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TOTWTOTW 26 Predicted Starting XI
FA Cup progression, some crazy World Cup qualification scores, and crucial results at both ends of the table dominate this week’s side. Headlining TOTW 26, we have Sarr, Marmoush, and Savic.
GK: Martin Vandevoordt (Leipzig) - 76 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Time and time again this season, EA have opted for the goalkeeper who has saved a penalty. Vandevoordt fits the bill this week, having made five saves in total, one of which was from the spot, to secure Leipzig all three points via a 2-1 win over Augsburg. Kicker awarded him an impressive 1.5 match rating, which likely sees him included come Wednesday.
RB:Lucy Bronze (Chelsea) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
There were World Cup qualification matches taking place in the women’s game this week, and some crazy results occurred. I have limited the inclusions in this side, however, as I only expect two or three to make EA’s eventual side. One of those I feel will be Lucy Bronze. She provided both a goal and an assist from RB as England beat Iceland 2-0.
CB: Thilo Kehrer (Monaco) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Monaco shocked PSG this weekend, securing a 3-1 away win over the league leaders just as it looked like they were taking control of the division. Several Monaco players ended up in L’Équipe’s TOTW, but none received a higher rating than Kehrer with an 8/10, and ultimately I expect him to be the player making his way into TOTW 26.
LB: Pervis Estupinan (AC Milan) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Inter Milan could have practically secured the title with a win over rivals AC Milan this weekend, but AC had other ideas, with an Estupinan strike being the only goal of the game. While the title race is still firmly in Inter's hands, this will give AC some hope heading into the final weeks. Estupinan was one of the easiest selections this week.
RW: Alexander Prass (Hoffenhem) - 74 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Prass is a highly versatile player for Hoffenheim and can put in a shift over multiple positions. He was given the RW role this weekend away at Heidenheim and was named MOTM with a 1.5 from Kicker after scoring two of their four goals during the 4-2 win.
CM: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al-Hilal) - 84 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Al-Hilal took a while to click into gear against bottom-of-the-table Al-Najma this weekend but eventually cruised to a 4-0 home win in the Saudi Pro League. Sergej Milinković-Savić was the driving force, providing an assist for Benzema before smashing home the fourth goal himself in the 86th minute to put the game to bed. Simakan was also a strong candidate, but with so many defensive options already I opted for SMS instead.
CDM: Elliot Anderson (CNottingham Forest) - 80 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Nottingham Forest picked up a vital point in their relegation battle by holding Manchester City to a 2-2 draw at the Etihad. Elliot Anderson was the standout player, firing in a stunning long-range equaliser late on to level the scores. Sky awarded him MOTM with an 8/10 for his performance.
RM: Nico Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid) - 78 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Atlético Madrid picked up a huge three points this weekend with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Sociedad. Nico Gonzalez came off the bench to deliver a game-changing performance, scoring twice in the second half to turn the match around and secure all three points. A very decent featured upgrade could be on his way.
CAM: Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The Tottenham horror show continued, with Crystal Palace taking full advantage of a late collapse at the end of the first half, which saw a red card and three goals conceded in the final nine minutes before halftime. Sarr was a key reason for that turnaround, drawing the foul that led to the red card before scoring twice, making him an easy selection for this side.
ST: Joao Pedro (Chelsea) - 79 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Chelsea fell behind early on against Aston Villa but promptly put that behind them, securing a convincing 4-1 away win during their midweek fixture. Pedro was a prominent figure throughout, scoring three times for Chelsea.
ST: Omar Marmoush (Man City) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Marmoush continues to prove that City have a more than capable striker aside from Haaland, and with the Norwegian’s minutes and performances starting to dwindle, Marmoush will be feeling he has a serious chance of securing that City striker role. The Egyptian scored another two this weekend to secure City’s progression in the cup via a 3-1 win over Newcastle.
TOTW 26 Predicted Subs & Reserves
LB: Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds) - 77 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Gudmundsson has always been an attacking threat down the left-hand side for Leeds, but with Leeds on the backfoot for most of their games in the Premier League this season, it’s been difficult for him to shine. He reminded fans of his capability this weekend in the cup, though, scoring once and assisting another during a comfortable 3-0 win over Norwich.
CB: Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg) - 72 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Vuskovic continues to prove his worth with a consistently high level for Hamburg this season. He scored the opening goal during a 2-1 win this weekend and was named Player of the Week with a perfect 1 match rating from Kicker for doing so. The Croatian is definitely a name to remember!
CM: Adrien Thomasson (Lens) - 77 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Lens returned to winning ways this weekend with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Metz. With PSG also losing, it’s a result that firmly puts them back into the title race, now trailing by just a point. Thomasson provided an assist and was rewarded by L’Équipe with the joint highest match rating of the week, giving him a strong chance of making EA’s side.
CM: Hinata Miyazawa (Man United) - 78 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Japan secured a simply ludicrous 11-0 win away at India during their World Cup qualification match this weekend. Several Japanese players stood out, but with limited options in the game, it leaves the door open for just one player: Miyazawa. The United midfielder provided three assists from CM, with numerous sources also awarding her MOTM.
CM: Andre (Wolves) - 78 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Wolves continue to dream about the impossible with another three points secured this week via a 2-1 upset over Liverpool. Andre was named MOTM after scoring one of those two goals and will likely continue the run of Wolves IFs as a result.
CM: Jens Stage (Werder Bremen) - 78 OVR -> 84 OVR:
There were several midfielder options in the Bundesliga this weekend, but I would only expect one to get the nod, especially centrally. For me, Stage is the best option of the bunch after scoring once and assisting another during an impressive 4-1 away win over Union Berlin.
ST: Vedat Muriqi (Mallorca) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Muriqi continued his superb form this season for Mallorca, scoring another two goals during their 2-2 draw with Osasuna. If Mallorca do manage to survive the drop this season, Muriqi will be the reason for that. A very impressive season from the Albanian.
CB: Chima Okoroji (St. Gallen) - 68 OVR -> 84 OVR:
It’s been an impressive season for St. Gallen, who sit second in the Swiss division. They secured a 3-0 home win over Basel this weekend, taking their unbeaten run to ten matches. Central defender Okoroji scored two of their three goals, likely securing his spot in this week’s side.
LM: Ben Waine (Port Vale) - 62 OVR -> 84 OVR:
It’s been a chaotic week for Ben Waine and Port Vale, recording two upsets in the cup, firstly against Bristol City and then against Premier League opposition Sunderland, making them one of only two sides left in the competition not from the Prem. Both matches ended in 1-0 wins for the underdogs and both times saw Waine score the winning goal.
ST: Klara Cvrckova (Slavia Praha) - 68 OVR -> 84 OVR:
While this is a division that usually would not be considered, we have seen EA make exceptions for international fixtures within the Greek division, so it’s possible that Cvrckova could also make her way in. She scored three times for Czechia as they recorded a 5-1 away win over Albania.
ST: Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan (Reading) - 64 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Reading made it six matches without a loss this weekend as they push towards the League One play offs. Ehibhatiomhan scored all three of their goals, including two late on, as Reading secured a 3-2 away win over Luton.
ST: Jamie Maclaren (Mohun Bagan) - 69 OVR -> 84 OVR:
It’s rare to see the Indian league recognised within EA’s TOTW system, but after Maclaren’s performance this weekend it’s extremely difficult to ignore him. Scoring four times, the Australian helped guide his side to a 5-1 home win, maintaining their 100% start to the season.
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!