FC 25 Team of The Week 16 Predictions

With limited divisions in action due to the festive period, we see a Premier League-heavy TOTW. In general, it's a rather average side, but with Trent, a SIF Cunha, and Barella all featuring, there are at least some players worth pulling.

Jordan Pickford - GK - 83 > 86 OVR

Four saves and pen save  /  Man City 1 - Everton 1  /  8 Sky Rating 

There was only one gold keeper worth mentioning this week, and although EA could go completely random with it, I'm happy to opt for the predictable one in Pickford. During Everton’s first fixture of the week, he made four saves and stopped a Haaland penalty to earn Everton a point away at City.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - RB - 86 > 87 OVR

Goal and clean sheet  /  West Ham 0 - Liverpool 5  /   8 Sky Rating

The title looks increasingly likely to go Liverpool’s way as they continue to dominate the division. Their latest result, a 5-0 win over West Ham, was one of their best performances to date. Trent is the first of two Liverpool players in the side after two fixtures occurred this week. He scored one of the five, and with Salah unlikely to feature again so soon, the door is open for him.

Murillo - CB - 78 > 86 OVR

Clean sheet and MOTM  /  Forest 1 - Tottenham 0  /  9 Sky Rating 

Murillo continues to shine at the back for Forest, with yet another MOTM award going the Brazilian’s way. Multiple sides are looking at him, and I fully expect a huge club to come in over the summer at the latest. Forest continue to push for Champions League football, and Murillo will play a pivotal role in that charge.

Trevor Chalobah - CB - 78 > 84 OVR

Goal  /  Palace 2 - Southampton 1  /  8 Sky Rating 

It was crucial that Palace picked up all three points against rock-bottom Southampton, as they look to gain some distance between themselves and the relegation zone. Chalobah opened the scoring, and although he then failed to keep a clean sheet, with Eze scoring the winner, the IF was back on the cards.

Cody Gakpo - LM - 83 > 86 OVR

Goal and assist  /  Liverpool 3 - Leicester 1  /  8 Sky Rating 

Liverpool had a slight scare, falling behind to relegation-battling Leicester City early on. They regrouped and ended up with a comfortable 3-1 win. Gakpo was named MOTM after scoring once and assisting another, and with the Dutchman still without a promotional card, TOTW 16 looks highly probable to be his first.

Matheus Cunha - CAM - 79 > 87 OVR

Goal and assist  /  Wolves 2 - Man United 0  /  9 Sky Rating 

If Wolves end up staying up, they will have Cunha to thank. The Brazilian continues to be the difference in their matches, and this one was no different. With both a goal and an assist, he helped guide Wolves to a 2-0 win over Man United, who continue to struggle under Amorim.

Joelinton - CM - 82 > 85 OVR

Goal and assist  /  Newcastle 3 - Aston Vila 0

Newcastle have picked up some serious form recently, with eleven goals scored and none conceded over their last three PL matches. Joelinton was named MOTM from their Boxing Day outing after scoring once and assisting another during a 3-0 win over Villa.

Nicolo Barella - CM - 87 > 88 OVR

Two assists  /  Cagliari 0 - Inter 3  /  7 Gazzetta Rating

There were a couple of Inter options this week, with Bastoni finding himself on the scoresheet alongside Barella, who provided two assists during the 3-0 win. I have to go with the official Gazzetta MOTM, though, and in this case, that was awarded to Barella.

Savinho - RM - 82 > 85 OVR

Goal and assist  /  Leicester 0 - Man City 2  /  9 Sky Rating 

City picked up a much-needed three points to give them some confidence going into a difficult run of fixtures. Savinho has received some stick recently, but his performance here was superb. He pulled all the strings, supplying both a goal and an assist to secure a 2-0 win.

Joel Piroe - ST - 74 > 86 OVR

Two goals  /  Stoke 0 - Leeds 2  /  8.3 Sofascore Rating 

With gold strikers being so scarce, it's an opportunity for a featured upgrade on a silver ST. I believe the Championship is the most likely to see that happen, and with Leeds being a popular side, Piroe stands out to me. His brace away at Stoke helped Leeds continue their fine form, leading them to the summit of the table.

