TOTWTOTW 29 Predicted Starting XI
With many nations playing for their spot in the WC this summer, TOTW 29 contains numerous players who excelled in those matches. Several big names headline the side, with the likes of Wirtz, Doue, Tonali, Gyokeres, and Russo all featuring.
GK: Jasmin Janning (Zeiss Jena) - 73 OVR -> 87 OVR:
The goalkeeper position was nigh on impossible to fill this week, and we could see EA opt for just about anyone, with expectations being a complete random. I have to select a goalkeeper, though, and so I have opted for a division which likely gets an inclusion but has no obvious candidate. Jenning made a total of six saves to claim MOTM during Zeiss Jena's 1–1 draw with Leipzig, despite being reduced to 10.
RB: Ona Batlle (Barcelona) - 86 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Barcelona have been the heavy favourites to lift the Liga F title for a while now, but after beating second-placed Real Madrid, it is all but confirmed. Batlle scored one of Barca's three goals as they cruised to a 3–0 win away from home, putting their GD for the season at a ridiculous +100.
RB: Sofia Huerta (Seattle Reign) - 82 OVR -> 88 OVR:
NWSL look set to make it back-to-back featured IFs after Huerta played a key role during their 3–0 home win over Kansas City. Providing the assist and both the second and third goals, Seattle stormed to an early 3–0 lead as a result. Huerta has a strong base card and becomes a very usable option should EA decide to include her as a featured addition.
RB: Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton) - 79 OVR -> 87 OVR:
While three RBs in the starting line-up seems unlikely, it was impossible to exclude any of the three from this week’s side. Kadioglu gets the nod after he scored the only goal of the game during Türkiye's 1–0 win over Romania in their WC qualification SF play-off match.
LM: Desire Doue (PSG) - 85 OVR -> 88 OVR:
France were impressive this week, winning both their matches in South America: firstly a 2–1 win over Brazil, followed by a 3–1 victory against Colombia. I would expect an IF to occur from either of those two matches, but it’s Doue I have opted for after he scored twice during that second fixture.
LW: Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) - 89 OVR -> 91 OVR:
Wirtz excelled for Germany this week, scoring twice and assisting another two as they played out an entertaining 4–3 win over Switzerland. Friendly matches likely hold less weight than competitive matches; however, for performances like this, it's inevitable that Wirtz will feature in TOTW 29.
CM: Sandro Tonali (Newcastle) - 86 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Italy took one step closer to the WC this summer with a 2–0 win over Northern Ireland. Tonali excelled throughout, having a direct involvement in both their goals, scoring one himself and providing the assist for the other. I would expect most WC qualification matches to feature this week, and Tonali is one of the easiest to include.
RM: Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica) - 82 OVR -> 88 OVR:
With EA's latest upgrade system, we can get some very usable cards from initial IFs. I expect that to happen with Lukebakio after the Belgian scored twice off the bench during Belgium’s 5–2 away win over the USA. Despite the minimal gametime, his performance was impactful enough to get the nod from me in a week with minimal options.
ST: Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad) - 82 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Oyarzabal has continuously picked up IFs for years now, and this week looks set to bring his third in EAFC 26. Now the starting striker for Spain, he is always going to get a lot of chances come his way. The Spaniard converted those chances this week, scoring twice as they went on to beat Serbia 3–0.
ST: Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Sweden were another side to progress from the SF stage of WC play-offs this week, with a 3–1 win over Ukraine. Gyokeres has been snubbed of a spot in TOTW on numerous occasions this year already, but after scoring all three Sweden goals this week, he can’t be ignored again, surely?
ST: Alessia Russo (Arsenal) - 89 OVR -> 90 OVR:
It was a good week to be an Arsenal striker, with Russo also finding the back of the net on three occasions as Arsenal made it five consecutive WSL victories with a convincing 5–2 win over rivals Tottenham.
TOTW 29 Predicted Subs & Reserves
RB: Mergim Vojvoda (Como) - 75 OVR -> 87 OVR:
While Vojvoda only received average match ratings, considering this came as Kosovo progressed via a 4–3 win over Slovakia in WC qualification, I can ignore that detail. The Kosovan provided two assists during the seven-goal thriller, playing a key role in that progression.
RB: Kerstin Casparij (Man City) - 79 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Manchester City secured a 3–0 away win over rivals Man United to retain their nine-point lead at the top of the WSL. There were two strong candidates in terms of the potential IF, but with a goal, an assist, and a clean sheet from RB, I feel that it is finally Casparij's time.
CM:Sebastian Szymanski (Rennes) - 78 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Poland gave the Netherlands a run for their money in the group stage but narrowly missed out, coming second and ultimately having to go through the play-offs. They won their SF this week, beating Albania 2–1. Szymanski provided both assists during that match, making him a strong contender for TOTW 29.
LM: Ceri Holland (Liverpool) - 76 OVR -> 85 OVR:
With limited divisions in action this week, I can see the WSL gaining additional spots in TOTW 29. While Holland is the third I have included, considering all three come in rivalry matches and all three would also be included based solely on performance, I find it difficult to exclude any of them. Holland scored twice for Liverpool as they won 3–2 away at Everton.
CM: Natalia Ramos (Tenerife) - 76 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Tenerife made it four wins from five as they continue to chase a Champions League qualification spot via a 2–0 win over Madrid CFF. Ramos scored both goals from CM, and as mentioned, with a lack of divisions in action, Liga F could also be a division that EA opts to award more than one IF to, and if that’s the case, Ramos should walk into the side.
LM: Marcel Sabitzer (Dortmund) - 80 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Sabitzer is in line for a Gullit Gang LM card should EA opt to award the Austrian a featured IF, which, considering how many there are now, is very possible. He was heavily involved during Austria's 5–1 win over Ghana, scoring once and assisting another two.
ST: Amine Gouiri (Marseille) - 79 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Algeria played out a 7–0 win over Guatemala in what was a pretty pointless friendly match, but the result should result in an IF, and with goals and assists coming all over the pitch, it's far from an easy decision. Gouiri scored two of the seven, which, considering the lack of overall striker options, probably sees his inclusion.
LW: Martial Godo (Strasbourg) - 63 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The complete opposite of last week occurred in terms of the reserve defender position, with nobody standing out. So instead of taking a punt here, I have included an extra midfielder. Godo benefits from that, with his goal and assist for Ivory Coast helping them secure a 4–0 win over South Korea.
LW: Pablo Saenz (Granada) - 66 OVR -> 85 OVR:
With three wins from their last four, Granada have escaped the relegation battle, maintaining their position in the second tier of Spain. They beat Huesca 4–2 this weekend, with Saenz scoring twice and assisting another from the wing.
CAM: Arribas (Almeria) - 70 OVR -> 85 OVR:
With Racing Club losing back-to-back matches, it's left the door open for Almería to make this a real title race, and they have taken the opportunity with both hands. They secured a 5–1 win this weekend against Real Sociedad B, with an Arribas brace closing the gap to a single point at the top.
ST:Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan (Reading) - 64 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The final couple of positions were filled by anyone who scored more than once, probably the lowest competition we have seen all season, which does benefit both Reading and Notts County fans. Firstly, we have Ehibhatiomhan after he scored two of Reading's three as they beat Wigan 3–0.
ST: Alassana Jatta (Notts County) - 65 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The second of those players scoring twice comes from Englands fourth tier with Notts County striker Jatta scoring both their goals during a 2-0 away win over Harrogate.
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!