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TOTWTOTW 21 Predicted Starting XI
With several phenomenal displays over the course of the past seven days, we look at those best performances likely to be included in TOTW 21 by EA. Headlining the prediction, we have Solanke's scorpion-inspired brace, Fernandez's comeback-winning goal, and Bremer's double to continue Juventus' resurgence.
GK: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Carnesecchi put in the performance of a lifetime this weekend as Atalanta travelled to Como. The Italian made save after save to keep the scores level, despite having ten men since the eighth minute of the match. It all looked to be for nothing with Como being awarded a penalty in the 98th minute, but up stepped Carnesecchi, who made yet another save to secure a huge point away from home.
CB: Luka Vuskovic (HSV) - 72 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Despite still being in the early stages of his career, Vuskovic has proven his attacking threat with seven goals last season in Belgium before making the move to the Bundesliga with HSV. His fourth of the campaign came during HSV's 2-2 draw with Munich, causing another upset for the league leaders. Once again, I expect an IF to occur for taking points off Munich, with Vuskovic being the obvious choice here.
CB: Bremer (Juventus) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Juventus continued their strong recent form with a 4-1 away win over Parma on Sunday. Central defender Bremer found himself playing a large role in that success with two goals from the back. Gazzetta then went on to award him MOTM with an 8/10, a score which rarely goes on to be ignored.
CB: Denis Zakaria (Monaco) - 82 OVR -> 86 OVR:
We had to take a punt with Ligue 1 this week, which offered practically nothing. I would expect it to be a defensive option which makes EA's side, but as to who that could be is a lottery. My punt is Zakaria, who played a deeper CB role this week, claiming a 7/10 from L’Equipe, making him the only gold defender to do so.
RM: Andrei Cordea (CFR Cluj) - 69 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With yet another featured inclusion for the Romanian division last week, it’s clear that the division is highly recognised by EA. Cordea already has an IF to his name, but he looks likely to double that number on Wednesday. With two goals and one assist, Cordea led Cluj to a 4-2 home win.
CM: Casemiro (Man United) - 80 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Casemiro was pivotal in Manchester United's dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Fulham at Old Trafford, scoring the opener with a powerful header from Bruno Fernandes' free-kick in the 19th minute before delivering an outrageous no-look pass for Matheus Cunha's second goal midway through the second half. The Brazilian midfielder dominated was not named MOTM from Sky but with Fernandes ruled out due to proximity, Casemiro stands a real chance here.
CM: Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) - 84 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Enzo Fernandez scored the match-winner in Chelsea's stunning 3-2 comeback against West Ham at Stamford Bridge, capping a historic turnaround from 2-0 down at halftime with a clinical 90+2' winner. With eight goals and two assists this season its perhaps surprising that this could be set for only his first promotional inclusion of the game.
RM: Noni Madueke (Arsenal) - 80 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Arsenal had been showing signs of slowing down but that purple patch looks to be fully behind them now and another comfortable win occurred this weekend, scoring four without response against Leeds. Madueke, who was a last-minute addition to the matchday lineup, excelled, claiming MOTM for his goal and assist.
ST: Caroline Weir (Real Madrid) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
While both Weir's goals came from the spot, she was key during Real Madrid's 4-2 win over Deportivo with two goals and an assist. Ten points adrift from league leaders Barcelona, the title looks already decided, but Madrid will still keep that glimmer of hope, providing they keep winning.
ST: Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) - 83 OVR -> 87 OVR:
With Liverpool recording a comfortable 4-1 win over Newcastle, it looks as though they are starting to pick up some momentum as they look to put that poor run of form behind them. Both Ekitike and Wirtz shone during the victory, but with Wirtz in dangerous proximity to his previous IF, I have opted for Ekitike's brace to be included on Wednesday.
ST:Dominic Solanke (Tottenham) - 80 OVR -> 87 OVR:
With City going into the halfway point two up and in full control, not many would have foreseen a Tottenham comeback. That is exactly what occurred though, with some Solanke brilliance helping secure a point for Spurs, scoring both their goals with the second being a simply ridiculous scorpion kick.
