Hey Guys! We've had (or still have while writing this article) our first international break in EA FC and it was an eventful week of football. The qualification for the EURO 2024 in Germany and also the 2026 World Cup (for the South America part) is in full swing with decisions being made and some teams still fighting for their qualification spot and we've seen some expected but also some unexpected results!
If you're new to EA FC and the game in general this year, Team of the week usually consists of players from the national teams but there are also a very few leagues still in action such as English lower divisions and, since the introduction of women football, also the women football leagues where we should see some players included from. Also keep in mind that we recently had the RTTK promo and that we will also see a Trailblazers Team 2 on Friday which will massively influence the players being included. There is a chance we might see a Haaland for example but with his recent RTTK item I doubt he'll pick up an inform at this point of the game so be prepared to see some others miss out too because of that. But enough being said, go on and take a look at the potential Team of the Week 5!
TOTW5 Predicted Starting XI
GK: Etrit Berisha (Empoli) - 71 OVR -> 80 OVR:
Albania took a huge step towards the EURO 2024 qualification, beating Czech Republic with 3-0 at home and cemented their top spot in Group E with 13 points. Empoli's shot-stopper Berisha enjoyed a pretty eventful night against Czech Republic, being on alert the whole game and finished the match with a total of seven saves.
CB: Virgil van Dijk (RC Lens) - 89 OVR -> 90 OVR:
The Netherlands took a huge step towards Euro 2024 after claiming a 1-0 win in Athens against Greece. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk was the hero for the Netherlands in Athens as he scored an injury-time penalty to give his side all three points from their encounter with Greece in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group B. The match had been a bitty affair, but the dramatic conclusion somewhat made up for it, as Ronald Koeman’s men moved onto 12 points, six behind runaway group leaders France.
CB: Nicolas Otamendi (SL Benfica) - 82 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Argentina completely dominated Paraguay from start to finish, both with and without Lionel Messi, and picked up three points in the process, although it was a bit more nervy than they would have liked at the end. With Argentina pummeling their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying opponents in Buenos Aires from the opening whistle, Nicolas Otamendi's fourth-minute goal was enough to see them through to all three points, as they top Paraguay at home and move to nine points from a possible nine to start World Cup qualifying.
RB: Jesús Navas (Sevilla) - 80 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Spain ensured there would be no Scottish party with a 2-0 victory in their Euro 2024 Group A encounter on Thursday, leaving a frustrated Scotland waiting to book a finals place. The victory extends Spain's winning run in home Euro qualifiers to 25 matches dating back to 2003, but they were kept at bay for much of the night by some brave Scottish defence. Jesus Navas then delivered the assist for Morata's opener and could be in the team this week with the lack of high rated defenders.
CDM: Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) - 80 OVR -> 83 OVR:
Ecuador picked up a narrow 2-1 victory in their 2026 World Cup qualification against Bolivia and showed they are capable of played well at high altitude as they haven't lost in La Paz for 26 years, when they lost 2-0 in 1997 on their way to the France World Cup. Kendry Paez broke the record as the youngest player to score a goal in a qualifying match but his future Chelsea teammate Caicedo could be the one to pick up the inform after he assisted both of their goals.
CM: Fredrik Aursnes (SL Benfica) - 79 OVR -> 84* OVR:
Norway cruised past Cyprus to keep their Euro 2024 qualification hopes alive and force Scotland to wait to seal their place at next summer's tournament. The Manchester City Haaland striker netted twice but with him recently being included in the RTTK promo I doubt we'll see a back to back special card for him this soon so I'm going to include Benfica's midfielder Aursnes who scored one and assisted another.
CM: Lindsey Horan (Lyon Women) - 86 OVR -> 87 OVR:
Olympique Lyon's women team continued their flawless start to the 2023/24 season and recorded another victory, beating Saint-Etienne with 6-0 at home and remains unbeaten and without a goal conceded. Star of the show was Lindsey Horan who scored three of the goals for her side and should be in this week and it's looking to be a decent card.
LM: João Félix (Barcelona) - 81 OVR -> 84 OVR:
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice before half-time as Portugal put Bosnia and Herzegovina to the sword in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying. Portugal scored all five of their goals in the first half to continue their perfect record of eight qualifying wins in eight games, inflicting the joint-heaviest ever defeat on the hosts in the process. With Ronaldo coming on Friday in Trailblazers Team 2 and Bruno's recent RTTK card I'm going to predict Félix to pick up the inform after he scored one, registered an assist and also won the penalty.
