TOTW 2 Predictions

After a strong opening week to FIFA 22 predictions with 18/23 we look to continue that form onto the TOTW 2 prediction. There was a lot of competition for places with multiple leagues playing twice and thus it was difficult to narrow it down but it has also resulted in a decent side with the likes of Benzema, Hernandez and Zakaria all making the prediction while Hakimi is also in line for a OTW boost.
 

Goalkeeper

Jose Sa – GK - OVR 79>>82
It’s not often that a goalkeeper is involved offensively so when they are it is often the case that they are included in TOTW. Not only did Sa provide the assist on the only goal of the match but he also put on a display between the sticks, making a total of six saves in order to keep the Wolves clean sheet intact. With the Portuguese stopper being influential at both ends of the field it makes him a strong candidate for TOTW 2.

Defenders

Theo Hernandez – LB - OVR 84>>86
Hernandez was among the best LB’s in the game after a flurry of special items last season and early doors suggest the same will happen again in 22. We saw Dzeko awarded a TOTW after coming off the bench last week and thus I can’t see why Theo Hernandez won’t make the side this time around. The Frenchman came off the bench with the scores level before scoring and providing an assist to help AC Milan to a 2-0 win over Venezia.

Kortney Hause – CB - OVR 75>>81
One of the bigger upsets this week came with Villa claiming all three points at Old Trafford, there was a lot of late drama with Hause scoring the only goal of the game in the final minutes before United were then awarded a penalty, which Fernandes proceeded to smash well over the bar. With Hause being a gold this year I can’t see any scenario from which he doesn’t pick up his IF.

Achraf Hakimi – RB - OVR 85>>86
Life at PSG has been difficult for some however one player who has taken to life well is Hakimi, who continues to excel and develop as one of the best RB’s worldwide. The Moroccan managed to score both PSG goals during their closely contested 2-1 win over Metz, claiming an 8/10 for doing so. Hakimi as a result is inevitably going to be the first OTW to be upgraded in 22.

Midfielders

Bukayo Saka – RM - OVR 80>>83
I don’t think many expected the North London Derby to be heavily in favour of Arsenal but that’s the way it ended up going. The Gunners got off to a flyer, going 3-0 up in the first half. Tottenham did come back into the match during the second half but the damage was already done. An Arsenal IF is practically guaranteed although there are a few options. I feel that Saka with a goal and an assist is the best though and thus he makes my prediction.

Marco Asensio – CM - OVR 83>>85
Real Madrid look set to be the side to beat in La Liga this season with an early lead after managing 16 points from their opening 6 games. They could easily have more than one player included for TOTW 2 but I simply can’t overlook a hat trick from midfield and thus Asenio makes the cut ahead of Benzema’s two goals and two assists in a 6-1 home win over Mallorca.

Denis Zakaria – CDM - OVR 80>>83
As far as 83 rated cards go Zakaria is going to be one of the most expensive ones you will see for a long time. With good pace, strength and defensive stats he instantly becomes one of the best CDM options in the game let alone the division. The IF status also brings more desire to own him. He gets the IF suggestion after scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Dortmund.

Christopher Nkunku – CAM - OVR 81>>84
There is some serious hype building towards Nkunku this season with the talented Frenchman excelling in several matches. At just 23 years of age the future looks bright and should his form continue, there will be several sides looking the sign Nkunku in January, let alone the summer. His latest performance came with Leipzig recording a 6-0 win over Hertha, with Nkunku scoring twice and assisting another.

Felipe Anderson – LM - OVR 78>>84
Referred to as the Derby della Capitale, Lazio v Roma is a big game over in Italy which often puts on good spectacles. This was no different with a five-goal thriller, seeing Lazio come away with a 3-2 win. Anderson was named MOTM with a 7.5 match rating and in turn looks to be a very strong shout for not just TOTW but also the featured TOTW slot.

Forwards

Karim Benzema – ST - OVR 89>>90
It’s very rare that we see multiple players from the same fixture however on this occasion everything is pointing the way of it happening. Both Asensio and Benzema are two of the best options available to us this week and although Asensio is probably the favourite, Benzema with two goals and two assists cannot be overlooked in my eyes and thus we have two Madrid players included.

Victor Osimhen – ST - OVR 80>>83
There were two very strong Napoli options from the midweek fixtures with both Osimhen and Fabian Ruiz picking up an 8/10 match rating from Gazzetta. I feel as though we are very limited on strikers this week though and thus I have to place the preference towards them. With two goals to his name Osimhen looks to walk into the side with very little competition from other gold strikers.

