After a couple of underwhelming weeks, TOTW 9 looks to be a promising one with several big-name players standing out. Whether it's Salah, Katoto, or Osimhen, there are several players to get excited for!
TOTW 9 Predicted Starting XI
GK: Peter Gulacsi (Leipzig) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The Bundesliga had an extremely quiet week, and while it's unlikely the division will only receive one IF, the other will likely be a random inclusion. Gulacsi gains the nod, having made six saves to keep Leipzig's clean sheet during their 0-0 draw with Gladbach.
CB: Lilla Turanyi (Leverkusen) - 77 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Defenders were almost impossible to select this week, with very few standing out. Turanyi was one of the only defenders to score alongside a clean sheet. With that being the case, I find her difficult to leave out despite the overly mediocre card.
CB: Amir Rrahmani (Napoli) - 80 OVR -> 84 OVR:
With this match being featured with a showdown SBC, EA will already have one eye on the match. Rrahmani was named MOTM after providing the assist for Napoli, alongside a strong defensive display.
CB: Wilfried Singo (Monaco) - 79 OVR -> 84 OVR:
A bit of a punt now, especially after Tagliafico got snubbed last week for similar circumstances. I struggled to find defensive options, though, so Singo gets in, having received a 7 from L'Équipe for his performance during Monaco's 3-1 win over Strasbourg.
LM: Tabitha Chawinga (Lyon) - 84 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The first of two from Arkema is Chawinga. The Malawi international scored three and assisted another as Lyon built upon their massive win over PSG last week with an 8-0 away victory over Guingamp.
RM: Angel Di Maria (Benfica) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The title race in Portugal is often a two- or three-horse race, but this one looks to be extremely tight with Benfica, Porto, and Sporting all excelling early on. Benfica took bragging rights this weekend, beating Porto 4-1. Di Maria scored two of those four, making him a strong candidate for TOTW 9.
CAM: Laura Freigang (Frankfurt) - 83 OVR -> 86 OVR:
The pressure continues to grow on EA to award a SIF, with several players making a mark this week. Puig has been snubbed several times, but with a hat trick to her name, could Friegang be the first player to achieve the elusive SIF?
RM: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 89 OVR -> 90 OVR:
With Total Rush being one of the first promos in the game, I feel that the players in that promotion will now be eligible for IFs. Salah is a strong candidate after he scored once and assisted another during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
ST: Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) - 87 OVR -> 88 OVR:
The Turkish division is still seeing several options making it into TOTW. With Osimhen also being a popular option, I see that trend continuing after his brace in their latest match.
ST: Khadija Shaw (Manchester City) - 86 OVR -> 88 OVR:
Shaw falls into the exact same category as Friegang. While a four-week gap is minimal, with a hat trick, that gap can be reduced, and with it being week nine now, SIFs will start to appear. It's a risk to include both, but if one makes it, they both will. Shaw scored three as City beat Tottenham 4-0.
ST: Marie Katoto (PSG) - 88 OVR -> 89 OVR:
With the loan promo card not being in packs and expiring before the TOTW release, it won't affect Katoto's chances of making this side. With a hat trick to her name, she is a shoe-in for TOTW 9 as Arkema looks set to be a two-horse race already.
TOTW 9 Predicted Subs & Reserves
GK: Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid) - 81 OVR -> 85 OVR:
With Vini Jr and Bellingham both having promotional cards already, there is a risk involved in including either, so I have decided to take a punt on the Real Madrid option. Lunin provided an assist alongside his clean sheet. With Madrid winning 4-0, they will likely receive the IF, but it’s up to EA who they deem eligible.
CAM: Matheus Cunha (Wolves) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Wolves are starting to pick up some form now after a hard run of fixtures to start the season. Cunha has been a standout player in the turnaround and was pivotal once again this week. Scoring once and assisting another, he helped Wolves to a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Southampton.
RW: Lee Kang In (PSG) - 79 OVR -> 86 OVR:
With EA now awarding two featured players per week and higher upgrades, Lee Kang In looks to be a prime candidate. Having scored twice and assisted another during PSG's 4-2 win, he will definitely be in, whether that's featured or not.
RM: Malcom (Al Hilal) - 82 OVR -> 85 OVR:
The right-sided players continue, as so many performed from the right-hand side this week. Malcom managed a goal and an assist as Al Hilal recorded another win to stay top of the table.
ST: Kasper Dolberg (Anderlecht) - 76 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Anderlecht recorded a comfortable 5-0 win, with Dolberg scoring three of those five goals, adding more misery to Cercle Brugge's season.
ST: Moise Kean (Fiorentina) - 78 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Kean is another player who could make the side despite having a live promotional item. The Italian scored all three of Fiorentina's goals as they went on to beat Verona 3-1.
ST: Yoane Wissa (Brentford) - 79 OVR -> 84 OVR:
It was yet another high-scoring match for Brentford, and once again they came out on top. Beating Bournemouth 3-2, Wissa scored two of those three to continue his strong return from injury.
RB: Gabriele Zappa (Cagliari) - 70 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Starting off the reserves, we have the usual defensive option. Zappa stands out, having scored twice to ensure Cagliari recorded a point against AC Milan with a 3-3 draw
RM: Kwame Poku (Peterborough) - 69 OVR -> 83 OVR:
We now move on to the hat tricks, with more occurring this week than in any of the previous eight. Poku scored three and assisted another as Peterborough went on to beat Cambridge 6-1.
RM: Nicolas Milanovic (Western Sydney) - 67 OVR -> 83 OVR:
This would be the second IF from the A-League since their return to domestic football, both of which come from wide midfielders. Milanovic managed three this time during a 4-1 home win.
ST: Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague) - 74 OVR -> 83 OVR:
I am unsure whether EA will opt for this division or leave it similarly to Shakhtar Donetsk. This will be the test for that, though, after Chytil scored three from the bench during Slavia's 5-1 home win.
ST: Samuel Mraz (Motor) - 62 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Ending the prediction, we head over to Poland with Motor recording a 3-2 away win over Piast. Mraz scored all three of those goals, putting him in line for an impressive +21 rating.
That concludes this week's Team of the Week predictions! What do you make of these predictions? Is there anyone else who should have made the TOTW? Let us know below!