FC 24 TOTW 9 Predictions

TOTW 9 looks set to be a memorable one with big names all over the pitch, from Donnarumma in goal to Benzema and Rodrygo up top. Sane finally gets included and Ballon d’Or Feminin winner, Bonmati, also features

Gianluigi Donnarumma - GK - 87 > 88 OVR

Five saves and clean sheet / Reims 0 - PSG 3 / 9 L’equipe Rating

Although Mbappe got a hat trick it was actually Donnarumma who was named MOTM after making some outrageous saves to keep his clean sheet. On top of that an upcoming Mbappe POTM card could rule him out of this week's side. Donnarumma is arguably the better option despite the hat trick anyway.

Kostas Tsimikas - LB - 77 > 83 OVR

Two assists and clean sheet / Liverpool 3 - Brentford 0 / 7 Sky Rating

Salah was the obvious MOTM from this fixture after scoring twice but with his recent POTM card coming out he is unlikely to feature. As is often the case with these scenario’s we look elsewhere in the Liverpool side to select an alternative. Tsimikas stands out having provided two assists from LB.

Victor Lindelof - CB - 80 > 85 OVR

Goal and clean sheet / Man United 1 - Luton 0 / 8 Sky Rating

For all the stick that Ten Hag has been receiving recently with United's latest win, they became the most in-form side over the last five PL games. Lindelof scored the only goal of the match which should result in the Swedish defender's first IF.

Federico Dimarco - LWB - 82 > 86 OVR

Goal and clean sheet / Inter 2 - Frosinone 0 / 7.5 Gazzetta Rating

There were a few Serie A defenders to select from this week but none were better than Dimarco. With a goal, a clean sheet and joint highest match rating of the week I would be very surprised to see him snubbed.

Leroy Sane - RM - 84 > 86 OVR

Two assists / Munich 4 - Heidenheim 2 / 1.5 Kicker Rating

Without limitations, Harry Kane would be making the side week in and week out. Another two goals for the Englishman this week but once again proximity rules him out. Sane has been receiving shouts for a few weeks now and finally, he looks set to make the side. His two assists were enough for Kicker to award him a 1.5, a rating joint with Kane.

Aitana Bonmati - CM - 90 > 91 OVR

Two goals / Villarreal (W) 0 - Barcelona (W) 6 / 9.3 Sofascore Rating

Barcelona made it eight wins from eight with another convincing win. They now stand on a colossal +32 GD and show no signs of slowing down. Yet another IF looks set to occur from the side with Bonmati scoring twice from CM to be named MOTM.

Pablo Sarabia - CM - 78 > 86 OVR

One goal, one assist / Wolves 2 - Tottenham 1 / 8 Sky Rating

Tottenham looked set to grind out three points before late drama saw goals in both the 91st and 97th minutes saw Wolves steal the show. Sarabia scored the first before providing the assist to Lemina for the winner. He wasn’t on the field for long but his impact is worthy of an IF.

Louise Fleury - LW - 79 > 86 OVR

Three goals, one assist / Saint Etienne (W) 1 - Paris (W) 6 / 9.9 Sofascore Rating

We look set to receive the first women SIF with Fleury after she managed another hat trick for Paris on Saturday. With the additional upgrade now occurring this card looks very usable too.

Rodrygo - ST - 85 > 87 OVR

Two goals, two assists / Real Madrid 5 - Valencia 1 / 10 Sofascore Rating

Both Rodrygo and Vini shone for Madrid with both stating their claims for a position this week. Rodrygo should get the nod from EA with the additional two assists over his strike partner. It's a duo that will be deadly over the next decade or so.

Karim Benzema - ST - 90 > 91 OVR

Three goals, one assist / Al-Ittihad 4 - Abha 2 / 10 Sofascore Rating

It was always a matter of time before the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner made TOTW, now playing his trade in Saudi Arabia. Benzema had his say in all four of Al-Ittihad’s goals, scoring three while assisting the other. An easy selection for TOTW 9

Dominic Solanke - ST - 75 > 86 OVR

Two goals / Bournemouth 2 - Newcastle 0 / 9 Sky Rating

Bournemouth shocked Newcastle on Saturday with a 2-0 win over the favourites. Solanke did most of the damage scoring both Bournemouth goals. The brace alongside the high match rating will inevitably see the striker included.

Substitutes

Sophie Baggaley - GK - 61 > 83 OVR

Thirteen saves and clean sheet / Man City (W) 0 - Brighton (W) 1 / 10 Sofascore Rating

Female keepers get a lot of stick at times but you can’t argue against Baggaley’s performance this weekend. Making a colossal 13 saves to keep her clean sheet. One of the highest tallies in WSL history.

Odilon Koussounou - CB - 76 > 83 OVR

Goal and clean sheet / Leverkusen 4 - Union Berlin 0 / 1.5 Kicker Rating

Leverkusen are in serious form currently, winning games with ease consistently. This was another of those matches and once again Grimaldo was fantastic, proving why he has been one of the best signings of the season. He can’t be included though and instead, we have one of his defensive partners in Koussounou, who picked up MOTM for his goal.

Jonathan Gradit - CB - 78 > 83 OVR

Goal and clean sheet / Lens 1 - Marseille 0 / 7 L’equipe Rating

Outside of PSG, it was difficult to select options from Ligue 1. I do expect another addition from the division though. Gradit’s 7 half puts me off but looking at the other options he is by far the best one.

Kristian Thorstvedt - CDM - 73 > 83 OVR

Two goals / Sassuolo 2 - Salernitana 2 / 7.5 Gazzetta Rating

With the minimum rating for IF’s being increased to 83 now I feel there will be less emphasis on players being lower rated. This works in Thorstvedt’s favour with the Norweigen’s base card only being 73. After scoring twice from CDM I can see him making the cut despite Sassuolo only managing a point.

Sophie Weidauer - ST - 70 > 83 OVR

Hat trick / Leipzig (W) 0 - Werder Bremen (W) 5 / 9.3 Sofascore Rating

I have included more Women than usually make the side this week but with so many top-tier performances they deserve their positions. Additionally, I feel that they are beginning to gain more hype meaning that EA will no longer get backlash for including more options. Weidauer scored three of Werder's five during their convincing win.

Chadrac Akolo - ST - 69 > 83 OVR

Hat trick / ST. Gallen 4 - Winterthur 2 / 9.8 Sofascore Rating

I am still unsure why some divisions like the A-League and English League 1 won’t receive IF’s but the Swiss division for example will with St Gallen already picking up an IF I am confident in predicting Akolo’s hat trick.

Francis Momoh - ST - 62 > 83 OVR

Hat trick / Grasshoppers 5 - Lausanne 2 / 9.6 Sofascore Rating

A second Swiss inclusion is a risky move but with limited hat tricks occurring it's not an impossible scenario. Momoh was crucial in Grasshoppers relegation battle scoring three of their five.