TOTW 9 PREDICTIONS

We move onto TOTW 9, and while we may not have a whole heap of the biggest names to choose from, we almost have too many big names that could make the list. Usually a hat-trick would instantly make the list, however this week there are plenty of lower league hat-trick performances missing out, which could come back to haunt us!
 

Starting Eleven

Szczęsny

We kick start this weeks predictions with the usual, a nomination for the starting goalkeeper of the squad. Juventus were on the road to AC Milan for their Sunday fixture, and after taking an early 1-0 lead things were looking good for the visitors. Sadly this didn’t last long however, as a penalty went against them shortly after. Higuain stood up, but Szczesny was strong, saving the penalty, and ensuring his side went on to pick up all three points in a 2-0 win. He didn’t have a whole lot to do across the 90 minutes, but he dealt with any challenge fantastically, the only concern is that it may be too early or not quite enough for a SIF already.

Rami

Our three starting defenders all share an incredibly interesting fact this week, their names all begin with an R. I may have slightly over-estimated just how interesting this was, but the fact that Rami was sensational is nothing short of the truth. Marseille took all the points during a 2-0 win over Dijon on the weekend, where Rami played a part in both the goals. With a clean sheet, an assist and a goal to his name, there is simply no chance that he misses out on an inform this week, right?

Ramos

It feels like I may be repeating myself here, but after missing out on an inform last week it seems like Ramos has decided to go one step further to get this upgrade within FUT. Madrid were away to Celta Vigo for their La Liga clash on the weekend, and in a game that provided fans with 6 goals, it was Madrid who took the points in a 4-2 win. Now Ramos may not have managed a clean sheet, but with a goal from the spot and an assist to his name, he may have done enough to overcome that hurdle and sneak his way into the line-up.

Robertson

As a Liverpool fan this card excites me a lot, but as a football fan it was tough to include him within this 23 man squad. We all know that EA likes diversity within their selections, and we also know that the PL is probably the most popular league amongst FUT players. When we consider these facts and combine them with the lack of stand-out performances from the PL this week, suddenly Robertson has a serious chance at making the cut. Liverpool were 2-0 winners over Fulham on Sunday, and with an assist, a clean sheet and a man of the match performance, could we be seeing one of the best left-backs in the league receiving an upgrade this week?

Bernardo Silva

We remain in the PL for this selection, where we find yet another dubious choice. The Manchester Derby was one of the big matches that took place this weekend, and Manchester City once again showed just how dominant they are. The hosts went on to take all the points in a 3-1 victory, and while the team were fantastic, there was one performance that really stood out. Silva was the clear man of the match, and also provided 2 assists in the win, the only concern is that EA think it’s too early for a SIF.

Partey

Back across to Spain now, where we find an incredibly tight match between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao. The game provided fans with 5 goals, with Madrid just edging the match in a 3-2 win. Partey in the middle was in fantastic form on the day, taking the man of the match award, providing an assist and even scoring a goal. 

El Shaarawy

We fly across to Italy for our next selection, and it’s a player who recently featured amongst the October FUTSwap promotion. Roma were comfortable 4-1 winners over Sampdoria in their Serie A game this week, and with them slowly falling behind the pace for Champions League spots, the win was desperately needed. El Shaarawy helped make sure this happened, providing 2 goals and running circles around the oppositions defence from start to finish.

Reus

These predictions have already featured a player from one of the biggest derbies in England, so let’s ramp things up and include one from Germany as well! The Bundesliga is wide open this year, with Bayern struggling to maintain their dominance. Dortmund however have been flying, scoring goals for fun and showing that they are serious contenders for the league this year. Dortmund were at home for their first meeting this year, and they ensured the home advantage wasn’t wasted, picking up all the points in a 3-2 win over their rivals. Reus was once again sensational, scoring once from the spot and another from open play to help his side climb further ahead at the top of the table.

Gomez

Our next selection is one that may come as a surprise, as we feature a player who could quite easily miss out on a spot this week. Atalanta played hosts to the travelling Inter Milan in their Serie A fixture this week, and despite Inter’s fantastic form so far this season, they made them look like amateurs as they pushed on to secure a simple 4-1 win. Now Ilicic was the first man in line for an inform, but due to his recent appearance, it becomes very unlikely that EA include him.

Next up was Gomez, who may have only scored the one goal, but was incredible throughout and is still deserving of his very own inform too.

Depay

This will be the 9th TOTW from FIFA 19, and roughly the 400th time that Depay has featured within our predictions, so to see him fall short again would be nothing short of a crime. Lyon were on the road this weekend to Guingamp, where they took all the points in a 4-2 win. Depay was absolutely breathtaking, playing a part in each and every goal with 2 assists and 2 for himself. If this performance doesn’t finally get him his first inform of the season, then I don’t know what will!

