TOTW4 Predictions

With international features taking over this week, picking a TOTW became a lot more difficult. With OTW cards having left packs, EA will be looking for a bumper squad in order to boost pack sales again, but just how incredible can they realistically make it without forcing players in?

Poland played twice over the past week and if anybody was going to be driving home the goals it was this guy. Once again he provided, with a hatrick in the first and one from the penalty spot in the second.

Ireland had everything to do going into these final two games and the odds were stacked against them when it came to making the WC playoffs. However Murphy bagged himself two goals in the first game against Moldova and then Ireland finished off the job against Wales last night.

On paper it looks like Belgium should be destroying Bosnia whenever, wherever but their away match proved a little more difficult that most would expect. Squeezing out a 3-4 win against the hosts secured the points once again and with a goal and an assist Carrasco is the man who stands out.

With a 3-1 win against Northern Ireland earlier in the week, Germany almost doubled the goals with a 5-1 win over Azerbaijan. Although most players put in a solid performance, Goretzka was the stand out player with 2 goals here.
 

France faced a difficult away game to Bulgaria, a team with a near perfect home record in qualifying. The game was separated by a single goal early into the game from Matuidi and while usually this may not be enough, a goal from a defensive minded midfielder has often made the cut especially when it's a big name that sells packs.
 

A win here for Egypt guaranteed qualification with a game to spare. With a 2-1 win over Congo, they achieved this and have brought Egypt back to the WC. Salah was the star performer here, and although one was a penalty, bagging himself two goals in such an important game has to be enough.
 

With a 4-0 win over Panama, there has to be a USA player in this TOTW. While Altidore scored 2, Pulisic was the stand out star. With a goal, assist and a man of the match performance he ticks all the boxes a team of the week performance requires.
 

With a massive 5-2 over Hungary, Switzerland showed nothing but dominance once again. The usual LWB Zuber took the role of LM for his country, and he took it with some class. Bagging himself 2 goals in the victory is surely enough to secure his spot.
 

Sweden faced Luxembourg over the weekend and a top performance was required. Sweden decided to go one step further, with a modest 8-0 win. While Berg scored 4 of these goals he sadly doesn't feature in UT, and if we couple this with the lack of defensive options available, Granqvist kept a clean sheet and scored two from the spot. This has to be enough right?
 

With 2 games remaining Iceland needed two huge performances, and younger they delivered! A 3-0 win away to Turkey was the first and when we consider the 75% possession the hosts had, this makes the defensive play all that more impressive. Arnason not only kept a clean sheet at the back, but also bagged himself a goal.
 

There was a real lack of goalkeepers to choose from this week, and although we have a CB featuring from this exact match, leaving this guy out was just too hard. A clean sheet and dominance at the back across two games, can often stem from the keeper and the way they shut down Turkey especially deserves recognition.
 

Spain hosted Albania earlier in the week, and with a total of 28 shots, they picked up a 3-0 win. With Isco in the current TOTW and Pedro scoring once as a striker, Thiago who picked up the third is the most likely candidate. A few big names always make the team, the question is did Thiago do enough?
 

Iceland have done it! With Croatia dropping points against Finland, Iceland found themselves simply needing a win to top the group. Now while we already have a few Icelandic players included, a goal and an assist from this OTW player is surely enough, provided Monday games are included in this weeks team of course.
 

After a draw against Finland Croatia found themselves needing points against Ukraine to even make the playoffs. Luckily they delivered, with a 2-0 win Kramaric was the hero who provided both. The only uncertainty again is around do Monday games count?
 

Czech Republic picked up two wins in their matches, with the second being a 5-0 win over San Marino. Although the result was to be expected, a clean sheet and a goal from a defender feels like it should be enough to make the cut this week.
 

Morocco were hosts to Gabon in their qualifier this week. A solid 3-0 performance and a hatrick for the lone striker should prove more than enough to secure him a spot this week.
 

Moving away from the international scene, Doncaster hosted Southend United, and with a solid 4-1 performance they picked up the points. From a CM role, Whiteman bagged himself a hatrick and with it a place in these predictions.
 

Bristol Rovers travelled to Northampton for their weekend fixture. The journey was well worth it, wig a dominating performance and a 6-0 win over the hosts. Harrison at striker managed to score twice in the match which is hopefully enough to land himself his first inform of the season.
 

We move over to the Spanish league now, and Rayo Vallecano were the hosts to Valladolid. A dominate performance saw them win comfortably at 4-1, Embarba scoring himself two from the RM position.
 

Over to the Italian leagues now, and Empoli were hosts to Foggia. A comfortable 3-1 win saw the hosts cruise to victory and with 2 goals Caputo was the standout player.
 

Pro Vercelli travelled to Perugia in this Serie B match, and left as comfortable 5-1 winners. From a midfield role Castiglia put in a dominating performance and also bagged himself two of the goals. 
 

Norway travelled to San Marino for their WC qualifier this week and left as very comfortable victors with an 8-0 win. While players like King had a great game, Elyounoussi got the match ball with a hatrick and has to be in contention for a TOTW slot too.
 

Sporting Gijon were hosts to Sevilla II over in the Segunda Division this weekend. In a comfortable 3-0 win, the striker scored two of the goals and has hopefully done enough to bag himself a spot here.