TOTW 21 Predicted Starting XI
There were some big results across Europe this weekend, with both Leeds and Nottingham Forest scoring seven without response and Arsenal beating Man City 5-1. As a result, some big names feature in TOTW 21, with the likes of Dembele, Rice, and Muani headlining this prediction.
GK: Andrea Tarazona (Levante) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
For the first time this season, Barcelona dropped points in the league. Levante actually won the match 2-1 despite a late scare, and this could be a vital three points in their survival come the end of the season. Tarazona was phenomenal between the sticks, making a total of eleven saves.
LB: Sergi Cardona (Valencia) - 79 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Defensive options are scarce this week, so I can overlook Cardona not being named MOTM. His two attacking contributions from left-back make him hard to ignore. Villarreal went on to win 5-1 with ease.
CB: Stefan de Vrij (Inter) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The Milan derby often results in an IF being awarded by EA, and this looks set to be no different. De Vrij scored a last-minute equaliser to claim a 1-1 away draw with their rivals. The Dutchman was then named MOTM, which all but secures his spot this week.
CB: Waldemar Anton (Dortmund) - 81 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The Bundesliga always receives a few IFs, but the options this week were practically none. I have had to take a punt on a couple, the first being Anton. The German was named MOTM after providing an assist during their 2-1 win over Heidenheim. It was an average match rating, but someone has to get in from the Bundesliga.
LM: Luis Rioja (Valencia) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Valencia secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo, with both Rioja and Guerra scoring and assisting. While either player could make TOTW, I’m leaning towards Rioja due to his MOTM performance and the limited options for wide players.
CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
A lot can change in a few months. When these teams last played, Haaland's "stay humble" comment was the talking point post-match. Arsenal have had the final laugh, though, beating them 5-1 this weekend. Rice seems to be the favourite for the IF, having provided two assists and claimed MOTM with a 9/10.
CDM: Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Over to Arsenal's female side now, and once again, they recorded a win over Manchester City, this time edging out a seven-goal thriller, 4-3. Caldentey provided both a goal and an assist from CDM, making her a strong candidate for TOTW 21.
LM: Steven Bergwijn (Al-Ittihad) - 79 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Since his move to Saudi Arabia, Bergwijn has established himself as a key figure for Al-Ittihad. His two goals this weekend were crucial in securing a 4-3 victory. With seven goals and six assists to his name this season, could we see Bergwijn making a return to Europe?
ST: Ousmane Dembele (PSG) - 86 OVR -> 89 OVR:
With Dembélé receiving his SIF in TOTW 18, this does pose a risk with the gap being just three weeks. However, after Dembélé scored a hat-trick, I find him difficult to ignore. Now that we are deep into the game cycle, I feel that EA can start making more exceptions for these types of scenarios.
ST: Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) - 76 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Another player who could receive a TIF this week is Chris Wood. The Forest striker continues to excel in this overachieving side, scoring three times during a colossal 7-0 win over Brighton. Elanga is another option with three assists, but it's hard to look past Wood, who also claimed MOTM.
ST: Kolo Muani (Juventus) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
With Muani struggling to make an impact for PSG, he was linked with various clubs during the January transfer window. Juventus ended up securing him on a loan basis, and the goals have begun to flow since—scoring one on his debut before adding two more this weekend. He was named MOTM with a 7.5, and if he continues to perform this way, what a coup for Juventus this will be.
TOTW 21 Predicted Subs & Reserves
RB: Jill Janssen (Hoffenheim) - 70 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Hoffenheim could feature in TOTW for the second week in a row, with Janssen joining the ranks of defenders who have scored twice for them. This came during another 3-0 win, following an unusual positional change.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum (Al-Ettifaq) - 78 OVR -> 86 OVR:
This could be a strong featured IF if EA decides to go down that route, and given Wijnaldum's strong connection with Liverpool, I believe they will make that move. The Dutchman scored twice and provided an assist as Al-Ettifaq triumphed 3-1 over Al-Shabab.
CM: Adrien Thomasson (Lens) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
The Ligue 1 candidates were the easiest to select this week, with three standout performances. Thomasson was one of them, earning an 8/10 for his pair of assists in Lens' 2-0 away win over Montpellier.
CM: Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen) - 75 OVR -> 83 OVR:
As mentioned earlier, the Bundesliga selections were mostly punts. The second player I’ve opted for is Schmid. The highest rating of the week was just a 2, which Schmid also earned for scoring the only goal in Bremen's 1-0 win.
ST: Martijn Kaars (Magdeburg) - 66 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With only a two-week gap since his previous IF, this is entirely in EA's hands. Prior to this week, the minimum gap was four weeks, so there's a risk Kaars could miss out despite his stunning performance against Schalke. Scoring four goals, he led Magdeburg to a 5-2 victory.
ST: Mika Biereth (Monaco) - 68 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Before this season, Biereth was an unknown name, but his goalscoring form in Austria caught the attention of several clubs. He joined Monaco in January and shows no signs of slowing down. Three goals this weekend helped Monaco to a 4-2 home win, as Biereth's stock continues to rise.
ST:Jean Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
It feels like a distant memory that Palace were battling relegation, as their recent form has lifted them up the table to sit 13 points clear in 12th. A Mateta brace helped them secure all three points with a 2-0 win over United.
LB: Junior Firpo (Leeds) - 73 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Leeds look destined for the Premier League after narrowly missing out last season. Their 7-0 win over Cardiff this weekend highlights their current form. Firpo provided three assists during the dominant performance.
LM: Azeem Abdulai (Leyton Orient) - 60 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Sticking with the English leagues, we move to Leyton Orient, where Azeem Abdulai scored a hat trick and provided an assist in their comfortable 6-2 win over Exeter.
LW: Alexandru Mitrita (Craiova) - 73 OVR -> 83 OVR:
This position is up for debate, with several options potentially filling the spot. I’ve chosen Mitrita after he scored twice and provided an assist, earning a perfect 10 match rating.
ST: Larissa Muhlhaus (Werder Bremen) - 70 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Ending the prediction, we have a couple of hat-tricks, the first being Muhlhaus, who scored three times for Werder Bremen as they beat Potsdam 4-1 away from home.
ST: Krzysztof Piatek (Basaksehir) - 74 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Piatek never really lived up to the hype surrounding him while playing his trade for AC Milan, but his goalscoring ability is still there. Three goals this weekend take his season total to 18 from just 20 matches.
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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