FC 26 Team of The Week 2 Predictions!

With the power curve supposedly slowing, IFs will likely become a lot more relevant within the game this year. There are plenty to get excited about from TOTW 2, with the likes of Son, Messi, Coman, Gravenberch, and Militao offering quality all over the pitch!

Noah Atubolu - GK - 77 > 81 OVR

Five saves, penalty save and clean sheet / Werder Bremen 0 - Freiburg 3 / 2 Kicker Rating

While it was Grifo who was named MOTM with a goal and an assist, Atubolu also received the same overall match rating. The German made history by becoming the first keeper to save five consecutive penalties in the Bundesliga. His overall performance was superb as well, keeping a clean sheet with an additional five saves.

Eder Militao - CB - 84 > 86 OVR

Goal and clean sheet / Real Madrid 2 - Espanyol 0 / 9 Sofascore Rating

Militao scored what was inevitably the goal of the weekend during Madrid’s 2-0 win over Espanyol. This standout strike practically secures the Brazilian’s spot in TOTW 2. He is the first of numerous big names to look forward to in next Wednesday’s side.

David Raum- LB - 82 > 84 OVR

One goal / Leipzig 3 - Koln 1 / 2.5 Kicker Rating

Defenders were extremely difficult to select this week, with only Militao standing out among the gold options. I would expect a couple of rogue additions from EA as a result. Raum scored during Leipzig’s 3-1 win, and with the German being a usable option, I wouldn’t put it past them to include him despite the 2.5 match rating.

Tyrick Mitchell - LB - 78 > 82 OVR

One goal / West Ham 1 - Palace 2 / 8 Sky Rating

Palace continue to look like a competitive side in the Premier League despite the departures of both Olise and Eze in the past couple of seasons. A 2-1 away win over West Ham on Saturday means they are now in fifth after five games. Mitchell scored the winner, and with Premier League options being minimal, I expect him to sneak in for it.

Kingsley Coman - LM - 83 > 85 OVR

One goal, two assists / Al-Nassr 5 - Al-Riyadh 1 / 10 Sofascore Rating

Once again, the Saudi division provided a crazy number of options for this week’s IF, and much like last week, I expect only one to be included despite the likes of Malcom and Barrow also excelling. Al-Nassr ran out 5-1 winners with several IF candidates. I am opting for Coman, who scored once and provided two assists.

Ryan Gravenberch - CDM - 85 > 86 OVR

One goal, one assist / Liverpool 2 - Everton 1 / 9 Sky Rating

Gravenberch’s NIF is just over 100k right now, so with an IF just around the corner, it’s likely going to be costly to get him in. The Dutchman stood out during the Merseyside derby, scoring once and assisting another as Liverpool took all three points with a 2-1 win.

Kaishu Sano - CM - 79 > 82 OVR

One goal, one assist / Augsburg 1 - Mainz 4 / 1 Kicker Rating

There were several superb performances in the Bundesliga this week, making it by far the easiest division to predict (famous last words). Mainz dominated their match away at Augsburg, coming away as 4-1 winners. Sano scored once and assisted another in that game, earning a perfect 10 match rating.

Claudia Pina - LW - 86 > 87 OVR

Hat trick / Sevilla 0 - Barcelona 5 / 9.7 Sofascore Rating

Although the Barcelona women’s side was snubbed last week, this time there’s no doubt about their inclusion. In their 5 0 away win, Pina was pivotal, scoring three goals from LW. We also saw two Munich IFs last week, meaning EA may consider including two players from the same side, something that didn’t really happen last year.

Christian Pulisic - ST - 84 > 86 OVR

Two goals, one assist / Udinese 0 - AC Milan 3 / 8 Gazzetta Rating

There are several meta players likely coming for TOTW 2, with Pulisic being one of them. The American was involved in all three of their goals on Saturday, scoring twice and providing an assist. While he only received a mediocre rating, he still claimed MOTM, which, alongside the three goal contributions, will likely result in an IF.

Lionel Messi - ST - 86 > 87 OVR

Two goals, one assist / Inter Miami 3 - DC United 2 / 10 Sofascore Rating

Long gone are the days when the likes of Messi would need a hat trick to secure an IF, as these sorts of performances came almost weekly. The Argentine is still enjoying his time in the MLS, and the quality he possesses is simply too much for the division. His three goal contributions helped Inter Miami secure a 3-2 home win over DC United.

Heung Min Son - ST - 85 > 86 OVR

Hat trick / Salt Lake 1 - Los Angeles 4 / 9.6 Sofascore Rating

It’s great to see Son enjoying his football again, and with that comes a level far too high for the MLS. The Korean dominated the frontline, scoring three times while leading Los Angeles to a comfortable 4-1 away win over RSL.

Substitutes

Baptiste Santamaria - CM - 76 > 81 OVR

One goal, one assist / Valencia 2 - Athletic Club 0 / 9.5 Sofascore Rating

Valencia recorded an impressive 2-0 home win over Athletic Club on Saturday. In that match, Santamaria stood out, being involved in both goals with one goal and one assist. The options as a whole this week were far fewer than the previous, so this performance, alongside a 9.5 match rating, really makes Santamaria stand out.

Gabri Veiga - CM - 76 > 81 OVR

One goal, two assists / Rio Ave 0 - Porto 3 / 9.4 Rating

There was a lot of controversy surrounding Veiga’s move to Saudi, with the young Spaniard opting to make the switch despite his talent. He is now back playing European football, however, and early signs are promising at Porto. His latest performance saw him involved in all three Porto goals, scoring one himself and providing two assists.

Ferran Torres - LW - 83 > 85 OVR

Two goals / Barcelona 3 - Getafe 0 / 8.4 Sofascore Rating

With Oberdorf and Kane receiving IFs in Week 1, I see no reason why we can’t have Pina and Torres in Week 2, something I was previously hesitant about. The Spaniard scored twice from LW as Barcelona recorded a 3-0 win over Getafe. There were a lot of left-sided options this week, which does make competition for those positions tougher.

Alex Iwobi - LM - 80 > 83 OVR

One goal, one assist / Fulham 3 - Brentford 1 / 7 Sky Rating

Although Iwobi received an average-at-best match rating, with a sheer lack of Premier League options this week, I would expect a couple of cheap inclusions. Iwobi is an easy selection in that category, having scored once and assisted another during Fulham’s 3-1 home win over Brentford.

Nicolas Paz - CAM - 79 > 82 OVR

Two assists / Fiorentina 1 - Como 2 / 7.5 Gazzetta Rating

Serie A was a difficult division to predict, with a lot of fringe players making their claims. Paz was among the best in my view, with the talented youngster currently highly regarded in European football. He provided the assists for both Como goals as they came from behind to beat Fiorentina 2-1.

Ansu Fati - ST - 75 > 84 OVR

Two goals / Monaco 5 - Metz 2 / 8.5 Sofascore Rating

This week’s featured player seems likely to be Fati. The Spanish youngster is now playing his football in France for Monaco and came off the bench at halftime during their home fixture against Metz to score twice, leading them to a 5-2 win.

Ludovic Ajorque - ST - 77 > 82 OVR

One goal, three assists / Brest 4 - Nice 1 / 9 L’equipe Rating

Brest recorded their first win of the season on the fifth attempt, impressively dispatching Nice 4-1. Ajorque excelled throughout, scoring once and assisting three more. L’Équipe awarded the striker a 9/10, making him the player of the week in France.