Starting Eleven
First up this week is a big Russian derby, featuring two sides from Moscow. Spartak and Dinamo went head to head and in a game that provided only a single goal, it was the visitors, Dinamo, who took the points. Shunin was absolutely breathtaking between the sticks, commanding his defence and pulling off 9 fantastic saves to secure the clean sheet.
Porto were away to Vitoria De Guimaraes for their weekend fixture, and in a game that provided just a single goal, it was the visitors who took all the points. Marcano was fantastic at the back, defensively solid and in control throughout, while he showed his ability going forward as well, scoring the games only goal.
Napoli may have recently blown their chances of taking the Italian crown from Juventus, however this doesn’t stop them finishing the season in style. Napoli were on the road to Sampdoria this week, and after a comfortable 90 minutes, they left as 2-0 winners. Albiol was the man of the match, solid at the back, while also scoring one of the goals.
Over to Russia again now, where F.C. Rostov played host to Ural for their league fixture. Once again, it was a game with only a single goal, and this time it went in favour of the hosts. Now while Sigurdsson may not have scored, he was absolutely brilliant throughout, the core of the team, and this nomination is thoroughly deserved.
Over the Germany now, where Wolfsburg played hosts to F.C. Cologne, in a game that provided 5 goals. Sadly for the already relegated Cologne, 4 of these went against them, with the match ending 4-1. Guilavogui was sensational in the midfield, running rampant around the opposition, while also providing a goal and an assist too.
Next up we head over to England, where the final games of the season took place. West Ham ensured they ended the season on a high, with a 3-1 win over Everton and while there were plenty of standout performances, we believe it’s Lanzini who deserves the nomination here. With two goals to his name, could a second Inform be on the cards?
Manchester City have already been crowned champions of England, but coming into their final two games, it was all about just how many records they could set. Mid-week they had Brighton, and in a 3-1 victory Sane really stood out with 3 assists. The only other option I can see, is Jesus, for scoring that final goal on the weekend to take City to 100 points.
After missing out on the player of the year award on the weekend, Thauvin may be feeling a little disheartened. Did he deserve it? Possibly, however anybody toppling Neymar was always going to be a difficult challenge. His chance of an Inform however is present, as although Marseille drew 3-3 on the weekend, it was 2 goals and an assist from Thauvin that got them the point
Just in case you thought our last decision was a little risky, we move onto a second Barcelona player, destroying all rules and beliefs you may have once held! We move onto their midweek game now, where they were comfortable 5-1 winners over Villarreal. Dembele was a huge part of this, with 2 goals and the man of the match award. It may have taken the whole season, but could we finally be seeing an upgrade this week?
We find ourselves moving from two Barcelona players, to their bitter rivals, Real Madrid, for our next selection. Now while the La Liga TOTS is in packs, plenty of big names failed to make the cut, however it’s never too late to get their name in lights! Real Madrid picked up a comfortable 6-0 win over Celta Vigo, and with 2 goals, Bale is our nomination here.
It’s tough to imagine yet another special card for Salah, yet after he broke the record for most goals scored in a 38 game campaign on the weekend, it’s also tough to imagine him not getting one. With a goal and an assist during Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Brighton, Salah was once again brilliant. However, if he somehow misses out, I fully expect to see Robertson take his spot here.
Substitutes
Over to America for our first substitute selection, and Kansas were on the road to Atlanta. It was far from smooth sailing for the visitors and even though they picked up a 2-0 win, without Melia in goal, the result could have been very different. With 8 saves, a clean sheet and a fantastic performance throughout, he has secured his space amongst this week’s nominees.
Staying in the MLS here, where Chicago were hosts to Montreal in a game that once again, provided just the single goal. Chicago left the match as 1-0 winners, while Ellis was the hero on the day. Not only did he help secure the clean sheet, but he was also the provider of the match winning goal.
Over to France now, where Nantes were on the road to Angers. It looks like the journey paid off this time, as the visitors left with all 3 points during a comfortable 2-0 win. Lima at the back was fantastic throughout, providing a clean sheet, a goal and our nomination for a team of the week spot.
Over to Russia for this selection, and while Zenit’s 6-0 win over SKA-Khabarovsk was impressive, when we look at one individuals personal stats, things get a lot more exciting. Erokhin, from the midfield, not only provided an assist, but also scored 4 of the 6 goals. If this doesn’t earn him an Inform, well, I’m done trying to predict them!
