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TOTW 16 Predictions: Key Players & Standouts

    By Dore Madeline

    Introduction and Overview

    https://c2c.fp.guinfra.com/file/6a03dd798f7d7bd7c1c7f6f5XQejzGPI03

    During the holiday season, most top leagues pause except for the Premier League and Serie A, which continue their fixtures.

    These two leagues, together with AFCON, are the primary sources for Team of the Week 16 selections.

    Players such as Cherki, Mahrez, and Watkins emerge as notable choices, supported by an impressive featured performance from Kalulu.

    Goalkeeper Predictions

    Martin Dubravka stood out among goalkeepers this week, delivering a standout performance in Burnley's goalless draw against Everton.

    He made six crucial saves to ensure his side kept a clean sheet, earning him the Man of the Match accolade.

    With few other notable goalkeeper contenders, Dubravka’s display and high Sofascore rating make him a leading candidate for Team of the Week recognition.

    Defender Predictions

    • With only Serie A and the Premier League featuring among the top leagues this week, several Team of the Week picks are less obvious than usual. The standout fixture was Atalanta versus Inter Milan, where Manuel Akanji distinguished himself as the only defender from the match to earn a Gazzetta rating of 7, playing a key role in Inter’s clean sheet victory. This performance makes him a strong candidate for an in-form upgrade.
    • Pierre Kalulu is another prominent name likely to be included, especially as he has yet to receive a promotional card this season. The French center-back not only helped Juventus keep a clean sheet against Pisa but also found the back of the net, earning Man of the Match honors with a solid showing. His contribution in both defense and attack could see him featured with a significant upgrade.
    • Expanding the selection beyond domestic leagues, Edmond Tapsoba’s impact for Burkina Faso in their 2-1 win over Equatorial Guinea stands out. Despite initial hesitation about including AFCON performances, the limited number of matches this week makes his case stronger. Scoring one of his team’s goals and earning a high Sofascore rating, Tapsoba’s display puts him firmly in contention for TOTW recognition.

    Midfield and Winger Predictions

    Malcom (RW, 82 > 87 OVR)

    Delivered a standout performance for Al-Hilal, contributing both a goal and an assist in their narrow 3-2 victory over Al-Khaleej.

    Achieved a perfect 10 Sofascore rating, making him a likely candidate for this week’s Team of the Week despite EA’s usual hesitance to feature multiple Saudi league players.

    Rayan Cherki (CAM, 81 > 85 OVR)

    Played a pivotal role for Manchester City in their 2-1 win against Forest, scoring one goal and assisting another.

    Earned a 9 Sky rating; although his recent Joga Bonito card poses some risk, the time gap and difference in stats make his inclusion probable.

    Nico Paz (CAM, 79 > 85 OVR)

    Impressed for Como in Serie B with a goal and an assist during their 3-0 win over Lecce.

    Received MOTM honors and a 7.5 Gazzetta rating, further validating Real Madrid’s quick activation of his buyback clause.

    Riyad Mahrez (RM, 84 > 86 OVR)

    Continued his strong run with Algeria, scoring twice in a 3-0 win over Sudan and netting the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory against Burkina Faso.

    His 9.1 Sofascore rating highlights his influence and makes him a strong contender for Team of the Week selection as Algeria moves closer to AFCON knockout qualification.

    Striker Predictions

    Kieffer Moore made a significant impact for Wrexham, netting two goals in a thrilling 5-3 comeback victory over Sheffield United. Despite being 3-1 down, Wrexham rallied to claim all three points, with Moore’s clinical finishing earning him an outstanding Sofascore rating of 8.4.

    Christopher Nkunku found his form for AC Milan, scoring twice in their convincing 3-0 win against Verona. His performance was a highlight in Serie A action this week, and his contributions were recognized with a solid Gazzetta rating of 7.5, making him a strong candidate for a Team of the Week upgrade.

    Ollie Watkins proved decisive for Aston Villa after coming off the bench against Chelsea. With Villa trailing, Watkins scored almost immediately and then added another, securing a 2-1 away victory. His efforts not only helped Villa extend their winning streak to eleven games but also matched a club record that has stood for a century. He earned a top Sky rating of 9 for his match-winning display.

    Substitutes Highlights

    Nicolas Otamendi, playing as a center-back for Benfica, scored a crucial goal in their 2-2 away draw with Braga. His contribution helped maintain Benfica’s unbeaten streak, despite the difficulty in selecting standout defenders this week.

    Ademola Lookman was instrumental for Nigeria in their 3-2 victory over Tunisia at AFCON, scoring once and assisting twice. With direct involvement in all three goals, his performance stands out as one of the best of the tournament so far.

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