TOTS Ligue 1 Predictions

The final prediction this year comes with Ligue 1. This was by far the hardest league to predict with it being the division I watch the least. That being said the title race is among the best we have seen for years in France with four teams all in contention for the title with just two games remaining. PSG although likely to heavily feature will not be dominating this side for one.
*Please note stats are correct at the time of writing and player ratings are based from their NIF’s
 

Goalkeeper

Keylor Navas – GK - OVR 87>>94
As far as goalkeeper TOTS selections go Ligue 1 was by far the easiest with two keepers which select themselves. The first of which is Navas. PSG almost always maintain an impressive record at the back and this season was no different with just 28 goals conceded in 36 matches. Navas at times has been extraordinary the fact he, as a keeper, managed to obtain a POTM card speaks wonders for how he has played. Although at times the PSG keeper has very little to do when he’s needed to be there he definitely has and although if EA only opt for one keeper Navas could miss out he really should be part of this side.

Defenders

Mehmet Celik – RB - OVR 77>>88
I honestly could have included the whole Lille defence with the season they have managed but realistically I have had to cap it and thus there are three from their backline which I have opted to include. The first is Celik of whom has dominated the right-hand side, standing out as one of the best defenders In Ligue 1 this season. Not only has he contributed to the best defence in Ligue 1 but also offensively he has excelled, scoring a couple of wonderful goals in the process. With three goals and two assists in total going alongside the defensive stats I can’t see any outcome which doesn’t have Celik included in this side.

Jose Fonte – CB - OVR 78>>89
When it comes to TOTS, Fonte is not a name you would associate alongside it. The Portuguese defender was always a reliable player in the Premier League offering a strong CB option for Southampton for many years. Since moving to Ligue 1 the same can be said but the 37-year-old has seriously impressed this season, seemingly getting better with age. At the time of writing this article the Ligue 1 title race is still up in the air with two games remaining however what is almost certain is that Lille will finish with the best defensive record and Fonte has played a huge role in that. With just 22 goals conceded in 36 matches it’s a defensive display not many even get close too. Additionally, the veteran has added three goals to his name and also ranks among the best for L’equipe in average ratings.

Marquinhos – CB - OVR 85>>93
From an unfamiliar TOTS option to a familiar one with Marquinhos. PSG often dominate the Ligue 1 TOTS and although it’s unlikely to be as dominant as previous seasons due to a highly competitive division this year there are still going to be numerous PSG options making the side. One of those is likely to be Marquinhos, the Brazilian has developed into one of the most known central defenders worldwide the past few seasons with the French outlet and there is good reason for that. Although perhaps not his most convincing of seasons he has still been solid for PSG as the back and has added two goals and one assist going forward. Marquinhos is just one of those players who you would fully expect to see in a Ligue 1 TOTS.

Midfielders

Jonathan Bamba – LM - OVR 78>>92
Bamba is an interesting one as his early season from was significantly better than his second half. I feel as though he has had enough of an impact to be included as a TOTS item though, especially if Lille go on to secure the title. With fifteen offensive contributions to his name, six goals and nine assists, it’s an impressive tally to obtain as a wide midfielder. His late drop off in form will be in people’s minds though which does cause concern regarding his eventual selection.

Benjamin Andre – CM - OVR 80>>91
Before the beginning of the season, I doubt anyone would have predicted that Andre would be one of the standout players in Ligue 1 but it turns out that he has. Although on paper with 0 goals and 1 assist non watchers of the division would be questioning his position in the side but those who have seen even just a few Lille games would understand the importance of Andre to the dynamic of Lille and he has played a huge role into why their defensive record is as good as it is. Many will question Sanches but with just 13 starts I simply cannot justify a spot in this side for him.

