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TOTWTOTW 25 Predicted Starting XI
Some standout names headline TOTW 25, with Yamal scoring three times for Barcelona, Martinez scoring twice to secure a second upgrade, a potential title-deciding goal for Kimmich, and a third IF for Ekitike all potentially occurring on Wednesday.
GK: Nikola Vasilj (St. Pauli) - 77 OVR -> 86 OVR:
There was only one real choice when it came to the goalkeeper this week, and that’s Vasilj. Making a total of eleven saves, the Bosnian seemed unbeatable this weekend. He was named Keeper of the Week in Germany, and with that standout number of saves, I find it difficult to see EA excluding him.
LB: Rayan Ait-Nouri (Man City) - 81 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Ait-Nouri has found gametime difficult to come by this season for City, with a lot of contention for that LB role. Still chasing Arsenal, all City have to do is keep winning matches. This weekend saw them scrape a 1-0 win over Leeds. Ait-Nouri provided the assist for a Semenyo goal and, with an 8/10 from Sky, seems a viable option as a result.
CB: Kevin Diks (Gladbach) - 74 OVR -> 86 OVR:
After a poor run of form, it was crucial that Gladbach started to pick up some points with a relegation battle on the horizon. Diks scored a last-minute penalty to secure all three points at home against Union Berlin, claiming Kicker MOTM as a result and potentially a SIF to follow.
LB: Inigo Martinez (Al-Nassr) - 85 OVR -> 87 OVR:
The Saudi league IF can often cause some selection headaches, but it seems straightforward this weekend with Martinez finding the back of the net twice from LB during their 5-0 away win over Al-Najma. Now on a ten-game winning streak, Al-Nassr are firmly the title favourites.
RM: Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart) - 75 OVR -> 87 OVR:
The first of two TIFs I have predicted this week is Stuttgart's Leweling. The German has been a standout performer throughout the season, adding another two goals to his tally this weekend during a 4-0 home win over Wolfsburg, taking his seasonal total to seven goals and seven assists.
CAM: Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) - 80 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Onto the inevitable featured player from the Premier League. Brentford played out an enthralling 4-3 away win against Burnley on Saturday, with Damsgaard being the key player throughout. Scoring twice and providing an assist from CAM, his position in this week’s side is nailed on.
CDM: Joshua Kimmich (Munich) - 89 OVR -> 90 OVR:
If Dortmund had any hope of battling for the title this season, it was crucial they picked up points during their top-of-the-table clash with Munich this weekend. The scores were level heading into the final stages of the match, but a late Kimmich volley changed everything. Now sitting eleven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga as a result of that Kimmich strike, the division looks all but settled.
RW: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) - 89 OVR -> 90 OVR:
The standout player in this week’s prediction is, of course, Lamine Yamal. The Barcelona wonderkid shone this weekend, scoring three times as Barcelona secured an important win over fourth-placed Villarreal. This would be the Spaniard’s fifth special card, but ultimately his first IF, which means there’s no risk of exclusion on that basis.
RM: Jesus Rodriguez (Como) - 74 OVR -> 86 OVR:
In just their second season in Italy's top flight, Como look set to secure European football for the first time in the club’s history. Their latest three points came via a 3-1 home win over Lecce, with Rodriguez scoring once and providing an assist, earning a 7.5 match rating from Gazzetta.
ST: Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) - 83 OVR -> 88 OVR:
It’s rare that strikers are an issue in terms of TOTW predictions, but that was the case this week with a small pool to choose from. So while there is a risk with Ekitike due to IF proximity, with a goal and two assists to his name he becomes very difficult to ignore.
ST: Bamba Dieng (Lorient) - 71 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With five featured players now being included in EA's side, the inclusion of silver to gold is going to be even more prominent than it already was. Dieng should benefit from a lack of attacking options after he scored twice to feature in L’Équipe's TOTW following a 2-2 draw with Auxerre.
TOTW 25 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Strahinja Pavlovic (AC Milan) - 76 OVR -> 84 OVR:
With AC Milan now sitting ten points behind rivals Inter Milan, it seems the Serie A title race is a forgone conclusion. All AC can do now is keep winning their matches. This weekend saw them secure a 2-0 away win over Cremonese, with central defender Pavlovic scoring one of those two goals and claiming MOTM.
CB: Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor) - 70 OVR -> 84 OVR:
There were three or four Turkish league options this week which seemed realistic. Despite a high number of defensive options already, I opted for Nwaiwu. The Nigerian defender scored twice for Trabzonspor as they recorded a 3-1 home win.
LM: Igor Paixao (Marseille) - 80 OVR -> 85 OVR:
As for where Paixao played after coming off the bench, that is up for debate, but with L’Équipe putting him on the left side, I am happy to opt for that position. The Brazilian was named Player of the Week in Ligue 1 after scoring once and providing an assist during Marseille’s 3-2 win over Lyon.
CM: Joao Gomes (Wolves) - 78 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Wolves officially confirmed this weekend that they won't be taking that unwanted points total record. That came after they recorded their second win of the season, a shock 2-0 victory over Aston Villa. Gomes stood out in the match, scoring one of the goals and earning a 9/10 from Sky for his performance.
CM: Fares Chaibi (Frankfurt) - 74 OVR -> 84 OVR:
There were several players who made this side for their performances from the bench, and another of those is Chaibi. The Algerian scored once and assisted another to secure Frankfurt a 2-0 victory over Freiburg.
ST: Carlos Espi (Levante) - 68 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Further continuation of that trend comes with Espi coming off the bench to score twice for Levante as they beat Alaves 2-0. I’ve already mentioned the lack of striker options this week, so another route in for EA would be a featured IF here.
ST: Luis Suarez (Sporting) - 77 OVR -> 84 OVR:
I’m in awe that we are still without an IF Suarez this year. The Colombian added another two goals to his tally this weekend, taking his seasonal total to 22 in 23 games, yet remarkably he is still without an IF this game. Could this finally be the week?
CB: Tristan Crama (Millwall) - 68 OVR -> 84 OVR:
There were a plethora of non-gold defenders in contention this week, with some who would usually be nailed on missing out as a result. For me, the best option simply has to be Crama. The Championship often receives a player in TOTW, and with a goal, two assists, and a clean sheet for Crama, he’s a no-brainer.
LM: Michael Duffy (Derry) - 67 OVR -> 84 OVR:
The Irish division picked up a random IF but has since been snubbed on a couple of occasions. Once again there’s an option which on paper looks a certainty, but there is a risk of Duffy being overlooked. That being said, after scoring three and assisting another during a 4-2 win, in terms of a prediction Duffy has to be included.
RM: Mohamed Ihattaren (Fortuna) - 71 OVR -> 84 OVR:
There were a couple of strong candidates from the Eredivisie this week, and I expect the division to see an inclusion as a result. After Ihattaren was named Player of the Week by VI, the decision became significantly easier. He was involved in all three Fortuna goals, scoring once and providing two assists as they battled to a 3-2 away win over NEC.
RM: Telasco Segovia (Inter Miami) - 69 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Messi continues to steal the show at Inter Miami, with two goals helping secure their first win of the season. It’s teammate Segovia, however, whom I am opting for in TOTW. With a goal and two assists from RM, he was heavily involved during their 4-2 away win over Orlando.
ST: David McGoldrick (Barnsley) - 65 OVR -> 84 OVR:
There was just the two silver hat-tricks this week, something which is almost unheard of. That makes McGoldrick's position in this side nailed on. Scoring all three of Barnley’s goals, he led them to a 3-1 away win over relegation candidates Leyton Orient.
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!