Substitutes

Benoit Costil – GK - OVR 79>>82
I originally had Pepe Reina in this position due to an outstanding midweek performance but with the inclusion of Anderson from the second set of fixtures I just couldn’t go with two Lazio options and thus Costil gets the nod instead. The Frenchman made a total of eight saves as Bordeaux managed a 1-1 draw with Rennes. L’equipe awarded him an 8/10 which for a goalkeeper practically guarantees you a spot.

Artiz Elustondo – CB - OVR 79>>82
Although Egan, who was a gold CB, missed out last week for two goals I can't see the same happening in consecutive weeks. Especially with this one coming in a top five league. Although Sociedad conceded twice it was Elustondo’s goals which helped secure the three points with the visitors winning 3-2 away to Granada.

Benjamin Bourigeaud – CM - OVR 78>>81
Unlike last weekend where Ligue 1 options were difficult to come by this time around there was potentially too many. Rennes recorded a 6-0 win on Wednesday over Clermont and a few options were present from that although none are guaranteed. Bourigeaud provided two assists and was one of three players to claim an 8/10 from L’equipe. Sulemana is arguably the best option but with him being silver I can’t see him making EA’s side and thus Benjamin seems the most likely.

Cody Gakpo – LM - OVR 78>>82
There were a lot of mid-week options from the Eredivisie this week but as seen by EA last week the POTW gets major preference with Ajax missing out despite winning 9-0. Gakpo was the player to pick up the award after his goal and assist helped PSV bounce back from a disappointing result to then win 2-1. Gakpo could potentially be the featured TOTW player however I feel as though they will stick to the main leagues, at least for the start.

Willian Jose – CB - OVR 77>>81
A late addition to the side saw Willian Jose sneak in from his Sunday evening fixture from which he scored both Real Betis goals to lead them to a 2-0 win at home to Getafe. I have already mentioned the lack of strikers but should EA want to sell a few more packs Vardy could sneak in which would probably also be at the expense of the Brazilian. I believe that Jose was the stronger performance though and thus he gets the nod from myself.

Paul Ebere Onuachu – ST - OVR 79>>82
The first of two hat tricks to predict on the substitutes bench comes with Genk’s Onuachu. The Nigerian missed a penalty early on in the game but redeemed himself well and truly after scoring all three of their goals afterwards. Of which included a penalty. It was a result which puts the Belgian outlet just one point behind league leaders, Brugge.

Stefano Okaka – CB - OVR 75>>81
Gold strikers were the most difficult position to predict this week with only a couple standing out, Okaka was one of those after the Italian managed to score all three of Basaksehir’s goals during their 3-0 home win over Rizespor. It's been a slow season for the hosts so far after a couple of decent campaigns so they will be hoping that some momentum will occur as a result of this match.

Reserves

Sang Hoon Ma – CB - OVR 60>>70
The first of three potential silver IF’s this week comes with the K-Leagues Sang Hoon Ma. The central defender scored twice for Seongnam as they recorded a 2-0 home win over Gangwon. Two silver IF’s may be pushing it but with no FUT champs as it stands the quality of players is not as important as it will be in a few weeks’ time.

Ben Brereton – LM - OVR 71>>78
Early signs are that it will be a very competitive Championship campaign with several sides looking promising early on, Blackburn are one of those sides having only lost once so far this season. Their most recent result was a very convincing 5-1 home win over Cardiff, Brereton scored three of those five from LM and thus is an easy inclusion for TOTW 2.

Gianluca Lapadula – ST - OVR 72>>79
Serie B once again have fallen victim to licensing issues which has seen a limited number of sides from the division included. EA were seemingly harsh on times with Serie B and awarding IF’s during FIFA 21 but when there was a standout performer, they usually went on to be included. I feel as though Lapadula falls into that category after scoring a hat trick for Benevento as they went on to pick up all three points.

Thomas Sabitzer – ST - OVR 63>>73
We correctly predicted the silver inclusion last week but there was only one option, this time around there is three which makes it difficult to narrow down. Tirol recorded their first win of the season on the ninth attempt while playing at home to SV Ried. Sabitzer scored three of their four goals while playing ST, hopefully to kickstart their season.

Gustaf Nilsson – ST - OVR 64>>74
Continuing on the theme of silver players our final inclusion this week comes with Nilsson. I avoided Kamara last week due to two of his three goals being from the spot but EA went on to include him so I am not going to make the same mistake twice and thus Nilsson makes my side for exactly that. The Swede did also add an assist which only increases his chances.