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TOTWTOTW 22 Predicted Starting XI
With the full starting eleven potentially being 87 rated or higher, this week looks to be one of the best we have seen in a long time. With players such as Carreras, Diaz, Dembele and Malcom all likely to be included, it’s time to open any packs you have saved up!
GK: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
We start the week as we mean to go on, with a very high-rated TOTW, something we have not seen often recently. There were only a few goalkeepers in contention this week, and none particularly stood out over the others, but after Martinez received a 9/10 from Sky, I find him difficult to ignore. Despite not keeping a clean sheet, he was pivotal during Villa's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.
LB: Alvaro Carreras (Real Madrid) - 80 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Carreras is one of the most popular LBs in the game this season, and another promotional card could be set to occur on Wednesday. That is after the Spaniard scored one of Real Madrid's two goals as they won 2-0 away at Valencia. His match rating was mediocre, but EA likes to include a couple of IFs from La Liga, and therefore someone is likely to be forced in. I can see that being Carreras.
CB: Manuel Akanji (Inter) - 82 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Inter Milan cruised to a 5-0 away win over Sassuolo as they look to extend their lead at the top of Serie A. Several players were in contention for a spot in TOTW 22, primarily Dimarco, but the Italian is ruled out due to a recent TOTW inclusion. Akanji is the next best option, having scored and kept a clean sheet during those comfortable three points.
CB: Pierre Kalulu (Juventus) - 80 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Another likely popular option within the defence now with Kalulu. The Frenchman scored a last-minute equaliser as Juventus deservedly secured a point against Lazio. The Italian giants looked destined to lose despite their statistical domination prior to Kalulu's last-gasp goal.
LM: Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
With six straight wins under their belt, it was important that Munich put a stop to that run, especially without a win in two themselves, to avoid Hoffenheim entering the title race. Munich put out a statement, though, winning 5-1 and firmly confirming themselves as title favourites. Diaz scored three of those five goals, claiming Kicker Player of the Week for doing so.
CAM: Cole Palmer (Chelsea) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
It’s been a slow start to the season for Palmer by his standards, and that’s down to various reasons. We saw him back at his best against Wolves this weekend, though, with the Englishman scoring yet another first-half Premier League hat trick for Chelsea, who are now on a four-game winning streak as they continue to push up the table.
CM: Bernardo Silva (Man City) - 84 OVR -> 87 OVR:
With Man City beating Liverpool in dramatic late fashion in what was probably the biggest game of the weekend, I would be shocked if EA don't opt to include an IF from this match. Although Haaland provided both a goal and an assist, it was Silva who claimed MOTM for his goal and all-round solid performance, and with the Norwegian already heavily featuring within promotions, I would expect Silva to be the player getting the nod here.
RW: Malcom (Al-Hilal) - 82 OVR -> 88 OVR:
With just a four-week gap between potential Benzema IFs and a lot of striker options available, I just can't see the Frenchman making the side this week. Thankfully, there was another strong candidate from the same match in Malcom. The Brazilian scored once and assisted another three as Al-Hilal dominated Al-Okhdood, winning 6-0.
ST:Ousmane Dembele (PSG) - 90 OVR -> 91 OVR:
PSG dominated the latest fixture of Le Classique, scoring five times without response. Several players excelled, but none more than their talisman, Dembele. The Frenchman scored twice and assisted another during the 5-0 victory to claim POTW from L’Équipe with a 9/10 match rating.
ST: Mathilde Bourdieu (Marseille) - 81 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Marseille's female side had much more success, however, coming away with a 4-2 away win over Strasbourg. Bourdieu scored all four goals, making her the obvious choice this week as the division continues to receive an IF each week, deservedly so this time.
ST: Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Ending a high-profile three, we have Gyokeres. The Swede has struggled for large parts of his first season with Arsenal, but recent performances have really picked up. Coming off the bench this weekend, he scored twice to help secure a 3-0 win over Sunderland.