From one man who scored four to another now, as we approach the second German League. Holstein Kiel were 6-2 victors over Eintracht Braunschweig during their fixture, and Lewerenz was the man in form. Scoring 4 goals and dominating the match, surely this man is also a lock this week.
From the second German Division to the first now, where we find League Champions Bayern playing host to a travelling Stuttgart. Surprisingly, this game didn’t go as most predicted, with Stuttgart leaving as 4-1 victors. There were several fantastic performances, however our nomination goes with the man of the match, Donis. With 1 goal, 1 assist and a dominating showing from start to finish, hopefully he has done enough here.
Vitesse were on the road this week, as they travelled to ADO Den Haag, for a 7 goal thriller. It looks like he journey was worthwhile here, as the visitors emerged as 5-2 winners, talking all the points back home with them. Mount was absolutely unstoppable, playing a part in four of the five goals scored. With 1 assist and 3 goals, hopefully his hard work will receive the recognition it deserves.
Back across to the Premier League now, and despite an incredibly bumpy start to the season, Newcastle ended on quite the high. With performances improving throughout the year, Newcastle finished off their return with a 3-0 win over Chelsea, ending any Champions League dreams they may have had. Perez was in absolutely incredible form, scoring twice and running rampant amongst a lacking Chelsea defence.
Onto the strikers now, and we have already see a player from this match feature within our predictions. Now while Coutinho made the cut with a hat-trick, we have to remember that Barcelona actually lost, so a hat-trick for someone on the winning side, is almost certainly guaranteed an Inform, especially when it ruins an unbeaten season for league winners Barcelona. Boateng was brilliant, causing all kinds of trouble and surely cementing his name amongst this week’s line-up.
Back across to France now, where Bordeaux played host to Toulouse in a 6 goal thriller. It was the hosts to managed to edge out the opposition this time, leaving with all the points in a 4-2 victory. Braithwaite was incredible, playing a part in 3 of the goals, with one assist and two scored himself.
Next up we have a match that provided nothing short of pure domination from start to finish. Zulte Waregem were 8-0 winners over Waasland Beveren, and with such a large scoreline, an Inform just has to follow. Harbaoui was in fine form, scoring not once, not twice, but three times, to help secure the win and of course, his hat-trick.
For our final selection this week we head back across to Germany, where we find Leipzig securing European football next year with a 6-2 win over Hertha Berlin. Augustin was a man on a mission, scoring twice and assisting a third to ensure they got the job done.
Honorable mentions
Puggioni GK
Benevento 1-0 Genoa
5 Saves and Clean Sheet
Watson CB
Vancouver 2-2 Houston
1 Goal and 1 Assist
Van Aanholt LB
Crystal Palace 2-0 West Brom
1 Goal and 1 Assist
Robertson LB
Liverpool 4-0 Brighton
1 Goal and 1 Assist and Clean Sheet
Lykogiannis LB
Fiorentina 0-1 Cagliari
1 Assist and Clean Sheet
Legear RM
St Truiden 3-2 KFCO Beerschot Wilrijk
2 Goals
Penilla RM
New England 3-2 Toronto
2 Goals
Ginczek LM
Bayern 1-4 Stuttgart
2 Goals
Paurevic CM
FC Ufa 5-0 Tosno
1 Goal and 2 Assists
Kramaric CAM
Hoffenheim 3-1 Dortmund
1 Goal and 1 Assist
Diaz CAM
FC Dallas 3-2 LA Galaxy
3 Assists
Castillejo RW
Deportivo 2-4 Villarreal
2 Goals
Lamela RW
Tottenham 5-4 Leicester
2 Goals
Coutinho LW
Levante UD 5-4 FC Barcelona
3 Goals
Alario ST
Leverkusen 3-2 Hannover
2 Goals
Junior ST
Anderlecht 1-3 Standard
2 Goals
Balotelli ST
Nice 4-1 Caen
2 Goals
Mothiba ST
Lille 2-1 Dijon
2 Goals
Diagne ST
Kasimpasa 3-1 Genclerbirligi
3 Goals
Jesus ST
Southampton 0-1 Manchester City
1 Goal and Broke Record For City
Belotti ST
Torino 2-1 SPAL
1 Goal and 1 Assist
Pires ST
Portimonense 3-1 Pacos De Ferreira
2 Goals
Zardes ST
Columbus 3-0 Chicago
2 Goals
Maclaren ST
Hibernian 5-5 Rangers
3 Goals