RW: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo) - 85 OVR -> 86 OVR:
Despite several injury and suspension setbacks, Italy sailed past continental minnows Malta 4-0 at Stadio San Nicola on Saturday night. A landslide victory over the Mediterranean whipping boys has solidified Gli Azzurri’s grip on the UEFA European Championship 2024 qualification. Everyone in the Italian team did their job - apart from maybe Gianluigi Donnarumma who hardly got a feel of the ball - which makes it hard to pinpoint a single standout performance. But when a player scores a brace, especially in the way it was scored, they deserve a special mention. Berardi took his goals superbly, planting the first one in the top corner from the edge of the box before powerfully slamming home the second, scoring with both of his shots.
ST: Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) - 75 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Slovenia moved clear at the top of Group H following a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Finland at the Stozice Stadium. The result extends the hosts’ impressive record in European Championship qualifiers to just one defeat in their last seven matches. Looking to qualify for their first European Championship finals in over two decades, Slovenia were dealt a blow on the hour-mark as Sesko had to be withdrawn after picking up an injury but until then the Leipzig attacker scored twice to put his side on winning ways.
ST: Morgan (San Diego Wave W) - 89 OVR -> 90 OVR:
San Diego Wave FC earned a 2-0 win against Racing Louisville on Sunday afternoon at Snapdragon Stadium. With the victory, Wave FC secured the 2023 NWSL Shield, awarded to the club with the best record at the conclusion of the regular season. Morgan was once again the one to shine as she scored one and assisted the other for her side and with limited real high rated players being available this week she could be in on Wednesday!
TOTW5 Predicted Subs & Reserves
CB: Samet Akaydin (Fenerbahce) - 70 OVR -> 80 OVR:
Turkey took all three points with a narrow 1-0 victory over Croatia and moved to the top of Group D in the EURO 2024 qualifiers. Going into this match, Croatia and Turkey shared 10 points, while Turkey has played one more match than Croatia in the Group and with the winner of the group getting a much better draw both teams were on the lookout for three points. The win for Turkey was fully deserved tho and Fenerbahce defender Akaydin put in a real shift that night, finishing the game with a total of six clearances. He also added an assist in Turkey's 4-0 win over Latvia on Sunday which ultimately sealed their qualification for the 2024 EURO.
CAM: Harry Wilson (Fulham) - 75 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Wales kept their automatic hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 alive as they beat Croatia 2-1 on Sunday in Cardiff. The 26-year-old Wilson excelled throughout the evening, offering dangerous, pacy support to Kieffer Moore along with David Brooks and, later, substitute Dan James. Took his two goals with clinical class and marked a milestone night out as one he’ll never forget.
LM: Jesper Karlsson (Bologna) - 77 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Another friendly match was played between Sweden and Moldova last week, with Sweden winning 3-1 against their opponents. Bologna's new signing Jesper Karlsson was involved in all three goals for his country, scoring twice and assisting the other.
RW: Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla) - 78 OVR -> 82 OVR:
Belgium's national team has now officially qualified for Euro 2024, with Austria also possessing promising prospects, amassing 13 points after six matches. The Belgian national team emerged away triumphant against their Austrian counterparts. Three precious points for the "Red Devils" were secured through a masterful brace by Lukebakio and a goal by Romelu Lukaku. Austria's squad managed to claw back two goals from the encounter but ultimately faced defeat.
CAM: Milot Rashica (Besiktas) - 76 OVR -> 81 OVR:
Kosovo recorded a 3-0 victory away to bottom of the table side Andorra but we won't see them in Germany next year as they are still six points behind Romania. What we should see tho is a Rashica inform on Wednesday after the Besiktas forwars scored twice and assisted another for his country.
ST: Miguel (Levante) - 71 OVR -> 80 OVR:
International games usually get the nod over other games during international breaks but players from leagues football still get involved when they do good, especially silvers. Miguel scored three goals in Levante's 6-0 win against Amorebieta and should be in this week.
ST: Georges Mikautadze (Ajax) - 74 OVR -> 80 OVR:
There have been a good amount of international friendlies too over the past week and we usually see a few of them being included in the side. One of them could be the Georgian Ajax' attacker Mikautadze who scored four goals in their 8-0 win against Thailand.
That concludes this week's Team of the Week predictions! What do you make of these predictions? Is there anyone else who should have made the TOTW? Let us know below!
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