Helmar Designs
TOTWTOTW 27 Predicted Starting XI
Fantasy FC inclusions have a huge say on the trajectory of this side, with several high-quality selections decided based on what EA deem suitable for the situation. Headlining the TOTW 27 prediction, we have Fernandes, Joao Felix, Raphinha, and a featured Richarlison.
GK: Paulo Gazzaniga (Girona) - 79 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Girona recorded an impressive 3-0 home win over Athletic Club this weekend, with Gazzaniga playing a pivotal role between the sticks. Making a total of eight saves against an expected goals total of 1.6, the Argentine was able to maintain his clean sheet.
RB: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid) - 79 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Sticking with La Liga, we move to Molina, another Argentine. Atlético battled their way to a narrow 1-0 win over Getafe, with Molina scoring the only goal of the game. While defenders were highly contested for positions this week, it’s difficult to ignore a goal and a clean sheet from within a top-five league when it comes to golds.
CB: Konstantinos Mavropanos (West Ham) - 76 OVR -> 87 OVR:
West Ham played out a 1-1 draw with Man City this weekend in a result with huge implications at both ends of the table, giving Arsenal a free run at the title regardless of what happens when they face City. While West Ham are only in the relegation zone on goal difference, Mavropanos was named MOTM after scoring West Ham’s goal alongside contributing a huge number of defensive actions
LB: Laura Perez (Granada) - 78 OVR -> 87 OVR:
We complete a full featured backline with Perez. Playing in a deeper RB role this weekend, she excelled throughout. With three attacking returns, she seems nailed on for a spot in TOTW 27. Scoring twice and assisting another, all while keeping a clean sheet, she dominated the match as Granada beat Badalona 4-0.
LW: Raphinha (Barcelona) - 89 OVR -> 91 OVR:
The headline player this week is Barcelona’s Raphinha. While the Brazilian has not replicated his form from last season, he has continued to play a significant role during Barcelona’s title charge. Scoring three times this weekend, he helped lead them to a comfortable 5-2 home win over Sevilla. Although two of those three goals came from the spot, his place in this side seems guaranteed.
LW: Yann Gboho (Toulouse) - 75 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Ligue 1 only had a couple of serious contenders this week, and I would expect both to be included as a result. Gboho is the first of those two, after he scored twice from what was seemingly LW as Toulouse played out an entertaining 4-3 away win over Metz.
CM: Bruno Fernandes (Man United) - 87 OVR -> 89 OVR:
With Fantasy FC cards in packs for so many candidates this week, I have opted to take the punt and include a few regardless. These cards are live and out of packs, while the potential IFs come in at a lower rating, which makes me think it’s possible. Fernandes continued to pull the strings for United, providing two assists as they continued to excel under Carrick with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
RM: Matteo Politano (Napoli) - 81 OVR -> 87 OVR:
With both Milan sides dropping points this week it left the door open for Napoli to close the gap at the top of the table. A chance they took, beating Lecce 2-1. Politano was directly involved in both goals, scoring once and assisting the other. Gazzetta awarded the Italian MOTM with a 7.5 which likely confirms his inclusion for TOTW 27.
CAM: Joao Felix (Al-Nassr) - 79 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Another Fantasy FC risk inclusion I have opted for is Felix. Al-Nassr get closer and closer to that potential title. This week saw a comfortable 5-0 win over Al-Khaleej. With the Saudi division usually being awarded an IF by EA and Felix being by far the best option to do so, I opted to ignore the Fantasy FC aspect. Felix scored twice and assisted another from CAM during the romp.
ST: Richarlison (Tottenham) - 78 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Tottenham have become recipients of social media jokes left, right, and center, with their fans also coming to the conclusion that relegation may become a reality as things stand. A late Richarlison goal filled them with confidence this week, securing what could be the turning point of their season after gaining a point away at Liverpool. While a goal in a draw for a striker seems crazy for an inclusion, considering the circumstances alongside the fact the Premier League offered very little, it could easily become a reality on Wednesday.
