TOTW 27 PREDICTIONS

TOTW 27 is nearly upon us, and the biggest positive is that FUT Birthday is likely to be happening this week as well! The team itself looks extremely lacklustre, and if I’m honest, a few of these guys only made the cut to give the lineup a much needed boost!
 

Starting Eleven
 

Gurtner

As usual we kick start things with a goalkeeper nomination, and to find this we head across to France and Ligue 1. Angers and Amiens went head to head in this fixture in a match that severely lacked goals. The game ended 0-0, however things could have been very different if it wasn’t for a couple of big saves from Gurtner, including one from the spot.

Marcelo

Our first defensive nomination this week is a bit of a long shot, however with the clear abundance of superstar names currently in with a chance, we can assume EA will throw some wildcard selections at us come Wednesday! With Zidane back at Madrid we instantly saw some changes with the lineup, which included the return of players like Isco, Bale and Marcelo into the starting eleven. All three players instantly rewarded the boss, with goals from both Isco and Bale, and a clean sheet combined with an assist from Marcelo.

Militao

Over to Portugal now where we find a match that presents us with numerous TOTW performances. Porto took the points with a 3-0 home win over Maritimo on Saturday, and with the goals spread across the team this is our toughest selection yet. Telles scores from the spot and provided an assist, Corona was the man of the match with an assist, however our nomination goes to Militao, who started at RB, moved across to CB and scored during the match.

Boateng

Predicting this selection correctly is the equivalent of choosing the winning lottery numbers, there is likely no logic and it could be absolutely anyone! Bayern comfortably beat Mainz 6-0 this week and apart from the sensational hat-trick from James, goals and assists were split across the team. The bad news for us, is that James features in the current TOTW and so we are left choosing from
Boateng, Sule, Alaba, Thiago or even Goretzka. Boateng gives us a strong defender in the lineup, and hence he is our selection this time!

Alberto

Last year you simply couldn’t stop this man from obtaining special cards, however this year it’s the middle of March when we may see his first. Lazio picked up a very comfortable 4-1 win over Parma on Sunday, a match in which Alberto was sensational. Scoring once from open play, once from the spot and providing an assist for another, Alberto has done more than enough to earn his spot amongst the elite this week.

Linetty

Over to Italy now, where Sassuolo and Sampdoria went head to head in an 8 goal thriller. On the day it was Sampdoria who took the win, picking up the points with a 5-3 away victory. A game like this immediately provides a list of potential nominations, however for us we couldn’t look past Linetty. Not only did this CDM take the highest match rating, but he also scored one and assisted a second, possibly giving him his first inform of the season.

Sancho

With the Bundesliga title race in full swing, and Dortmund only behind on goal difference, the smallest of mistakes could cost either team the crown. Dortmund came extremely close to being the first side to slip up, that was until their talisman Reus hit home in the 92nd minute to secure Dortmund the points. Across the 90 minutes Sancho was once again in great form, providing 2 assists during their 3-2 win over Hertha Berlin, and taking the highest match rating on the day too.

Lozano

We head across to Holland now, where a Mexican youngster has given himself a chance of yet another upgrade on his headliner card. PSV were narrow 1-0 away winners over VVV-Venlo this week, with Lozano scoring the only goal of the game. Now normally I would question the chances of such a performance securing yet another inform, however after Pepe received his boost last week after a similar result, I believe Lozano has every chance of making the cut this time around!

Kruse

Moving back to Germany now, where Werder Bremen took all 3 points with a 3-1 away win against Leverkusen. Kruse was in sensational form on the day, playing just behind the strikers he slotted home twice and assisted the third. This could be his first upgrade of the season as well, and if he makes it, he’s done it in style!

Rooney

With the MLS back in full swing it only took a couple of weeks before we saw this English superstar finding his first hat-trick of the campaign. DC United destroyed Salt Lake with a massive 5-0 win, and as mentioned above Rooney was the man of the hour. Scoring twice from open play, once from the spot and finding an assist along the way, surely there is no chance that Rooney misses out this week.

Di Maria

Onto our final player within this starting eleven, and as luck would have it, he is also the highest rated one too! PSG played twice this week, picking up 6 points with a 4-0 win away to Dijon on Tuesday and a 3-1 home win over Marseille on Sunday. Di Maria was absolutely sensational in both matches, scoring 3, assisting 2 and picking up near perfect match ratings across both games.