Chris Wood - ST - 76 > 85 OVR

Goal and assist  /  Everton 0 - Forest 2  /  8 Sky Rating 

Winning away at Everton is not an easy task, with the hosts maintaining a superb defensive record since Branthwaite returned to the side. Forest made it look easy, though, recording a 2-0 win to temporarily go second in the table. What an achievement this season has been already for them. Wood as per usual played a pivotal role in the goals, scoring one and assisting the other.

Substitutes

Lautaro Valenti - CB - 69 > 83 OVR

Goal and MOTM  /  Parma 2 - Monza 1 

I would expect several silvers to end up in the squad this week due to the limited number of options available. With the base now being 83, that is no longer an issue when coming from the main leagues. Valenti falls into that category after his last-minute goal secured a 2-1 win for Parma and MOTM for the Argentine. 

Khephren Thuram - CM - 78 > 83 OVR

Two goals  /  Juventus 2 - Fiorentina 2  /  8 Gazzetta Rating 

Despite Serie A being one of the only divisions in action this week, selections from the division were still difficult with so many draws occurring. Juventus vs. Fiorentina also ended in a draw, but with Thuram scoring two from the middle of the park, his inclusion became an easy one.

Nicolas Gonzalez - CDM - 77 > 83 OVR

Goal and assist  /  Porto 4 - Boavista 0  /  8.4 Sofascore Rating 

With Portugal being the third-highest coefficient division playing this week, I expect at least a couple to feature. I have selected three, with the first being from Porto’s comfortable 4-0 home win. Gonzalez scored once and assisted another from CDM, and with him being a gold option, he stands out for doing so.

Geny Catamo - RM - 76 > 83 OVR

Goal  /  Sporting 1 - Benfica 0  /  7.6 Sofascore Rating

With this match likely playing a huge role in the title race, it stands out as one of the best fixtures of the week. Despite their recent poor form, it was Sporting who came out on top. Catamo scored the only goal of the game, and with one-goal options likely to be a regular occurrence this week, he has to stand out as one of the best ones.

Clayton Fernandes - ST - 71 > 83 OVR

Two goals  /  Rio Ave 2 - Nacional 1  /  8.7 Sofascore Rating

Ending the streak of Liga Portugal players, we have Clayton Fernandes. There are several silver strikers with two goals, and I will need to be lucky in selecting the right ones, but with Liga Portugal being a strong division, it makes sense to head there first.

Kyogo Furuhashi - ST - 77 > 83 OVR

Two goals  /  Celtic 4 - St. Johnstone 0  /  8.6 Sofascore Rating 

Furuhashi was actually the only gold striker to score more than once this week, something I have never seen before, even during limited gameweeks. Scotland has been snubbed on numerous occasions prior to this, but I would be shocked if that happens again this week.

Che Adams - ST - 75 > 85 OVR

Goal and assist  /  Udinese 2 - Torino 2  /  7.5 Gazzetta Rating 

This was a transfer I had missed, but Che Adams is yet another British player now playing in Serie A. What was once a rare transfer is now becoming an increasingly popular option. Regardless, Che Adams gets in due to the lack of matches being played, meaning his goal and assist from ST during a 2-2 draw stands out this week.

Reserves

Nicola Leali - GK - 69 > 83 OVR

Pen save, seven saves  /  Empoli 1 - Genoa 2  /  7 Gazzetta Rating

Taylor Allen - CB - 61 > 83 OVR

Two assists and clean sheet  /  Wallsall 2 - Newport 0  /  9 Sofascore Rating

Josh Eccles - CDM - 71 > 83 OVR

Two goals, one assist  /  Coventry 4 - Plymouth 0  /  9.9 Sofascore Rating 

Ryan Williams - RW - 63 > 83 OVR

Two goals, one assist  /  Chennaiyin 2 - Bengaluru 4  /  10 Sofascore Rating

Chukwubuikem Ilkwuemesi - ST - 69 > 83 OVR

Two goals  /  Leuven 2 - Beerschot 0  /  8.8 Sofascore Rating

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