Cavani

Onto our final selection of the starting eleven, and luckily we don’t have to travel far as we remain in France. PSG were away to Monaco for their Ligue 1 fixture, where things went from bad to worse for Monaco’s new manager Thierry Henry. PSG left with all the points in a 4-0 win, and while there were plenty of solid performances, Cavani managed to secure his hat-trick on the night, and with it his first inform of the season.

Substitutes and Reserves

Gurtner

Onto the bench now, and obviously our first slot goes to the second goalkeeper of these predictions. Amiens were away to Toulouse for their Ligue 1 fixture this week, and in a game that provided just a single goal, it was the visitors who left with the points. While they may have taken the win, it was anything but smooth sailing across the 90 minutes, with a total of 23 shots fired against the visitors net. Gurtner however was ready for this, putting in one hell of a performance and ensuring he kept the clean sheet come the final whistle.

Hector

Back across to Germany now, however it isn’t the top tier of football that we are looking at. FC Cologne absolutely destroyed Dynamo Dresden in a 9-1 win on the weekend, and to not include a player from this match simply isn’t an option. Terodde is the obvious selection after bagging himself a hat-trick, however with 2 goals, an assist and a fantastic performance throughout, Hector is the man who gets our vote in these predictions.

Almeida

From one fullback to another now, as we head across to Portugal where Benfica were on the road to Tondela. It was the visitors who left with the points in a fairly comfortable 3-1 victory, and when it came to these predictions only one man was available to take this spot. Almeida may have not quite managed a clean sheet, but with 2 assists and a man of the match performance he may of just done enough to sneak into the final team.

Guilherme

Yeni Malatyaspor made light work of the visiting Trabzonspor this week, as they took all three points in a very comfortable 5-0 win. Guilherme was in incredible form, playing a part in four of these goals. With 2 assists and 2 goals to his name, surely our first silver player has done enough to make EA’s final list.

Van De Beek

Our next selection provides us with yet another showing of absolute dominance, as Ajax obliterated Excelsior 7-1 on the weekend. Beek was an absolute animal in the midfield, running riot throughout, scoring twice and assisting a third to ensure his name made these predictions.

Arfield

After talking about a match that ended 7-1, it becomes extremely difficult to move on and find anything more exciting. Based on this logic, we won't even try, and instead bring you yet another fixture that ended with the same scoreline. Rangers were comfortable 7-1 winners over Motherwell in their Scottish League fixture this week, and with 2 goals Arfield is the man who gets our vote.

Firpo

For the past bajillion years Real Madrid and Barcelona have run riot across La Liga, with the two clubs almost constantly holding the top two positions. This year however both sides really seem to be struggling, which brings us a whole bunch of exciting and unexpected results. Real Betis were 4-3 winners over Barcelona on Sunday, and with a goal, an assist and an incredible performance throughout, Firpo could be seeing his name in lights once again come the announcement on Wednesday.

Rondon

A TOTW with only two Premier League players just seems far too unrealistic, so it’s about time we added a third! Newcastle played hosts to Bournemouth for their fixture this week, where in an incredibly tight match, they managed to edge out a 2-1 win and secure all three points. Rondon was in fine form on the day, scoring both goals and stealing the man of the match award too.

Plea

Back across to the Bundesliga now, where Gladbach aimed to continue their solid start to the season in an away fixture to Werder Bremen. It was the visitors who took the points during a 3-1 victory, and Plea was the hero on the day. Scoring not once, not twice, but three times to secure his hat-trick, Plea strolls into our selections and will surely make the cut.

De Jong

We head back across to the Eredivisie now, where we find our second and final selection for this week. PSV were once again firing on all cylinders this week, as they brushed aside De Graafschap in a 4-1 win. De Jong was once again incredible, scoring twice and assisting a third, while securing an almost perfect match rating too.

Bakambu

With the Chinese Super League coming to a close, there isn’t much time left for players to secure an inform this year. Bakambu obviously new this, and when Shanghai Shenhua travelled to his club, Beijing Guoan, he was more than ready to deliver. The match ended 3-1, and Bakambu played a part in each and every goal. With an assist, a goal from open play and one from the spot, he may have just done enough to find himself an inform this season.

Gignac

Our final selection this week doesn’t need to be classed as a prediction, as there is simply no possible way that this doesn’t happen. Tigres were easy 6-1 winners over Puebla on Sunday, and with 4 goals and an assist, Gignac is getting a TOTW spot on Wednesday.