Neymar – CAM - OVR 91>>97
There is no denying Neymar’s unbelievable talent, but the Brazilians game time has been limited which puts his position in this side under great threat for me. The final factor which ultimately lead to me included Neymar was his nomination for Ligue 1 player of the year though. After all, if he can be nominated for that surely, he can go on to make Ligue 1 TOTS in FIFA? His impact is not the question with eight goals and four assists from his 16 appearances but his game time instead as at under 50% of potential games I don’t believe it’s enough. I am predicting what I think will happen though and thus Neymar ends up making my side.

Angel Di Maria – RW - OVR 87>>94
I was a little hesitant on ADM’s inclusion this year with the Argentine not scoring as many as he usually would, the fact he is yet to pick up an IF speaks wonders for his season but with the Argentine being among the highest assisters in the division with nine and the fact, he is a big name I can still see EA including him in their side. ADM is a regular is the Ligue 1 TOTS since moving from United and with a lot of big names likely to miss out EA will want to include every player possible to make this side look more attractive 

Forwards

Wissam Ben Yedder – ST - OVR 84>>92
Onto a fan favourite now with Ben Yedder, the fact he is exactly that and that he also engages with EA on social media actually probably helps his cause here as without those factors he is very close with other options. Monaco currently sit in third position, with WBY scoring nineteen goals and providing seven assists too. I feel that Volland will probably miss out at the cost of the Frenchman but it’s one that EA would get numerous complaints about should it be the other way around.

Kylian Mbappe – ST - OVR 90>>96
Seeing as it is now confirmed that TOTS will be rated lower than their TOTY counterparts, as I expected to be the case its easy to predict that Mbappe will be 96 rated. The Frenchman continues to excel and has done so at the very best stage too. I think he is lingering on the best player in the world and once the likes of Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski decide to retire he should hold the crown for quite some time should he keep his form up and stay injury free. As for the current Ligue 1 campaign, Mbappe has dominated the golden boot race, scoring 25 times from 29 appearances, 6 more than anyone else in the division, despite playing less matches.

Memphis Depay – ST - OVR 85>>93
With 73 points from 36 games, it is perhaps bizarre that Lyon only sit in fourth position, although mathematically can still win the division with two games remaining. They are among the highest scoring sides in the division with 74 and Depay has played a huge role in that. With 19 goals and 10 assists the Dutchman is only beaten by Mbappe in terms of goal contributions and continues to excel while playing outside of the Premier League. He could be about to try his luck at the top again though after being spotted house hunting in Barcelona with his contract set to end at Lyon. So the question is what went wrong for Depay at United

Substitutes

Mike Maignan – GK - OVR 82>>91
Following the trend as par every other TOTS prediction I have created the keeper which has conceded the fewest goals makes my prediction. Lille’s Maignan claims the feat in Ligue 1 having only conceded 22 times from the 36 matches they have played. The Frenchman often comes up strong for them and has featured in L’equipe’s TOTW on multiple occasions, picking up two IF’s from EA in the process. I think this one is a pretty unanimous decision as far as TOTS selections go.

Jonathan Clauss – RWB - OVR 72>>88
Lens have been the surprise package of the season, currently sitting in sixth spot, just outside of European qualification. There have been a few players who have stood out but none more so than Clauss. The right wing back has caused a constant threat down the right-hand side and manages to get into L’equipes TOTW on an almost weekly basis. With nine offensive contributions, three goals and six assists, it’s easy to see why that is the case but even when he is not providing attacking returns, Clauss often still finds himself selected.

Lucas Paqueta – CM - OVR 76>>91
When you talk about best signings of the season Paqueta is not a name that would come up in normal conversation but for Ligue 1 especially he has to be right up there. Signing for Lyon from Milan this summer the Brazilian has become one of their most influential players this season. With seven goals and four assists his impact has been huge for the French side and even more so when you look towards average ratings from which he is very high within. The 20m fee paid by Lyon looks to be one hell of a bargain!

