TOTW 1 Predictions

So here it is, FIFA 19 is finally here and with it comes our first TOTW predictions! 

Predicting just who EA will pick, is nothing short of a lottery, and with the clear abundance of strong performances from both fullbacks and midfielders, it becomes an even more daunting challenge.

On the bright side, there are some gigantic names making this list, and if you’re one of the lucky ones with packs, you will surely be set for the entire FIFA year!

Starting Eleven

Tekin

So here it is, our first player, from our first predictions, in FIFA 19. Fenerbahce were away to Konyaspor for their fixture this weekend, and despite being the favourites on paper, they were anything but on top during the match. Despite this, they managed to grind out a 1-0 win, however they owe a massive thanks to their goalkeeper Tekin. With 6 huge saves and a fantastic performance throughout, he has cemented his spot on our list.

Smalling

Over to England now, where we find the first of many players to feature from the Premier League. An unbeaten Watford were hosts to the travelling Manchester United, and despite an incredibly gutsy performance, it was the visitors who took the points. Smalling was solid at the back throughout, and when we also factor in his goal during the 2-1 victory, we could be seeing him feature this week.

Pepe

Besiktas were hosts to Yeni Malatyaspor for their weekend match, and while they may not have managed to keep a clean sheet, they did ensure they bagged all the points despite going down to 10 men. The match ended 2-1, and Pepe not only scored the opening goal, but also locked down the man of the match award to secure his spot in these predictions.

Ginter

Germany is our next destination, where M.Gladbach were hosts to Schalke. In a game that provided 3 goals, it was the hosts who took the points, with Ginter being the man of the match. Not only did he provide a goal, but he was seconds away from a clean sheet too during a dominating performance from start to finish.

Parolo

Over to Italy now, where Lazio were away to Empoli. The match itself was settled by just a single goal, and you’ve probably already guessed, but Parolo was the man behind this. As mentioned above, a single goal from a midfielder may not usually be enough, but with the distinct lack of top names having phenomenal matches, this may just be enough to see him make the cut.

Wijnaldum

Next up we have what may be described as a fairly controversial decision, however due to the lack of standout performances from midfielders this week, a single goal in such a big match may just be enough. Liverpool were away to Tottenham for their weekend fixture, and in a game that provided drama from start to finish, it was the guests who held on for a 2-1 win. Wijnaldum was the man who opened the scoring, and while the goal itself was crucial for the club, the fact that this was his first away goal, just adds that extra special factor to the occasion.

Fraser

We remain in the Premier League here, where Bournemouth played hosts to the travelling Leicester. The match was a goal-fest, with 6 goals between the two sides. It was the hosts however who took the points, and Fraser was the man of the hour. In a 4-2 victory, not only did he score twice, but he also provided an assist to lock down his place in these predictions.

Hulk

For the first time ever, we have access to the Chinese Super League in FUT, where we see the return of some monumental beasts. The first player to make these predictions is one hell of a fan favourite, with a name that perfectly fits his stature. Shanghai were away to Tianjin Teda on Friday, and in a game that provided 7 goals, it was the visitors who took the points. The match ended 5-2, and while Oscar scored twice, Hulk is the man who gets our vote. With a goal, assist and man of the match, could we be seeing his inform in TOTW1?

Hazard

Goals were flowing in the Premier League this weekend, which is why once again we remain firmly in this league. Once again, Hazard showed exactly what he is capable of, and why he deserves to be considered as one of the greatest players in the world. Despite going down 1-0, Chelsea fought back to destroy Cardiff 4-1, with Hazard scoring not once, not twice, but three times, to secure his hat-trick and his place in these predictions.

Lozano

Where do we even start when talking about this selection? PSV absolutely thrashed ADO Den Haag 7-0 on Saturday, and while it’s Lozano who makes our list, there is a whole heap of players who could feature. Angelino at left back was solid throughout and also provided an assist. Pereiro scored twice from the spot and also provided an assist himself. While Jong and Bergwijn scored on the day. Lozano scored twice, but also has that big name presence, the sort of name EA love to flaunt within their TOTW, the combination of these factors is why he makes the cut this time.

