TOTW 26 Predictions FIFA 23

TOTW 26 sees a rather mediocre side but with TOTS set to go live alongside it, the focus will likely be elsewhere. That being said another IF for Openda, an upgrade for Lukaku and a featured boost for both Joelinton and Verdi make decent options.

Ledesma - GK - 80 > 88 OVR

Five saves and clean sheet / Espanyol 0 - Cadiz 0 / 8 Whoscored Rating

If Cadiz manage to survive the drop Ledesma deserves so much credit. The Argentine makes numerous saves almost every week, keeping them in so many games by doing so. Once again he stands a chance of making TOTW having made five saves to be named MOTM during their 0-0 draw on Friday.

Matthias Ginter - CB - 82 > 87 OVR

Goal and clean sheet / Freiburg 4 - Schalke 0 / 2 Kicker Rating

Although it was Gregoritsch that was named MOTM here with the number of strikers performing this week I simply can’t fit him in. Instead, we look further down the field to Ginter who also stands a chance. Despite not being named MOTM the German still featured in Kickers TOTW with a strong match rating.

Mats Hummels - CB - 84 > 87 OVR

Goal and clean sheet / Dortmund 4 - Frankfurt 0 / 1.5 Kicker Rating

While many will be hoping for Malen to receive the IF from Dortmund’s hammering of Frankfurt I expect Hummels to receive the IF. The German defender was named MOTM after he scored the third of four Dortmund goals and was defensively solid throughout.

De Marcos - RB - 77 > 85 OVR

Goal / Almeria 1 - Bilbao 2 / 8.2 Whoscored Rating

With De Marcos’ FantasyFut card allowing you to relive his IF’s from previous FIFA’s this SIF is pretty useless but it is likely to happen after the Spaniard scored Bilbao’s second goal during their 2-1 win.

Joelinton - LW - 75 > 87 OVR

Goal / Newcastle 6 - Tottenham 1 / 9 Sky Rating

In one of the most bizarre matches of the season Newcastle stormed to an early 5-0 lead within 21 minutes. The game then settled down but the damage was already done. Newcastle inevitably receives an IF this week and while Isak, Murphy and Schar all stand a chance I am instead opting for Joelinton who although only scored once was impressive throughout.

Mattias Svanberg - CM - 76 > 86 OVR

Two goals, one assist / Bochum 1 - Wolfsburg 5 / 1.5 Kicker Rating

With 24 goals from 5 matches, Bundesliga was full of action on Saturday, six came from Bochum v Wolfsburg with Svanberg standing out. The Swedish midfielder scored twice and assisted another.

Lucas Paqueta - CM - 82 > 86 OVR

Goal / Bournemouth 0 - West Ham 4 / 8 Sky Rating

West Ham looked dangerously close to the relegation zone last month but a good run of form which has seen them lose just one of their last five should mean the danger is over. A comfortable win this weekend over Bournemouth could see Paqueta sneak into TOTW. The PL will receive a few and with limited options, a couple of punts were required.

Marco Asensio - RW - 83 > 86 OVR

Goal and assist / Real Madrid 2 - Celta Vigo 0 / 9.3 Whoscored Rating

Asensio has been used primarily from the bench this season for Madrid but the Spaniard was given the chance against Vigo this week and he took it with both hands. Scoring once and assisting another Asensio spearheaded Madrid to a 2-0 win.

Lois Openda - ST - 75 > 88 OVR

Two goals, one assist / Lens 3 - Monaco 0 / 9 L’equipe Rating

Having already seen a fourth IF occur I see no reason why Openda can’t replicate that achievement this week. The Belgian has been phenomenal all season and with two goals and an assist against Monaco his form just keeps coming.

Marvin Ducksch - ST - 75 > 87 OVR

Hat trick / Hertha 2 - Bremen 4 / Kicker POTW

Fullkrug has been Werder Bremen’s main source of goals this season but it was Ducksch who turned up this weekend. The German scored three goals as Bremen recorded a 4-2 away win over Hertha Berlin.

Romelu Lukaku - ST - 86 > 89 OVR

Two goals, one assist / Empoli 0 - Inter 3 / 8 Gazzetta Rating

Inter’s poor run of form has seen them drop to sixth and are now in danger of dropping out of the European positions entirely. A comfortable win over Empoli this weekend could help them get back on track though with Lukaku being involved in all three of those goals.

Substitutes

Matz Sels - GK - 79 > 87 OVR

Five saves and clean sheet / Reims 0 - Strasbourg 2 / 8 L’equipe Rating

Another week, another Ligue 1 keeper. Sels was the latest to receive a high L’equipe rating having made five saves to keep his clean sheet during a 2-0 win over Reims.

Michael Keane - CB - 79 > 83 OVR

Clean sheet / Palace 0 - Everton 0 / 8 Sky Rating

Everton are in desperate need of points to survive the drop this season and while they ideally need wins a point away at Palace is not a bad result. Keane impressed throughout, keeping the back line in shape even while down to 10 for the final minutes of the match.

Simone Verdi - CAM - 75 > 83 OVR

Two goals / Verona 2 - Bologna 1 / 7.5 Gazzetta Rating

Verona are doing everything they can to escape the drop this season and another three points this weekend put them another step towards that goal. Verdi was pivotal for them scoring both goals as they upset Bologna 2-1

Mikael Uhre - ST - 73 > 81 OVR

Hat trick / Philadelphia 4 - Toronto 2 / 9.8 Whoscored Rating

This inclusion is simply to play the numbers game. Rather than punting another midfielder, I have instead opted to include all six reserves that I wanted with Uhre being the sixth. The Philadelphia forward scored three of their four goals as they recorded a 4-2 win over Toronto.

Jamie Maclaren - ST - 75 > 86 OVR

Hat trick / Western United 1 - Melbourne City 3 / 8.9 Sofascore Rating

With the reserves being highly competitive this week it does me a favour that Maclaren enters as a gold, which in turn guarantee’s him a spot on this side. The Aussie scored all three of his side's goals during a 3-1 win to make him the all-time top goalscorer in the A-League.

Cedric Itten - ST - 69 > 85 OVR

Three goals, one assist / Young Boys 6 - Servette 1 / 10 Sofascore Rating

Under similar circumstances, to Maclaren we move on to Itten. Young Boys continue to dominate the Swiss division with this season looking routine once again. Their latest three points came via a 6-1 win with Itten being involved in four.

Ante Budimir - ST - 76 > 83 OVR

Brace / Osasuna 3 - Betis 2 / 8.6 Whoscored Rating

With two wins from their last three Osasuna are within the mix for a Europa League position. While it would take their good form to continue a win against Betis is exactly what they needed. Budimir scored two of their three goals making him a strong candidate for TOTW 26.