one assist in the Bundesliga is a very difficult one to ignore.
ST: Che Adams (Torino) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Che Adams joined the growing list of Brits playing in Serie A earlier this season, and he has performed relatively well there. Another brace this weekend helped Torino record a 2–0 win, with Adams receiving a 7.5 from Gazzetta.
ST: Rey Manaj (Sivasspor) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The competition between gold strikers was extremely low this week, with those managing two goals being locked in. Menaj was the only one going above that, with both two goals and two assists, making him the easy selection in Turkey this week.
LB: Lucas Brumme (Essen) - 66 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The third tier of Germany has only received two IFs from the opening nineteen weeks, with performances needing to be special to stand out. That is exactly what Brumme has managed here, though, with two goals and an assist helping Essen towards a 5–1 win.
RM: Alimami Gory (Paris) - 68 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The second tier of France has seen an influx of IFs recently, and that trend is likely to continue this week after Gory scored three times from RM as Paris beat Red Star 4–1.
ST: Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth) - 74 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Forest have been praised for their defensive performances all season so far, but Bournemouth embarrassed them this week, scoring five without response. Ouattara was named ST due to injuries to other options, and he repaid that decision by scoring three times.
ST: Grady Diangana (WBA) - 72 OVR -> 83 OVR:
West Brom recorded a convincing 5–1 win over Portsmouth this weekend, with Diangana being heavily involved. With both two goals and two assists, I would be surprised if he misses out on Wednesday.
ST: Semir Telalovic (Ulm) - 62 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Concluding the prediction, we have probably the easiest choice of the week. Telalovic scored four times for Ulm as they managed a 5–1 win over Regensburg.
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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