Coming off the back of what was potentially the worst TOTW of all time we do have some players which catch the eye. The first SIF of FIFA 22 with Salah, alongside potential OTW upgrades for both Upamecano and Alaba headline the TOTW 6 predictions.
Goalkeeper
Alfred Gomis – GK - OVR 76>>81
This was a difficult call as I really wanted to include Aguerd for his goal and clean sheet during Rennes 1-0 win over Strasbourg but there was a severe lack of goalkeeping options this week and had I have opted for Aguerd I would have then struggled to select a keeper. L’equipe’s keeper of the week is often the safe bet in weeks like this and thus Gomis who picked up a seven for his couple of crucial saves seems to be the best option.
Defenders
Sebastian Coates – CB - OVR 83>>85
It’s difficult when you get multiple players perform well in a division such as Portugal with EA often preferring to limit those division to one IF a week for some reason, despite them often deserving more. I have decided to include two this week with Coates being the 50/50 one. That being said after scoring the only goal of the game against Moreirense, keeping Sporting level with Porto on 23 points at the top of the table. I can see EA including both players. Especially seeing as Coates went on to be awarded an impressive 8 match rating from Abola.
Dayot Upamecano – CB - OVR 82>>84
Bundesliga looks to be the league to go to this year with several meta players appearing each week. Upamecano was of course already up there but with an IF boost likely coming his way, he gets that much better. What's more is Munich will almost certainly gain the win boost for the OTW meaning Upamecano will be 86 rated soon enough! He gets the nod this week after providing two assists from the back alongside helping keep Munich’s clean sheet during their 4-0 win over Hoffenheim.
David Alaba – CB - OVR 84>>86
Although there were better options than Alaba in defence this week I would be very surprised if he went on to miss out. That is with the El Classico being one of EA’s go to games for IF’s, as it probably should be. Barcelona v Madrid is still arguably the biggest domestic game in world football despite both sides dropping off as of late. Madrid was the side to come out on top, winning 2-1 thanks to Alaba and Vazquez goals, Alaba was named MOTM though and thus should take home the IF on Wednesday.
Midfielders
Mohamed Salah – RW - OVR 89>>91
The first SIF of a FIFA is always a difficult one to predict with EA often holding out as long as possible to award it. I jumped the gun on Anderson last week but surely there is no question about Salah’s inclusion in TOTW 6. Liverpool humiliated Manchester United in what is likely set to me OGS last match in charge of the club, running away as 5-0 winners. Salah scored three and assisted another to continue his ludicrous form for Liverpool. If EA somehow opt to snub Salah, Keita will then be the man who picks up the IF.
Mason Mount – CAM - OVR 83>>85
Mendy was robbed of a TOTW last week and once again we have selected a Chelsea player and he is even more nailed on than Mendy was. Chelsea showed their dominance while Norwich showed they are potentially the worst side to grace the Premier League with the blues coming away with a 7-0 win. Multiple players made their claim for a TOTW position but Mounts hat trick and assist is the obvious choice here.
Ismael Bennacer – CM - OVR 80>>83
It’s a tight race at the top of Serie A between both Napoli and AC Milan who have now both won eight and drawn one of their opening nine matches, leaving a seven-point gap between them and third. Milans latest triumph came via a 4-2 away win over Bologna. There were not many Serie A options but those who stood out realistically should end up making it. Bennacer’s goal and assist should be enough and could even see him picking up featured TOTW.
Yussuf Poulsen – LW - OVR 77>>81
I am not certain on the position which Poulsen came on to play at but even if he classified as a striker, I still believe that he will end up making the side. Leipzig found themselves 1 down at halftime before making a couple of subs. Poulsen was one of them and he completely changed the match, scoring once and assisted another to help them on their way to a 4-1 win. Poulsen was named MOTM with a 1.5 match rating and with a lack of clear Bundesliga options he should end up walking into the side.
Forwards
Giovanni Simone – ST - OVR 75>>84
After last weeks featured TOTW choice of Suarez I am unsure of how EA are going to select these. I originally presumed it was going to be on the cards which would make the most impact in terms of meta but now I am entirely unsure. If anyone deserves a double upgrade this week however it is without a doubt Simone. The Argentine put in one of the best performances you will see this season, scoring four against Lazio, helping Verona record a shock 4-1 win by doing so. Gazzetta handed out a 9/10 for his performance, a score which you see only once a year on average.
Kevin Volland – ST - OVR 83>>85
From four goals to just one goal and one assist, quite the change however with the majority of striker options being low rated golds alongside the only Ligue 1 also following that trend I feel that Volland will end up getting the nod as a result. The German featured in L’equipes side with a 7/10 as Monaco managed a 3-1 home win over Montpellier
Sebastian Haller – ST - OVR 80>>83
Every time I expect Tadic to be the player obtaining the IF VI come out and give a different player POTW. EA seemingly go with the VI POTW or nobody and thus Tadic will likely miss out once again, despite being Ajax’s best player week in week out. Haller was the player who ended up receiving the award from VI and with Ajax showing PSV up, 5-0, it is inevitable that they will receive an IF. Haller’s goal and assist should be enough to see him in.