ST: Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille) - 75 OVR -> 87 OVR:
As mentioned with Gboho, there were only a couple of Ligue 1 options I saw as serious candidates this week. The second is Fernandez-Pardo. The Spaniard scored once and assisted another as Lille secured a 2-1 away win over Rennes. Should EA opt to award Fernandez-Pardo a decent upgrade, this card could be very usable.
TOTW 27 Predicted Subs & Reserves
GK: Sven Ulreich (Munich) - 73 OVR -> 85 OVR:
While two goalkeepers is something we have not seen for a while now, I feel it is a real possibility this week with two strong candidates from the top five divisions. The second of that duo is Ulreich. Munich's third-choice keeper came in when required, making several key saves with Munich down to nine men to ensure they came away with a point away at Leverkusen. The German was named player of the week in Germany, a feat which rarely misses out in EA's final side.
RB: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate) - 78 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Montiel has been back playing in his home country for a while now after stints with both Forest and Sevilla. Despite being just twenty-nine years of age, his career never peaked in the way he would have hoped. This week saw him heavily involved for River Plate, recording both a goal and an assist during their 2-1 away win over Huracán.
LM: Ashley Sanchez (NC Courage) - 82 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The return of the NWSL almost guarantees an inclusion from the division. There were a few candidates, but the best is seemingly Ashley Sanchez. The American scored both her side’s goals during their 2-1 home win.
LM: Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad) - 75 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The final punt I have taken in terms of Fantasy FC cards is Guedes. The Portuguese midfielder has been snubbed by EA on a couple of occasions already but is seriously overdue for an IF inclusion now. Scoring twice from LM, Guedes helped guide Real Sociedad to a 3-1 home win over Osasuna.
CM: Larissa Muhlhaus (Werder Bremen) - 76 OVR -> 85 OVR:
There were several candidates from the Frauen Bundesliga this week, but I would expect EA to do their usual and opt to include just one. Muhlhaus is the best option in my eyes, with the German scoring twice from midfield as Werder Bremen beat Frankfurt 4-2.
ST: Petar Musa (Dallas) - 76 OVR -> 85 OVR:
FC Dallas only managed to take a point from their home fixture with San Diego, which can often rule candidates out, but with a lack of striker options already, to then ignore a hat trick would be outright stupidity. Musa scored all three Dallas goals during the 3-3 draw.
ST: Amaiur Sarriegi (Atletico Madrid) - 81 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Atlético Madrid recorded an extremely convincing 5-0 win over DUX this weekend, with their striker Sarriegi playing a huge role in that victory. Scoring three times and providing an assist, Sarriegi stole the show, making him an easy inclusion in this week’s side.
CB: Antonio Caracciolo (Pisa) - 71 OVR -> 85 OVR:
While Pisa’s survival hopes remain slim, a 3-1 home win over Cagliari ended their seventeen-match winless run, leaving them seven points from safety. Central defender Caracciolo stood out, scoring two of their three goals and receiving player of the week from Gazzetta with an 8/10.
CM: Jakob Breum (GA Eagles) - 74 OVR -> 85 OVR:
It was one of the most highly contested reserve sections we have seen in a while this week, with the competition back at the level we were seeing early on in the game. Breum was heavily involved during GA Eagles’ convincing 6-0 win at home to NAC Breda, scoring three of those six goals.
CM: Jens Hjerto-Dahl (Tromso) - 64 OVR -> 85 OVR:
With Bodo in the headlines for their recent performances in Europe I feel the Norwegian division is likely to be high on EA’s radar. An easy inclusion for them this weekend comes with Tromsø’s Hjerto-Dahl. The central midfielder found the back of the net on three occasions, spearheading Tromsø to a 4-0 win.
CAM: Niklas Hauptmann (Dresden) - 70 OVR -> 85 OVR:
While the reserves section is dominated by midfielder options, it’s extremely difficult to snub any of those mentioned. Hauptmann also seems highly likely to be included after the German provided two goals and two assists for Dresden during their 6-0 drubbing of Munster.
ST: Antoine Rabillard (Le Mans) - 65 OVR -> 85 OVR:
While midfielders were dominant there was only one non gold striker who scored three. That accolade went the way of Le Mans’ striker, Rabillard. The Frenchman scored three of their four goals as they beat Nancy 4-2 away from home as they continue to push towards promotion to the top division.
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!