FC 26 Team of The Week 5 Predictions!

While TOTW has lacked a little over the past couple of weeks, we head into the international week, one which often doesn’t fail to impress. This is no different, with big names across the board. Considering this is just week 5, there could be as many as eleven players rated 86 and above this week!

Stole Dimitrievski - GK - 79 > 82 OVR

Five saves and clean sheet / Belgium 0 - North Macedonia 0 / 8.3 Sofascore Rating

Belgium entered their World Cup qualifier as heavy favourites while hosting North Macedonia, but the away side had other ideas. They kept compact as a unit and managed to keep the scores level, coming away with a valuable point. Dimitrievski was there when called upon, making a total of five saves.

Stefan Posch - RB - 79 > 82 OVR

Two goals, one assist and clean sheet / Austria 10 - San Marino 0 / 9.6 Sofascore Rating

San Marino are often on the end of some high-scoring defeats. Austria were the latest, scoring ten without response. Arnautović managed to score four, but with him not featuring in this year's game, we have to look at other options. Although San Marino don’t offer much, three attacking returns as a defender are still worthy of a spot in this side, which is what Posch managed.

Marc Guehi - CB - 82 > 84 OVR

Two assists and clean sheet / England 3 - Wales 0 / 7 Sky Rating

With England’s second fixture being on Tuesday, it’s likely too late for consideration in TOTW 5. I do expect them to receive an IF as per usual though, thus making Guehi stand out. The English CB has been in sublime form all season, and that carried over to the international stage, providing two assists as England dominated Wales, winning 3-0.

Joshua Kimmich - RB - 89 > 90 OVR

Two goals and clean sheet / Germany 4 - Luxembourg 0 / 10 Sofascore Rating

It comes as no surprise to see Germany comfortably beat Luxembourg this weekend, but it looks to have produced an easy IF selection. Kimmich, who played at RB, scored twice while keeping the clean sheet intact. Should EA opt to keep his CM secondary position, or alternatively use CDM, this IF should be very good.

Klara Buhl - LM - 86 > 87 OVR

One goal, one assist / Wolfsburg 1 - Munich 3 / 9 Sofascore Rating

This is one of the decisive matches in the Frauen-Bundesliga season, with both Munich and Wolfsburg being the dominant sides. Munich took a major step towards a successful season with a 3-1 away win on Saturday. I would expect an IF from this match, and with Bühl managing both a goal and an assist, it looks likely to go her way.

Lionel Messi - CAM - 86 > 87 OVR

Two goals, one assist / Inter Miami 4 - Atlanta 0 / 9.6 Sofascore Rating

Messi has been knocking on the door for several weeks now and continues to perform week in, week out for Inter Miami. In other weeks, there have been other MLS options that simply outperformed him, but this time around he is the best option in the division, and for that, I feel he finally gets included.

Rodrygo - CAM - 85 > 86 OVR

Two goals / South Korea 0 - Brazil 5 / 9 Sofascore Rating

While there was a time when EA wouldn’t include friendly international matches, they have done for a while now. With Brazil winning comfortably away at South Korea, an IF looks likely for them. Both Rodrygo and Estêvão scored twice, but with Rodrygo going on to claim MOTM, it makes sense to lean towards him.

Caroline Weir - RW - 85 > 86 OVR

Two goals / Athletic Club 1 - Real Madrid 4 / 9.2 Sofascore Rating

The Liga F IF could end up with Barcelona after their impressive win, but it’s Weir who stands out in terms of individual performance, with the Scottish midfielder scoring twice for Real Madrid as they went on to win 4-1 away from home.

Mohamed Salah - RM - 91 > 92 OVR

Two goals / Djibouti 0 - Egypt 3 / MOTM

Onto another big name now, with Salah being the star for Egypt once again. Although it was against weaker opposition, the Egyptian icon showed his worth, scoring two of their three goals in a comfortable 3-0 away win as Egypt maintained their unbeaten qualifying campaign.

Hakan Calhanoglu - CDM - 86 > 87 OVR

Two assists / Bulgaria 1 - Turkiye 6 / 8.5 Sofascore Rating

There were several IF candidates from Türkiye’s 6-1 away win over Bulgaria, with a trio being the best three. I ruled Güler out due to his recent inclusion in Rating Reload, and Yıldız has also featured as an IF already this season. For that reason, I opted for Hakan, who provided two assists from CDM.

Erling Haaland - ST - 90 > 92 OVR

Hat trick / Norway 5 - Israel 0 / 9.1 Sofascore Rating

Granted, Haaland already has an IF and a POTM, and while this would be just week five of the game, the Norwegian’s form is unstoppable at the moment. He bagged another hat-trick this weekend, which ultimately puts him in line for his SIF. EA could declare it too early, but with several other players featuring in two promotions already, I’m willing to take the punt.

Substitutes

Emmanuel Agbadou - CB - 79 > 84 OVR

One goal, one assist and clean sheet / Seychelles 0 - Ivory Coast 7

Another high-scoring match now, with Ivory Coast travelling to Seychelles and scoring seven. There is no obvious IF from this one, but both central defenders make a strong case. Agbadou is my selection, with a strong base card in a popular division, alongside a goal and an assist.

Ruslan Malinovskyi - CM - 76 > 81 OVR

Two goals / Iceland 3 - Ukraine 5 / 7.9 Sofascore Rating

Iceland and Ukraine played out an eight-goal thriller, with Ukraine coming out on top 5-3. From the match, Malinovskyi seems to be the only potential player for an IF, having scored twice from CM. Although his match rating is average, with there being eight goals in the match, it’s a game that stands out to me.

Cody Gakpo - LW - 84 > 86 OVR

Two goals, one assist / Malta 0 - Netherlands 4 / 9.6 Sofascore Rating

While two from the same club doesn’t happen during domestic weeks, with this occurring at international level, it means Liverpool can receive multiple IFs. Gakpo had a dominant week for the Netherlands, but it’s his first performance specifically that gets the nod for an IF, with two goals and an assist from LW during a comfortable 4-0 away win.

Riyad Mahrez - RW - 84 > 86 OVR

One goal, two assists / Somalia 0 - Algeria 3 / MOTM

Mahrez was involved in all three of Algeria’s goals during their 3-0 away win over Somalia, scoring once and assisting another two. With there being so many high-rated cards already, there is a chance that EA opt for Amoura’s brace instead, but Mahrez is the player who should end up getting in, for me.

Ruben Neves - CDM - 84 > 86 OVR

One goal / Portugal 1 - Ireland 0 / 8.7 Sofascore Rating

Portugal made it three wins from three to start their World Cup qualification process. The latest win came thanks to a 91st-minute strike from Rúben Neves. The Portuguese midfielder went on to claim MOTM.

Jess Park - ST - 81 > 84 OVR

Two goals / Everton 1 - Manchester United 4 / 8.7 Sofascore Rating

Park made the switch across Manchester this season, now playing for United rather than City. So far, she has performed well for her new club, with her latest performance being her best, coming off the bench to score twice and secure a 4-1 away win for Manchester United.

Rasmus Højlund - ST - 76 > 81 OVR

Two goals, one assist / Belarus 0 - Denmark 6 / 9.3 Sofascore Rating

The trend of players returning to form after leaving Man United grows ever longer. Højlund has been scoring for fun for Napoli this season, and his form has continued into the internationals. The striker scored twice and assisted another during a comfortable 6-0 away win for Denmark.