TOTW 22 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Grace Fisk (Liverpool) - 75 OVR -> 84 OVR:
There were minimal options from the WSL this week, but I would still expect the division to feature, and with a lack of defensive options available it makes sense to look in that direction to hit two quotas. Fisk was named MOTM during Liverpool's 4-1 win over Villa, scoring one of those four goals from CB.
CM: Christoph Baumgartner (Leipzig) - 77 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Based on Kicker’s TOTW, there are only really two Bundesliga candidates this week, and both I expect to feature as a result. Baumgartner is the second, with Kicker awarding the Austrian a 1.5 match rating for his brace during Leipzig's 2-1 win over Köln.
CAM: Ricardo Horta (Braga) - 81 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Horta has picked up some serious form recently, and it's having a direct impact on Braga's results. He was heavily involved this weekend, scoring twice as Braga secured a 3-0 win over Rio Ave, making it four wins on the bounce for the Portuguese side.
CAM: Guruzeta (Athletic Club) - 79 OVR -> 84 OVR:
After six consecutive league fixtures without a win, Athletic Club finally got a victory under their belt with a 4-2 home win over Levante. Guruzeta played a key role in those three points, scoring twice from CAM, which saw him awarded MOTM as a result.
RM: Dango Ouattara (Brentford) - 77 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With EA giving out four featured IFs per week and all six previous weeks containing a Premier League featured player, I can’t see that ending here, making Dango a great option. The midfielder both scored and assisted as Brentford secured a narrow 3-2 away win over Newcastle.
CAM: Vicky Lopez (Barcelona) - 80 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The final featured spot this week could go to Barcelona's Vicky Lopez. Barcelona have been a side to receive a lot of love from EA, and with the division almost nailed on to receive an IF each week, this looks to be a strong route to take. Lopez provided both a goal and an assist as the league leaders took yet another three points via a 3-0 win away at DUX.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund (Napoli) - 76 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Rasmus Hojlund struggled to get going for Manchester United, much like many players have, but since returning to Italy he has played a key role for Napoli as they continue to compete at the top end of the table. The Dane added another two to his tally this week, helping to secure a 3-2 away win over Genoa.
CB: Miguel Freckleton (St. Mirren) - 58 OVR -> 84 OVR:
St. Mirren delivered a huge blow to Hearts' title hopes this week with a shock 1-0 victory over the league leaders. Freckleton scored the only goal of the game, and with EA continuing to include players for big upsets, I can see Freckleton sneaking into TOTW 22 as a result.
CAM: Florin Tanase (FCSB) - 70 OVR -> 84 OVR:
The Romanian division was snubbed last week, but with a couple of very strong contenders for TOTW 22, I highly doubt we see the same occur here. Boateng misses out for me, as I can’t see the division getting two in one week, and Tanase is easily the best option after recording four goal involvements, with one goal of his own alongside three assists during FCSB's 4-1 away win.
LM: Kyrell Lisbie (Peterborough) - 60 OVR -> 84 OVR:
League 1 was another division with a couple of strong contenders, but once again I expect just the one to sneak into the side. Lisbie should end up being that player after he scored three times from LM during Peterborough's convincing 6-1 home win over Wigan as they get back to winning ways in impressive fashion.
LM: Clayton Taylor (Newcastle Jets) - 64 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Another hat trick now, this time over in Australia. Newcastle Jets made it six consecutive league victories as they make their way to the top of the A-League. Taylor scored all three of their goals during their latest victory, a hard-fought 3-2 away win over Adelaide.
ST:Ignacio Russo (Tigre) - 67 OVR -> 84 OVR:
The Argentine division has surprisingly crept into TOTW on a few occasions this season, largely being a difficult division to select from. Russo looks to be a strong contender for this week’s side, though, with Tigre shocking River Plate to win 4-1 away from home. Russo scored twice and assisted another within that match.
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!