FC 25 Team of The Week 1 Predictions

TOTW is back as we approach the release of EAFC 25 and plenty of top names look set to compete for a position in the opening side. Gabriel's North London Derby goal, Kane’s continued dominance of the Bundesliga and a double from Dembele stand out. Let the hype begin!

Federik Rønnow - GK - 79 > 82 OVR

Three saves, Penalty save and clean sheet / Leipzig 0 - Union Berlin 0 / 2 Kicker Rating

There were several PL options for the goalkeeping position, but in most scenarios, EA opts for Germany or France. For that reason, I have opted for Rønnow, who was crucial for Union Berlin, as they managed to secure an away point at Leipzig

Gabriel - CB - 86 > 87 OVR 

Goal and clean sheet  /  Tottenham 0 - Arsenal 1  /  9 Sky Rating 

The North London Derby was always likely to produce an IF, and with Gabriel scoring the only goal of the game, that decision was made extremely easy. The Brazilian went on to be named MOTM with an impressive Sky match rating (9), making him one of the first players named for this side

Matthijs De Ligt - CB - 84 > 85 OVR

Goal and clean sheet  /  Man United 3 - Southampton 0  /  8 Sky Rating 

De Ligt received criticism for his recent Netherlands performance, which saw him subbed at halftime. He put that behind him and showed exactly why United spent 45M on him. The Dutchman scored the opener and then helped United keep a clean sheet as they picked up a well-needed three points.

Jesus Navas - RB - 80 > 83 OVR

Goal and clean sheet  /  Sevilla 1 - Getafe 0  /  7.2 Sofascore Rating

Navas became the oldest player to score for Sevilla in La Liga at 38 years and 298 days. The goal was crucial, helping Sevilla secure a 1-0 win. Navas received mediocre match ratings, but with a goal and a clean sheet to his name, he is among the best defensive options of the week.

Karim Adeyemi - LM - 79 > 85 OVR

Two goals, one assist  /  Dortmund 4 - Heidenheim 2  /  1.5 Kicker Rating

Dortmund continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 4-2 home win over Heidenheim. Adeyemi will likely become an elusive week 1 IF, especially if he receives the featured upgrade, with the German likely becoming one of the most meta options early in the game.

Inaki Williams - RM - 82 > 84 OVR

Three assists  /  Las Palmas 2 - Athletic Club 3  /  7.7 Sofascore Rating 

Another mediocre rating received in Spain for a performance that, on paper, should be a sure inclusion. I am happy to take Iñaki, despite several other performances from right-sided players, after he provided all three assists for Athletic as they battled to a 3-2 away win.

Ademola Lookman - CAM - 82 > 84 OVR

Goal and assist  /  Atalanta 3 - Fiorentina 2  /  8 Gazzetta Rating 

One of the highest ratings in Serie A for the week came from Lookman after the Nigerian scored once and assisted another during a five-goal thriller, from which Atalanta emerged as 3-2 winners. Several others from Serie A had a goal and an assist, but Lookman received the higher match rating.

Ousmane Dembélé - RW - 86 > 87 OVR

Two goals  /  PSG 3 - Brest 1  /  8 L’equipe Rating 

Ligue 1 has offered less in terms of quality this season, especially with the departure of Mbappé. Dembélé, however, remains a tempting option, and after scoring twice on Saturday, an opening week IF is a real possibility.

Harry Kane - ST - 90 > 91 OVR

Three goals, one assist  /  Kiel 1 - Munich 6  /  1 Kicker Rating

Kiel had lost their opening two games, so a match hosting league favourites Munich was unlikely to end well. Kane was directly involved in four goals as Munich cruised to a 6-1 away win, with the Englishman picking up Kicker POTW.

Victor Boniface - ST - 82 > 84 OVR

Two goals, one assist  /  Hoffenheim 1 - Leverkusen 4  /  1.5 Kicker Rating 

Leverkusen may have lost their unbeaten record in the Bundesliga, but they bounced back with a comfortable 4-1 away win, showing they will remain competitive at the top of the division. Boniface was involved in three of the four goals, which should see him included in the opening side.

Karim Benzema - ST - 86 > 87 OVR

Hat trick  /  Al-Ittihad 7 - Al-Wehda 1  /  9.5 Sofascore Rating 

There were two standout performances from Al-Ittihad’s 7-1 drubbing, but Benzema’s late goal to secure his hat trick makes him the favourite for inclusion. Diaby also provided four assists, but with a plethora of RM options available, I have to go for the ST option.

Substitutes

Thilo Kehrer - CB - 76 > 81 OVR

Goal and clean sheet  /  Auxerre 0 - Monaco 3  /  8 L’equipe Rating 

Many will be hoping for an early Zakaria here, and while that is not impossible, I think Kehrer is the favourite. Both players received an 8/10 from L’Equipe, but usually, the more defensive of the pairing ends up getting the nod, and in this case, that is Kehrer.

Klara Bühl - LM - 83 > 85 OVR

Two goals, one assist  /  Munich (W) 6 - Leipzig (W) 2  /  8.8 Sofascore Rating 

There were a couple of options from Munich’s eight-goal thriller, with both Bühl and Stanway standing out. I don't feel that Stanway will be dropped in week one for just a goal and an assist, so Bühl gets the nod, which is likely the correct decision regardless.

Artem Bondarenko - CM - 75 > 81 OVR

Hat trick  /  Shakhtar 5 - Karpaty 2  /  MOTM

There is no guarantee that Shakhtar will even be in EA’s consideration for IFs, but with them being a regular in European competitions, I would expect them to be. This will be an early tester of that theory, with Bondarenko scoring three times from the middle of the park.

Hans Vanaken - CAM - 80 > 83 OVR

Two goals, one assist  /  Kortrijk 0 - Brugge 3  /  9.3 Sofascore Rating 

Vanaken has been a crucial player for Brugge for quite some time, and it was another dominant performance from the Belgian on Saturday. He scored twice and assisted another as Brugge went on to win 3-0 away.

Wilfred Ndidi - CAM - 78 > 82 OVR

Two assists  /  Palace 2 - Leicester 2  /  8 Sky Rating 

Four games in, and none of the promoted three have managed to record a win. Leicester picked up a valuable away point, and despite throwing away a two-goal lead, Ndidi stands a good chance of making TOTW with his two assists.

Troy Parrott - ST - 68 > 81 OVR

Four goals  /  AZ 9 - Heerenveen 1  /  9 VI Rating 

A simply ludicrous performance from both AZ and Troy Parrott saw the Irish striker score four times during a colossal 9-1 home win. Parrott failed to make an impact in English football, but since moving to the Netherlands, he has really come into his own.

Puado - ST - 77 > 82 OVR

Hat trick  /  Espanyol 3 - Alavés 2  / 8.9 Sofascore Rating

It has been a very respectable start to the campaign for Espanyol, who now sit on seven points from five matches. Their latest three points are thanks to Puado’s brilliance, as the Spaniard scored all three of their goals in an entertaining 3-2 home win over Alavés.

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