Ronaldo

For years and years, Ronaldo has toyed with the idea and openly talked about moving away from Madrid, so when the same speech popped up at the end of last season, the majority of us likely ignored what he had to say. Turns out that this time however, he wasn’t bluffing. Ronaldo completed his mega money move to Juventus in the summer, and in true Ronaldo style, he ensured that his first goal came with the chance of a week one TOTW cars. Juventus were 2-1 winners at home to Sassuolo, and with Ronaldo scoring both, we could have an incredible card available from the very start.

Substitutes and Reserves

Sepe

Onto the bench now, and obviously we will kick start this with a goalkeeper. Parma were away to Inter Milan for their weekend fixture, in a game that only had one possible outcome, right? That’s the joy of football, the unexpected happens week after week, and Parma taking home all the points in a 1-0 win is a prime example. It wasn’t all smooth sailing though, as Inter continued to pummel Sepe’s goal with shots. He was a man on a mission though, and with 8 saves and a display of brilliance, he secures his spot in this list.

Diallo

Back across to Germany now, where Dortmund picked up three points at home to Frankfurt. Despite not managing a clean sheet, Diallo put in a great performance, scoring the opener in the 3-1 victory for the hosts.

Messaoudi

Over to Holland now, where Fortuna Sittard were away to NAC Breda. Once again, we had an incredibly tense match, with just a single goal separating the two sides. It was the guests who took all the points during the 3-2 victory, with Messaoudi in the midfield scoring two of the goals.

Bandinelli

Despite Benevento’s best efforts last season, it wasn’t enough to keep them in the top flight of Italian football for a second year running. The heartbreak may be present, but the drive and desire to make their way back is clearer than ever. Benevento were away to Venezia for their match on Friday, and in a 5 goal thriller, it was them who took the points. Bandinelli was the hero on the night, scoring twice from midfield and assisting the third.

Pepe

Lille were on the road this weekend, as they travelled to Amiens for their Lihue 1 fixture. The match itself provided a total of 5 goals, and saw the visitors securing the points in a 3-2 win. Pepe was the man of the hour, scoring once from open play and twice from the spot, to secure both his hat-trick and all 3 points for his side.

Yarmolenko

A struggling West Ham were away to an unbeaten Everton for their match on Sunday, where despite the statistics being stacked against them, they turned up the heat and came away with a 3-1 win. Yarmolenko was the man who made the difference, scoring twice on his debut and securing his spot in our predictions.

Fernandes

Across to the MLS now, where Kansas were away to San Jose. The game provided fans with 6 goals, however it was extremely one sided, with the visitors scoring 5. Fernandes played a part in 4 of these, scoring twice and assisting a further two in a near flawless performance.

Thauvin

What an incredible season this youngster had last year, and already he is proving that it was anything but luck. Marseille destroyed Guingamp 4-0 on Sunday, with Thauvin scoring twice and terrorising the defence from start to finish. The only hurdle is the wonder-goal scored by Payet, who has every chance of stealing this spot from his teammate.

Werner

Leipzig scored the quickest goal of the season in their match against Hannover on the weekend. With 80% of the team powering forward from kick-off, the move worked out exactly as planned, and was enough to help them narrowly win the match 3-2. Werner was the man behind two of these goals, showing his quality once again this season.

Lasogga

Onto the second tier of German football now, where Hamburg played hosts to FC Heidenheim. With the game in stalemate at half time, Lasogga was brought onto the pitch, and despite his side going down 1-0, this man was on a mission. It wasn’t until the 74th minute, when Lasogga first scored, and it only took him a further 9 minutes to lock up his hat-trick and the win for his side. If a 9 minute hat-trick doesn’t make the cut, I don’t know what will!

Rodriguez

Argentina is our next stop, where we saw Atletico Tucuman play hosts Tigre. The match ended 3-0, with the hosts sailing to victory, Rodriguez being the man of the hour. After scoring the first, he went on to secure one from the spot and completed his hat-trick in the 58th minute from open play. With so many hat-tricks floating around this week though, will it be enough?

B.W.Phillips

Over to America next, where a 6 goal thriller between D.C United and New York Red Bulls ended in a draw. Despite only taking a point, Phillips was phenomenal throughout, scoring himself a hat-trick, including a goal in the final seconds to secure his team a point.