TOTW 4 Predicted Starting XI
There’s plenty to get excited about if these TOTW 4 predictions come true, with Valverde, Lewandowski, Saka, and Mané all leading the charge. FUT Champs should be a big event this weekend!
GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton) - 83 OVR -> 85 OVR:
So far, EA has heavily favoured penalty-saving keepers over the highly-rated ones from either France or Germany. Pickford managed this feat this week, playing a crucial role in Everton’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle
LB: Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon) - 78 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Tagliafico opened the scoring as Lyon secured a 2-0 win at home against Nantes. If EA awards the Argentine a featured upgrade, it could turn out to be a nostalgic card.
CB: Thilo Kehrer (Monaco) - 76 OVR -> 81 OVR:
With defensive options hard to come by this week, I am opting for Kehrer over Ben Seghir, who claimed MOTM. Kehrer scored one of their two goals as they went on to beat Rennes 2-1 away from home.
RB: Alistair Johnston (Celtic) - 75 OVR -> 81 OVR:
The easiest defender to predict this week comes from an unlikely source. Celtic secured a 2-1 away win over Ross County, with Johnston involved in both goals, scoring one and assisting the other.
LM: Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The Saudi league has consistently received one IF per week, and I don't see that changing here. Mané scored twice from the left as Al-Nassr secured a 3-0 home win. With Mane's numerous secondary positions this could be a strong IF.
CDM: Mateo Kovacic (Man City) - 83 OVR -> 85 OVR:
There are numerous positives for Fulham to take away as they continue their strong start to the season, but Man City managed to pull through with a brace from Kovacic, helping them secure a 3-2 win.
CM: Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) - 88 OVR -> 89 OVR:
There are plenty of high-rated options in this side, but the standout choice is likely Valverde. His NIF will set you back 410k, so you can only imagine what this IF will sell for. The Uruguayan provided both a goal and an assist during Real Madrid's 2-0 home win.
CDM: Keira Walsh (Barcelona) - 85 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With minimal female candidates this week, it will be interesting to see if EA force many in. One player who should be featured come Wednesday is Walsh, she scored twice and provided an assist from CDM during yet another demolition by Barcelona.
RM: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Arsenal are among the highest recipients of special items so far this season. Saka looks set to add another to their ranks after scoring once and providing an assist during their 3-1 win over Southampton.
ST: Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan) - 83 OVR -> 85 OVR:
Those who completed the Thuram SBC will be slightly annoyed by this inclusion, but after scoring three times during a narrow 3-2 win, it is almost inevitable. The victory puts Inter in second place as they continue to chase Napoli, who lead early on.
ST: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) - 88 OVR -> 89 OVR:
A hat-trick from Lewandowski takes him to ten goals for the season, making him the league's top scorer as it stands. The Polish striker was snubbed a couple of weeks ago, but he will surely make the cut this time around
TOTW 4 Predicted Subs & Reserves
GK: Paulo Gazzaniga (Girona) - 82 OVR -> 84 OVR:
There were an unusually high number of goalkeepers to choose from this weekend, not to mention De Gea, who isn't in the game. Gazzaniga gets the nod after saving two penalties in Girona's 2-1 win over Athletic Club.
CB: Kevin Vogt (Union Berlin) - 75 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Union Berlin shocked Dortmund with a 2-1 win this weekend. While Vogt only scored from the penalty spot, his solid defensive display was enough for Kicker to award him MOTM, which I believe will lead to his inclusion this week.
CAM: Heorhii Sudakov (Shakhtar) - 77 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Sudakov delivered a ludicrous performance, being involved in all four of Shakhtar's goals, scoring four of his own and providing the assist for the other. If Sudakov is overlooked, it's safe to say there will be no IFs from the Ukrainian division this season.
LM: De Frutos (Vallecano) - 77 OVR -> 81 OVR:
This weekend’s low-scoring matches in La Liga left few standout performances. However, Frutos made an impact by scoring twice in Vallecano’s 2-1 away victory
CAM: Jonas Wind (Wolfsburg) - 78 OVR -> 82 OVR:
Wind was deployed just behind the striker this week, and it proved to be a great decision. Scoring two of their three goals. Wind was highly influential in Wolfsburg's 3-1 away win over Bochum.
ST: Cucho Hernandez (Columbus) - 78 OVR -> 82 OVR:
With the MLS continuing to receive weekly IFs, I try to include them in my predictions. This week, Cucho Hernández looks like the best bet after scoring twice in Columbus' 3-2 win.
ST: Mateo Retegui (Atalanta) - 76 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Atalanta recorded a convincing 5-1 home win over Genoa this weekend. Retegui was the standout player in that match, scoring three goals and providing an assist. Gazzetta awarded his performance an 8.5.
CM: Caspar Jander (Nurnberg) - 66 OVR -> 80 OVR:
I fully expect one of the lower divisions in Germany to be acknowledged this week, given the minimal candidates from the top division. Jander claimed POTW in Bundesliga 2 after scoring twice and providing an assist from midfield.
LW: Zuriko Davitashvili (St Etienne) - 72 OVR -> 80 OVR:
EA has shown a preference for the top five leagues, even in the reserves so far. Davitashvili made that choice easy this week after scoring a hat-trick against Auxerre.
LW: Santiago Montiel (Independiente) - 72 OVR -> 80 OVR:
It was a must-win game for Independiente, who are struggling this season. They managed to secure three points, with Montiel excelling by scoring twice and assisting the other goal during a 3-1 win.
ST: Mika Biereth (Sturm Graz) - 68 OVR -> 80 OVR:
Salzburg were shocked this weekend as Sturm Graz managed to put five past them without reply. Biereth scored three of those five, making his inclusion a straightforward choice
ST: Tom Cannon (Stoke) - 69 OVR -> 80 OVR:
Midweek inclusions failed to occur last week but I am willing to take the punt on Cannon here after he scored four goals for Stoke during their 6-1 hammering of Portsmouth
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!
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