fozzyfc
TOTWTOTW 23 Predicted Starting XI
TOTW 23 brings you a couple of dream players to pack in Van Dijk and Vini Jr. While the rest of the side is rather underwhelming, there are still inclusions like a featured Malen, a SIF for Brugts, and Tonali, all of whom are more than usable.
GK: Jose Sa (Wolves) - 77 OVR -> 86 OVR:
There were a couple of standout performances from goalkeepers this week, but with limited options from the PL, I find it difficult to ignore Sa, who would also fill the seemingly forced quota of a featured player from the PL. Sa made a total of ten saves as Wolves miraculously scraped a 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest.
LB:Esmee Brugts (Barcelona) - 80 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Brugts has been a consistent threat for Barcelona this season, making the LB role her own. She added another two assists to her tally this weekend as Barcelona secured a comfortable 4-0 win over Eibar. She has been snubbed on a few occasions before, but that SIF has got to happen soon given how she is playing.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool) - 90 OVR -> 91 OVR:
One of the standout options in this week’s side comes with Liverpool’s Van Dijk. The Dutchman has perhaps not been at his usual best for large parts of this season, but that is also down to Liverpool as a whole. The Dutchman is still one of the best in the world in his position, and a stellar performance this weekend likely sees him selected in TOTW. Scoring the only goal of the game, Van Dijk helped Liverpool secure a 1-0 win away at Sunderland.
CB: Lilian Brassier (Rennes) - 76 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Rennes shocked PSG, beating them 3-1 on Friday evening, throwing a spanner into the title race. Rennes will definitely feature in TOTW 23, and looking at L’Équipe’s TOTW, Brassier looks to be the best option. The defender was a wall at the back for them, with L’Équipe awarding him an 8/10, which was the joint highest rating this week.
LM: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
It was only Lookman's third game for Atletico, but his contribution in the Copa Rey can’t be understated. Once again, he provided both a goal and an assist to help Madrid progress, but this time it came against Barcelona. A high-profile win likely results in an IF, especially considering Atletico went on to win this match 4-0!
CDM: Sandro Tonali (Newcastle) - 86 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Another cup fixture now, and while I typically like to avoid these matches, the FA Cup is slightly different, with EA taking account of these matches far more often. Tonali played a key role in Newcastle’s progression from the fourth round, scoring both their goals as they secured a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
CDM: Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Manchester City brushed off that loss to Arsenal and got back to winning ways in style with a 6-0 victory at home to bottom-placed Leicester. With an eight-point lead at the top of the WSL, the title race is still firmly in their hands. Hasegawa has played a key role throughout their season, and with both a goal and an assist this weekend, she looks highly likely for an IF on Wednesday.
LW: Wesley Said (Lens) - 74 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With PSG dropping points on Friday, it gave Lens the opportunity to take the lead in the Ligue 1 title race. It was an opportunity they took with both hands, beating Paris convincingly 5-0. Said stood out, scoring twice from the wing and claiming an 8/10 from L’Équipe for doing so.
RW: Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) - 84 OVR -> 87 OVR:
With the Saudi league seemingly getting an IF inclusion each week, I felt slightly pressured to include one this week. Mahrez was somewhat of a fringe option, but also the best the Saudi division had to offer. The Algerian scored once and assisted another as Al-Ahli recorded a 5-2 away win over Al-Shabab.
ST: Vini Jr (Real Madrid) - 89 OVR -> 91 OVR:
Real Madrid increased their winning streak in La Liga to eight games with a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, ensuring they remain top of the table. Vini Jr scored two of those four, and although they both came from the spot, he went on to receive MOTM. Without a promotional inclusion in a while, that could be enough to see him sneak in here.
ST: Donyell Malen (Roma) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With a featured upgrade, which I expect to happen, Malen could be a very usable option in those Serie A sides. The Dutchman scored twice as Roma managed a 2-2 draw away at Napoli, and although they were unable to secure all three points, with Malen going on to receive an 8/10 from Gazzetta, he is practically nailed on to receive an IF on Wednesday.
TOTW 23 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Edmond Tapsoba (Leverkusen) - 81 OVR -> 85 OVR:
After some poor recent form for Leverkusen, a 4-0 win over St. Pauli secured their third win from four as they continue to climb into European positions. Tapsoba was named MOTM, having scored one of those four goals; however, he is a slight risk due to the number of Bundesliga defender options.
RB: Julian Ryerson (Dortmund) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
It was a simply ludicrous performance from Ryerson this weekend, with Dortmund winning 4-0 against Mainz. The Norwegian defender was directly involved in every goal, providing the assist on all four. It’s a performance that we see occur once every season across all divisions, so I would expect EA to opt for the featured IF here.
CAM:Pedro Neto (Chelsea) - 80 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Back over to the FA Cup now, and with Chelsea's squad depth, even a rotated side is often too strong for lower-league opposition. That proved the case here, with a comfortable 4-0 win for the Premier League outfit. Neto scored three of those four goals, likely securing his position in TOTW 23.
CM: Piotr Zielinski (Inter) - 80 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Inter Milan took another step closer to the Serie A title this weekend with a hard-fought 3-2 win at home against Juventus. Zielinski was named MOTM after his last-minute winner secured all three points. Serie A options were limited this week, but with this being a high-profile fixture, it makes sense to include someone from this match.
CM: Geraldine Reuteler (Frankfurt) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The Frauen Bundesliga addition was as straightforward as they get this week, and although there were a few candidates, none came close to Reuteler. The Swiss international scored three and assisted another from central midfield as Frankfurt secured a 4-1 win over Zeiss Jena.
ST: Issa Soumare (Le Havre) - 72 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Having already established that silver options from the top five leagues often make their way onto the bench this year, Soumare becomes a very strong candidate for this week’s side. He scored both Le Havre goals as they beat Toulouse 2-1 and claimed an 8/10 from L’Équipe for doing so.
ST: Youssef Chermiti (Rangers) - 71 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Hearts have led the Scottish Prem for a while now, but the gap was closed once again after Rangers secured a 4-2 win over them this week. Chermiti scored three of those four, nailing him on for his SIF, and with just a two-point gap at the top now, Hearts will definitely be feeling the pressure.
RB: Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim) - 73 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Hoffenheim returned to winning ways after their loss to Munich ended their streak last week. Coufal provided two assists as they won 3-0 at home to Freiburg, and although there are already a lot of Bundesliga defenders this week, it’s difficult to ignore a player with two attacking returns alongside a clean sheet.
CAM:Fatih Kaya (Wehen) - 70 OVR -> 84 OVR:
The third tier of Germany is not a division that often gets recognition, but with three IFs, it’s obvious that it’s a division EA does take into consideration. Kaya is about to make that four after he recorded five attacking contributions, with four goals and an assist, as Wehen secured a comfortable 6-1 home win.
ST: Junior Brumado (Midtjylland) - 66 OVR -> 84 OVR
Ending the week with your standard hat-trick inclusions. Firstly, Brumado, who scored three times for Midtjylland in their 4-1 away win at Odense. If EA do opt to ignore one, I would expect it to be Brumado.
ST: Colm Whelan (Bohemians) - 59 OVR -> 84 OVR:
I completely overlooked the Irish division last week and was surprised to see one included. This week, another looks in line for an IF, with Whelan scoring three times for Bohemians as they beat Sligo 4-0 away from home.
ST: Mohamed Toure (Norwich) - 68 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Toure has hit the ground running for Norwich, scoring in all three matches he’s played so far. The IF comes from his second appearance for the club, in which he scored three times as Norwich won 3-0 away against Oxford.
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!