Florian Thauvin – RW - OVR 82>>90
With the title race so open this season Marseille will feel very disappointed despite sitting in fifth position. They are a long way behind the top four though sitting 18 points shy of it. Thauvin has perhaps been their standout player with both eight goals and eight assists from the wing. As far as average ratings go, he is far from the best but with decent statistics on paper I can see it being enough for him to sneak in, maybe as either an objective player or an SBC.

Gael Kakuta – CAM- OVR 75>>86
I’m really not sure as to how Kakuta is yet to have picked up a special item this year on FIFA. The Lens midfielder has been crucial to their success this season and just like his teammate Clauss, has been a regular member of L’equipes TOTW. The DR Congo international has managed to make double figures in terms of goals this season, with eleven to his name while also providing five assists. He will struggle to find his way into a 15-man side but potentially as an objective he could feature.

Karl Toko Ekambi – LW - OVR 78>>90
Technically EA have already given us an insight for Ekambi with a headliner item going his way showing us that they have identified him as one of the best players over the first part of the season. With twelve goals to his name now the Cameroon international is the highest non striker goal scorer in the division. For me that is something which is incredibly difficult to leave out and with Lyon being one of the big four this year it is inevitable that they will heavily feature in this year’s edition of the side.

Burak Yilmaz – ST - OVR 78>>90
It was slightly difficult to fit Yilmaz into this side with the Turkish forward only starting 21 matches but the fact he went on to be nominated for POTY in Ligue 1 speaks wonders for his performances and thus I simply cannot ignore him. Despite playing less than other candidates he has still managed to score 15 times and provide another 5 assists and his form particularly towards the business side of the campaign has been exemplary. Should Lille manage to secure the title that they probably deserve Yilmaz will have been a player who has contributed significantly to their success.

Reserves

Gaetan Laborde – ST - OVR 76>>89
Either one of Montpellier’s strikers could end up in this promo with both Laborde and Delort excelling at different times of the campaign. Laborde currently sitting on 15 goals and 8 assists while Delort has 14 goals and 9 assists. It is Laborde’s recent form which made me opt for him over Delort though with the Frenchman having a real impact on the closing parts of the season. The decision was very difficult though and even Volland could nip them to the post.

Farid Boulaya – CAM- OVR 72>>89
With myself creating this one so late It’s already confirmed that Boulaya will feature as part of the Ligue 1 promo as a moments player and as a result it is a free selection for myself. Metz sit in a respectable 11th position while a respectable five goals and eight assists from Boulaya makes him their standout player. The Algerian also managed to claim a POTM for the division which shows just how good he has been at times.

Steve Mandanda – GK - OVR 83>>92
With EA going down the route of flashback TOTS cards linked with the fact I began to struggle with this side means it makes sense to predict some of the promotional cards as well, one of which I feel could be Mandanda. The French keeper has been an integral part of Marseille over the years in both his spells but is now approaching the end of his career. I feel that at the top of his game Mandanda has been one of the best keeper Ligue 1 has seen, at least on a consistent basis anyway and for that reason I am more than confident that he qualifies for the criteria of a flashback.

Marco Verratti – CM- OVR 86>>94
With limited game time for Verratti this season it is highly unlikely that he will feature outright as a TOTS card. Instead that makes him a prime candidate for a flashback TOTS item, which is what we are seeing with other divisions already. Previous to this campaign Verratti had four consecutive TOTS inclusions. The Italian is still only 27 years of age which does beg questions for a flashback as I am sure when fit again, he will be among the best midfielders in the world. It just seems strange having a Ligue 1 performance-based promo without Verratti.

Tino Kadewere – RW- OVR 74>>74
Finally, we end the prediction with a silver star option. For me this was between two players, Kadwere and Gouri. The issue is I feel that we have more than enough strikers and thus Kadwere is the better option for me. Both players have excelled though and realistically either could make it. Kadwere has managed ten goals and three assists from the wing though it what be viewed as his breakthrough season despite being 25 years of age.