TOTW 23 Predicted Starting XI
The Premier League returns, but it’s the featured options that stand out this week, with both Antony and Minamino looking like very usable options. Outside of those two, we have an SIF for both Benzema and Diani, while a 14-minute hat trick for Marmoush also sees him included.
GK: Vasilios Barkas (Utrecht) - 74 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The goalkeeper selection was one of the hardest I have had to make this year, with even the safe Ligue 1 and Bundesliga options failing to deliver. Although Barkas conceded twice, his performance shouldn’t be overlooked. With a ridiculous fifteen saves to his name, he was named MOTM with an 8/10 from VI.
CB: Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Another 1-1 draw for Atlético won’t help their title charge, but with Madrid also dropping points, it’s not the end of the world. Giménez provided an assist and was named MOTM.
CB: James Tarkowski (Everton) - 80 OVR -> 85 OVR:
A dramatic Merseyside derby ended with a stunning goal from Tarkowski, levelling the score during the final moments of the match. Everton look completely different since the return of Moyes, with this result being further proof of that.
CB: Jonathan Tah (Leverkusen) - 86 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Munich will be far happier with this result than Leverkusen, with the eight-point gap at the top of the table remaining due to a 0-0 draw. Leverkusen controlled the match throughout but couldn’t capitalise on that dominance. Tah was named MOTM with a perfect 1/10 match rating, likely seeing his inclusion in TOTW 23.
LM: Omar Marmoush (Man City) - 79 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Due to Marmoush's form over the first half of the season with Frankfurt, it looks like we are in line for a very good City version already. The Egyptian scored a 14-minute hat-trick this weekend as City returned to their best, playing Newcastle off the park to secure a 4-0 win.
RM: Kadidiatou Diani (PSG) - 88 OVR -> 90 OVR:
There’s a decent argument for Bacha’s inclusion here after she provided two assists, but I just can’t ignore a hat trick, despite it being from a more advanced position on the pitch. Lyon ran riot, putting seven past Guingamp without response.
CM: Takumi Minamino (Monaco) - 79 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Another player I expect to receive a featured upgrade this week is Minamino. Monaco were completely dominant when hosting Nantes this weekend, beating them 7-1. Biereth scored a hat-trick, but with a recent TOTW, it's Minamino who gets the nod for his goal and two assists.
RM: Antony (Real Betis) - 77 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Since making the move to Betis, Antony's performances have been sublime, with the Brazilian making the difference game after game. His latest performance saw him provide both a goal and an assist as Real Betis went on to beat Sociedad 3-0.
ST: Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) - 86 OVR -> 88 OVR:
The Saudi inclusion this week is likely between Benzema and Duran, but with Duran being snubbed last week, it seems as though EA are not desperate to pursue that route. Benzema is probably the better option as well, after scoring once and assisting another two during a 4-0 win.
ST: Mikel Merino (Arsenal) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Striker crisis? What striker crisis? Up stepped Mikel Merino to a position he has not played in his professional career with the scores level and twenty minutes to go. It turned out to be a masterstroke from Arteta, with Merino going on to score twice, securing a 2-0 win over Leicester.
ST: Amine Gouiri (Marseille) - 78 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Gouiri is quickly becoming a fan favourite for Marseille. Just three games in, and the Algerian has provided in every match for them. A 5-1 win this weekend saw Gouiri score twice, claiming MOTM with an 8/10 from L'Équipe.
TOTW 23 Predicted Subs & Reserves
LB: Ismaily (Lille) - 78 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Ismaily received the joint-highest match rating of the week from L'Equipe with an 8/10. With no attacking contributions to his name, this is a testament to how well he played during Lille's 2-0 win over Rennes.
CDM: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth) - 76 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The chance of seeing European football for Bournemouth next season continues to increase, while Champions League football is still not out of the picture. A 3-1 win over Southampton was their latest source of points, with Christie excelling in the middle of the park, with both a goal and an assist to his name.
RM: Dan Ndoye (Bologna) - 75 OVR -> 87 OVR:
With a lot of low-scoring matches taking place in Serie A, the selections from the division this week were difficult to make. One player that stood out, however, was Ndoye. The Swiss winger scored twice for Bologna as they recorded a 3-2 win over Torino.
CM: Juanlu Sanchez (Sevilla) - 72 OVR -> 87 OVR:
With three featured IFs each week, it gives EA the perfect opportunity to involve lower-rated cards from the top five leagues and turn them into a new usable player. Juanlu Sanchez looks to be a great option for that after the Spaniard played an alternate position in CM. Scoring twice and assisting another, the Spaniard stood out during Sevilla's 4-0 win.
CM: Jill Roord (Man City) - 86 OVR -> 88 OVR:
The Women’s Super League will likely receive an IF this week, but there is no obvious option. Man City's 4-0 win over Liverpool stands out to me, so I have opted to go with that match. Roord both scored and assisted during the win, making her the likely candidate.
ST: Georgios Masouras (Bochum) - 75 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Masouras was named Player of the Week in Germany after Bochum recorded a shock 2-0 win over Dortmund, with Masouras scoring both of those goals. What a way to make a name for yourself after signing from Olympiakos during the January transfer window.
ST: Giovanna Hofmann (Leipzig) - 78 OVR -> 85 OVR:
It looks as though Leipzig are in line for back-to-back IFs, with Fudalla last week and now Hoffmann seemingly likely. Her two goals and one assist helped Leipzig secure another 4-1 victory, this time over Potsdam.
LB: Josema (Gornik Zabrze) - 64 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Although Gornik conceded twice, more often than not, a defender with two goals to their name ends up in EA's TOTW. The Spaniard's double was vital, with Gornik edging out a 3-2 win.
CM: Alan (Moreirense) - 72 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Although two of Alan's three goals came from the spot, a hat-trick is still a hat-trick, and I can't see that being ignored in a division such as the Portuguese league. His goals were vital, with Moreirense winning 3-2.
RW: Jacobo (Cordoba) - 65 OVR -> 85 OVR:
It could be back-to-back IFs for the second division of Spanish football after Jacobo scored twice and assisted another from the wing. Córdoba went on to win the match 3-2.
ST: Ianis Stoica (Hermannstadt) - 67 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Stoica was crucial for Hermannstadt as they scraped a 3-2 win over Sepsi. The Romanian scored all three of his side's goals as he looks to make it a third IF for the Romanian division this year.
ST: Patrick Mortensen (AGF) - 72 OVR -> 85 OVR:
This week saw the return of the Danish division. Mortensen hit the ground running, scoring three times during AGF's 4-1 away win. EA often opt for players from returning divisions; thankfully, that decision was an easy one this week.
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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