TOTW 22 Predictions FIFA 23

Aaron

27-Mar-23 09:44

FIFA23 Predictions

TOTW 22 sees an international break take over and as is often the case several big names star within. Lukaku refunds his form, Son stars for South Korea and positional changes for both Cancelo and Pulisic stand out.

Mike Maignan - GK - 87 > 88 OVR

Five saves, pen save and clean sheet / France 4 Netherlands 0 / 7 L’equipe Rating

Mbappe showed exactly why he is among the best in the world with a sublime showing against the Netherlands. With a recent POTM for the Frenchman, I can see him getting snubbed though. Goalkeepers are always difficult to select during the International break and so Maignan offers a viable shout despite not being MOTM.

Stefan Savic - CB - 84 > 87 OVR

Clean sheet / Bulgaria 0 - Montenegro 1 / 8.1 Whoscored Rating

With no clear-cut options at the back this week I had to make several punts to fill out the side. Savic is probably the best option after he ensured Montenegro kept all three points and their clean sheet, producing a goalline clearance. He went on to be named MOTM and was one of the best defensive options available this week.

Johan Vasquez - CB - 72 > 81 OVR

Goal and clean sheet / Suriname 0 - Mexico 2 / MOTM

Although it’s unlikely that a low-rated option will make it into the starting line-up with limited options on defenders I fully expect a random or two to make the cut. Vasquez is at least guessable and could sneak onto the bench for example thus increasing my overall score which is the aim. The Mexican scored the opener during their 2-0 win over Suriname.

Youssouf Sabaly - RB - 76 > 86 OVR

Goal and assist / Senegal 5 - Mozambique 1 / 8.2 Sofascore

Senegal continued their 100% in AFCON qualifying with a comfortable 5-1 win at home to Mozambique. Sabaly scored the opener and then provided the assist for Mane. With two goal contributions as a gold defender, it seems impossible that Sabaly gets subbed here.

Heung Min Son - LM - 89 > 91 OVR

Two goals / South Korea 2 - Colombia 2 / MOTM

While there used to be a time from which friendly matches simply wouldn’t count EA have started to use them more and more during international breaks. I have ignored a few but included the higher-profile ones. Son scored two first-half goals for South Korea before being pegged back in the second half.

Sandro Tonali - CM - 84 > 87 OVR

Two assists / Malta 0 - Italy 2 / 7.9 Whoscored RatiItaly needed to get got off the mark against Malta after losing their opening match to England and as expected it’s exactly what they did. Not overly convincing only winning 2-0 but with Tonali providing the assists on both goals he stands a decent chance of making this side.

Christian Pulisic - CAM - 82 > 85 OVR

One goal, two assists / Grenada 1 - USA 7 / MOTM

An American IF is inevitable this week after they recorded a 7-1 win but it is a very tight call between both Pulisic and McKennie. I opted for the former simply due to being named MOTM on the official MLS site but McKennie is still a strong option, especially with the featured potential.

Joao Cancelo - RM - 88 > 90 OVR

One goal / Portugal 4 - Liechtenstein 0 / 10 Whoscored Rating

Although on paper it was just one goal for Cancelo the Munich man was involved in practically everything. Providing the deflected cross for Silva, winning the penalty for Ronaldo and also providing the pre-assist for the fourth. There is a reason his match rating was so high and in an international week known for being lenient, I would be shocked if he was snubbed.

Dusan Tadic - CF - 84 > 88 OVR

Goal and assist / Serbia 2 - Lithuania 0 / 8.6 Whoscored Rating

We have seen the best of Tadic this season at Ajax and the Serbian has continued his form over to the international level. Being involved in both their goals as they recorded a comfortable 2-0 home win.

Patson Daka - ST - 77 > 86 OVR

Two goals / Lesotho 0 - Zambia 2 / MOTM

Options for the featured TOTW players were few and far between but with Daka scoring both Zambian goals he is by far the most desirable FIFA card upon a big boost with his pace and league making him a usable option.

Romelu Lukaku - ST - 86 > 88 OVR

Hat trick / Sweden 0 - Belgium 3 / 9.2 Whoscored Rating

Lukaku has struggled with Inter this season managing just three goals in Serie A. He looked back at his best during the International break though, scoring all three of Belgium's goals in a strong 3-0 win over Sweden. Potentially the confidence boost the Belgian striker needed.

Substitutes

Danny Ward - GK - 75 > 83 OVR

Seven saves / Croatia 1 - Wales 1 / 7.6 Whoscored Rating

Croatia will be heavy favourites to win Group D with the second spot then up for grabs. Wales will be very happy with a point away from home and thanks to Ward that was possible. The Welshman made save after save to ensure that they came away with something.

Radev Krunic - CM - 77 > 83 OVR

Two goals / Bosnia 3 - Iceland 0 / 8.7 Whoscored Rating

With Portugal being strong favourites for group J it was pivotal that Bosnia sta off strong against a respectable Iceland side. That is exactly what they did and convincingly at that. Krunic scored both the first and second goals before Dedic put the icing on the cake.

Scott McTominay - CM - 80 > 84 OVR

Two goals / Scotland 3 - Cyprus 0 / 8.2 Whoscored Rating

Although McTominay didn’t come on until the 67th minute his impact still makes him a strong option for this side. Scoring in both the 87th and 92nd minutes the United midfielder secured the win for Scotland.

Marcel Sabitzer - CM - 80 > 84 OVR

One goal, two assists / Austria 4 - Azerbaijan 1 / 10 Whoscored Rating

Although Sabitzer’s recent FantasyFut card does make this selection a risk I feel that there is just enough room between them. On performance alone, the Austrian is nailed on though after he was involved in three of Austria’s four goals as they started their group off with a win.

Renato Steffen - CF - 76 > 83 OVR

Hat trick / Belarus 0 - Switzerland 5 / 9.4 Whoscored Rating

Switzerland recorded one of the bigger wins this week, scoring five without reply when travelling away to Belarus. There were a couple of options for the IF but Steffan is the obvious choice here.

Niclas Fullkrug - ST - 75 > 85 OVR

Two goals / Germany 2 - Peru 0 / Kicker MOTM

Germany fielded a rather unorthodox side in their friendly with Peru but it gave the fringe players a chance to show why they deserved their chance. Fullkrug continued his brilliant form from the Bundesliga to the international stage, scoring both Germany's goals to secure the win.

Jordan Morris - ST - 72 > 85 OVR

Four goals / Sporting Kansas 1 - Seattle 4 / 10 Whoscored Rating

It seems that the current gap between IF’s for EA is set at 4 weeks. That gap allows Morris to claim his SIF which after he scored four goals this weekend is a fully deserved upgrade.