TOTW 21 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Martina Fernandez (Everton) - 68 OVR -> 86 OVR:
There were several non-gold defender candidates this week, and while we saw several make EA's side last week, I wouldn't expect that to continuously occur. One I do expect to see in their side, however, is Fernandez. The Spanish defender scored twice from the back as Everton secured a 2-1 win at home to Villa.
RM: Chris Willock (Cardiff) - 72 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Cardiff look destined to return to the Championship this season, sitting on sixty points from their opening twenty-nine matches, leaving them eight points above the play-offs. It was a comfortable 4-0 win against Barnsley this week, with Willock excelling with two goals and an assist.
CDM: Nicolas Madsen (QPR) - 71 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Coventry looked set to run away with the Championship, but the past month has been one to forget for them, and now automatic promotion is even in question for them. QPR were the latest side to take points from them, with Madsen obtaining both a goal and an assist to lead QPR to a 2-1 win.
RM: Kerolin Nicoli (Manchester City) - 80 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The title race is practically a foregone conclusion now, with Manchester City convincingly beating Chelsea 5-1 this weekend. Nicoli was the star player, with the Brazilian scoring three of those five goals. There were a few candidates from the WSL this week and, should EA remain with the usual one per week from the division, it’s Nicoli who I expect to be included.
ST: Gerard Moreno (Villarreal) - 81 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Much like Ligue 1, La Liga was also very difficult to include this week. Moreno is the only serious contender after he scored twice during Villarreal's 2-2 draw with Osasuna. Not the best candidate, but the division inevitably features, so we have to include at least one option.
ST: Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
While Guirassy is a high-rated player for the bench, with four high-rated strikers excelling this week, I don't think it’s impossible to see all make the side. Guirassy fired a quickfire brace to help secure Dortmund all three points via a 3-2 win over Heidenheim.
ST: Michael Gregoritsch (Augsburg) - 75 OVR -> 84 OVR:
We conclude the substitutes with Bundesliga's player of the week. Gregoritsch returned to Augsburg for another stint at the club recently, and he showed exactly why the club loves him so much. Scoring twice, he led Augsburg to a 2-1 home win over St. Pauli.
GK: Bernardo (Tondela) - 68 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Tondela came into their match with Benfica as huge underdogs, and that’s exactly how the match played out. One man stood in their way, however, with Bernardo making save after save to keep his clean sheet intact, in turn securing a shock point via a 0-0 draw.
CAM: Ben Thompson (Bromley) - 63 OVR -> 84 OVR:
The EFL have always seen a lot of love from EA, with even as low down as League 2 receiving a lot of IFs. Another looks set to be on the way this week, with Thompson being involved in all four Bromley goals during their 4-1 away win over Gillingham, scoring three of his own alongside providing the assist on the other.
ST: Eileen Campbell (Union Berlin) - 74 OVR -> 84 OVR:
The Frauen Bundesliga is a division which often finds itself included within EA's side, and I expect that to be the same again this week. Campbell looks nailed on after she scored twice and assisted another during Union Berlin's 4-2 away win over Essen.
ST: Tommaso Biasci (Avellino) - 68 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Serie B is a division which has rarely featured in TOTW, with just three going their way so far this game. When considering that there were minimal hat tricks occurring this week, it seems highly likely that we see that number rise to four on Wednesday, though, with the Italian scoring all three during an impressive 3-1 home win over Cesena.
ST: Carlos Junior (Al Shabab) - 73 OVR -> 84 OVR:
With it becoming blatantly obvious that EA will not award Toney a promotional inclusion, I have opted to ignore his hat trick this week. Another Saudi league player scoring three was Carlos Junior, and I do expect that hat trick to be included. Al-Shabab ran away with a 4-0 away win, largely thanks to Junior’s treble.
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!