The 2nd ever Women's TOTY is coming soon, and here is our prediction for who will make the side. A reminder that this is a prediction, not who we think deserves to make the team.
With Barcelona dominating their division and lifting the Champions League title, while Spain are also the reigning World Cup champions, it's no surprise to see Barcelona dominate this side.
TOTY Predicted Starting XI
GK: Lola Gallardo (Atletico Madrid) - 80 OVR -> 93 OVR:
The goalkeeper selection is undoubtedly the hardest decision this year, with none of the usual household names making the final shortlist. However, Liga F is by far the most popular league, which likely gives Gallardo the edge primarily for the added chemistry links to the inevitable Barcelona inclusions.
RB: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea) - 85 OVR -> 93 OVR:
Similar to the men's prediction, I anticipate the defensive positions to follow the standard format. The RB spot comes down to a choice between Bronze and Carpenter, but Bronze's status as a universally recognized name likely gives her the edge in the voting. Additionally, she ranked as the second-highest defender in the Ballon d'Or standings.
CB: Wendie Renard (Lyon) - 88 OVR -> 95 OVR:
I believe there will be slightly more flexibility in balancing deserving inclusions versus hype players in the women’s TOTY compared to the men’s, particularly for defenders. Renard has been a cornerstone of the women’s game for many years. While she is nearing the end of her career, her performances for Lyon over the past year remain at a high standard. Despite her base card being underwhelming, a TOTY upgrade combined with her height would make her a highly usable option.
CB: Irene Paredes (Barcelona) - 88 OVR -> 94 OVR:
Moving on to the first of five Barcelona players in this TOTY, and while that number seems high, it could easily have been more. However, I expect EA to limit the number of inclusions from the club. Paredes is the sole defensive option from Barcelona, which will naturally earn her a significant share of the votes.
LB: Sakina Karchaoui (PSG) - 87 OVR -> 95 OVR:
Both Karchaoui and Bacha became popular options in EAFC last year, and the same applies this time. However, Karchaoui is the more popular of the two, and the hype around her remains strong. PSG are one of the powerhouses in women's football, and while they may not be on the same level as Lyon and Barcelona, they still compete at a high level. With a Champions League semi-final position, this wouldn't be a poor choice.
CM: Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona) - 91 OVR -> 98 OVR:
Barcelona have seen one of their players claim the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the past four seasons, with Bonmatí being the recipient of the most recent two. Barcelona dominate the division, and with them also now holding the Champions League, the majority of this side will inevitably be from Barcelona.
CM: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona) - 90 OVR -> 97 OVR:
Putellas is a major name in the women's game, with back-to-back Ballon d'Or wins in 2021 and 2022. Her impact on the game cannot be understated. Although Bonmati has since taken her crown, Putellas remains highly popular and still plays a key role in the Barcelona side. I omitted her last year, and she still made the cut despite being injured for much of the year. With more game time under her belt this time, her spot in the side is inevitable.
RM: Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit) - 84 OVR -> 94 OVR:
I was surprised to see Rodman listed as a midfielder, as wide players typically enter as attackers for these sides. However, the fact that she is classified as a midfielder stands out. The American is a popular option in FUT, which will likely bring her a lot of votes. EA will likely want to include a couple of NWSL players, and this classification provides an easy route to do so.
RW: Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona) - 90 OVR -> 97 OVR:
Hansen recorded a ludicrous 21 goals and 19 assists during the 25 Primera División matches she played in during the 2023/24 season, averaging just shy of two-goal contributions per game. So, it comes as no surprise that she is one of the frontrunners for this side. While her current season stats are nowhere near as impressive, she is still averaging a contribution per match in this dominant Barcelona side.
ST: Sophia Smith (Portland Timbers) - 89 OVR -> 96 OVR:
Smith is one of the most popular female cards in the game, with her WW card valued at upwards of 800k. I expect her to dominate the vote for the ST position, and she absolutely deserves it. The American finished fourth in the Ballon d'Or Féminin voting, the highest-ranked player outside of Spain.
LW: Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona) - 79 OVR -> 95 OVR:
This position is a question of who deserves the spot versus the hyped players. Pajor has gained a lot of attention since moving to Barcelona, with standout performances leading to regular promotional items. However, Paralluelo is the player who truly deserves the spot. She came third in the Ballon d'Or final standings, and the gap between the top three and the rest was significant. She is also popular enough to secure a good portion of votes.
TOTY Predicted 12th Woman
RW: Lauren James (Chelsea) - 86 OVR -> 95 OVR:
For the 12th woman, I can see EA opting for some league diversity, as Liga F dominates the side with 6 out of 11 players. I don't think they will include another from that division. Arkema has two, the NWSL has two, and there's a singular selection from the WSL. While Germany has been overlooked, I just can't see who they could justify or who will be heavily voted for. A second inclusion from the WSL seems plausible, with James being a popular player from the division.
That concludes this years Team of the Year predictions! What do you make of these predictions? Is there anyone else who should have made the TOTY? Let us know below!