Substitutes
Duje Caleta-Car – CB - OVR 78>>82
With Marseille managing to hold PSG to a 0-0 draw this weekend it was always likely that a defensive option would appear from said match. Caleta-Car was the only name featuring in L’equipe’s TOTW and thus is the sensible option to select. With 75% of his duels won, 3 tackles and five interceptions he played a big role in keeping PSG quiet.
Antonio Candreva – RM - OVR 79>>82
Sampdoria have struggled so far this season so their match with Spezia this weekend was very influential at the bottom of the table. Sampdoria picked up all three points, largely thanks to Candreva who played a huge roll in both goals. The Italian whipped in the freekick which took a deflection of a Spezia player before then adding a goal to secure a 2-1 win. He was awarded the second highest match rating of the week by Gazzetta with an 8/10 for his performance
Oliver Torres – CAM - OVR 77>>81
Potentially the game of the weekend was played out in Spain with Sevilla and Levante producing an eight-goal thriller, of which Sevilla won 5-3. Torres looks set to pick up an IF from the match after scoring a magnificent volley from a corner, which has been compared to the famous Scholes one while also picking up an assist. Torres could potentially be the featured player but with La Liga picking up last weeks I would expect it to go elsewhere.
Luciano Vietto – CAM - OVR 75>>81
Vietto never really reached his potential and now at 27 plays his football in the Saudi division, practically securing his financial future but ending his days at the top divisions in the process. Al Hilal are unbeaten so far this season, winning four and drawing three. The latest being a 3-2 home win over Al Raed from which Vietto scored twice.
Taremi – ST - OVR 79>>82
Unlike the past couple of weeks, we have had a lot of gold striker options. The hat tricks will obviously take preference and thus the likes of Taremi are very likely to be included. The Iranian scored all three of Porto’s goals as they recorded a 3-1 away win over 10-man Tondela. Resulting in Porto still being undefeated from their opening nine fixtures.
Joselu – ST - OVR 77>>81
Whenever someone mentions the name Joselu I always think of the TOTY nominee he received in FIFA 21 and that will always likely be the case now. The 77 rated non-rare should be in line for a TOTW this week though after scoring twice for Deportivo in a 2-0 away win over Cadiz.
Joshua King – ST - OVR 75>>81
It looked as though Everton were going to take home all three points going deep into the second at 2-1 up but Watford had other idea, scoring four goals late on to storm away with a 5-2 win. King managed to score three of those goals and made it clear that his lack of chances for first team football at Everton made the goals that much more meaningful for him. Ironically King was without a goal from his first six Premier League games for Watford. An easy selection for this side.
Reserves
Thomas Ouwejan – LB - OVR 72>>79
After a dismal showing in the Bundesliga last season Schalke are playing in the Bundesliga 2 this season, a league which you just wouldn’t associate a side like Schalke with. They are currently sitting in third position, looking to bounce straight back to the top division. Their latest result was a 3-0 home win against Dreseden from which their LB, Ouwejan was involved in all three goals, scoring once and assisting the other two. He picked up player of the week with a perfect 1 match rating and despite all the hat tricks should be the first name on the reserves bench this week.
Veton Berisha – ST - OVR 70>>78
There were a lot of hat tricks this week and some will inevitably miss out but as to who that will be is a very difficult call. Berisha was another who managed three goals from ST. This time coming via a 5-1 home win for Viking as they continue to impress this season. VG awarded Berisha MOTM with a big 9/10 match rating which should secure his spot in the side.
Ryan Bowman – ST - OVR 64>>74
You may get excited when you see an English silver IF is likely on the way. That is until you see his stats. Unfortunately, Bowman is not going to be an in-demand option for your silver league sides. That being said he still deserves his place in the team after scoring three goals for Shrewsbury on Saturday as they went on to beat Cambridge 4-1 at home.
Erik Exposito – ST - OVR 67>>76
There were some high scoring matches in the Polish division this weekend with three of four matches on the Saturday alone seeing five or more goals. Inevitably this has resulted in an IF from one of the matches, with Exposito scoring three of Wroclaw’s five goals during a 5-0 away win over Krakow.
Cristian Arango – ST - OVR 72>>79
Although the MLS is not the biggest of leagues a hat trick from the division is ahead of many other lower leagues simply due to the audience for FIFA in the states. Thus, Arango makes the prediction for his hat trick during a 3-2 away win for Los Angeles against FC Dallas. The visitors found themselves behind twice but Arango’s goals saw them take away all three points.