Substitutes and Reserves

Bizot

Onto the bench now and with it the second goalkeeper nomination of the week. Ajax were away to AZ Alkmaar for their weekend fixture, in a game that most expected them to win. This is football though, where you can never predict the results! Alkmaar picked up a 1-0 win on the day, however if it wasn’t for a superb performance from Bizot in goal, things could have gone very differently.

Morgan

With just 4 minutes gone on the clock a clumsy mistake by Maguire saw Leicester reduces to 10 men in their away fixture against Burnley. With Morgan brought on in the 6th minute, Leicester initially went down 1-0 before coming back to take the points with a 2-1 win. For the majority of the match Morgan was solid at the back, and when we then factor in his 90th minute winner, it would be foolish to exclude him from this lineup.

Benes

We head back across to Germany now, but this time it’s not the top tier of football that catches our attention. Holstein Kiel took the points with a huge 5-1 home win over Erzgebirge this week. Benes was absolutely magnificent on the wing, scoring twice and assisting a further two, whilst securing a perfect overall match rating as well.

Samaris

Benfica were very comfortable 4-0 winners away to Moreirense in their domestic fixture this week, in a game that provided us with a handful of potential TOTW candidates. Grimaldo was fantastic at the back, maintaining the clean sheet and also providing 2 assists across the match. Our selection however goes with Samaris in the midfield, who dominated the match, won the man of the match award and also managed to find the back of the net himself. 

Hamouma

We head back to France now, where a travelling Saint Etienne dominated Caen in a very comfortable 5-0 win. Hamouma stole the spotlight in this game, dominating the match and terrorising the opposition from start to finish. With one goal, 2 assists and a fantastic match rating as well, he slides into our predictions, with a possible +5 upgrade too!

Piatti

Back across to the MLS now, where Montreal took home the points with a 3-1 away win over Orlando on the weekend. Piatti was in brilliant form on the day, dominating the match and terrorising the opposition from start to finish. Securing two goals, the man of the match award and a near perfect match rating from his left wing position, we feel like this should easily be enough to see him make the team this week.

Martinez

A game of this magnitude just had to provide us with at least one TOTW nomination, and with a heated derby finishing with a 3-2 scoreline, it definitely didn’t disappoint! On the day it was Inter Milan who took the points over their rivals AC Milan. De Vrij with a goal at center-back has a real chance of stealing this spot, however our selection goes with Martinez who provided an assist and also scored one from the spot.

Angulo

Over to Poland next where Gornik Zabrze took the points with a 3-0 away win over Lech Poznan. Angulo was the difference on the day, with an incredible performance from the front. Scoring twice and assisting the third, he played a part in each and every goal, giving himself a real chance at his first inform of the campaign so far.

Hamdallah

Al Nassr were away to Al Wehda for their fixture this week, where they took the points with a comfortable 4-0 win. Hamdallah has already secured two Informs this year, so to achieve a third he was always going to need a massive game. Luckily it seems like he new this, as he put away each and every goal in his sides 4-0 win, surely securing yet another Inform in the process!

Chicharito

Moving back to the Premier League now, where we find a 7 goal thriller full of twists, turns and surprises! Despite going 1-0 up, West Ham quickly lost their early momentum, finding themselves 3-1 down by the 65th minute. With 75 minutes played it looked like Huddersfield were on track to securing a much needed 3 points, however the half time substitute Chicharito had other plans. West Ham pulled one back in the 75th, giving Chicharito the drive needed to score twice in the final 6 minutes and turn the tie around.

Pandev

Well this was an unexpected result, however it sure makes for an entertaining right up in these predictions! Juventus finally lost a domestic match this season as they travelled to Genoa for their weekend fixture. After Ronaldo’s midweek heroics he was given a much needed rest this week, however it came at a cost. With the match tied at 0-0 in the 60th minute, Pandev came into action. He made these 30 minutes count, scoring once and assisting a second to secure a 2-0 win for victory the hosts.

Weghorst

We always try to close these predictions with a beyond impressive performance, and thanks to Weghorst we are able to do this once again! Wolfsburg picked up a much needed win with a 5-2 victory over Fortuna Duesseldorf this week. Weghorst was in spectacular form, bagging himself a hat-trick and also providing assists for the other 2 goals. This man is a lock!