TOTW12 Predictions

Starting Eleven

Manchester United travelled to Arsenal for their League fixture, and if they wanted to keep the pressure on league leaders Manchester City, a win was required. Thanks to 14 incredible saves from De Gea, they achieved exactly this and pulled off a 3-1 victory. Is it too early for a SIF De Gea or is it simply irrelevant after such a strong showing.

Atletico were at home to Real Sociedad for this La Liga fixture and thanks to a strong defensive showing and a goal from their LB, Luis, they ensured that they took all the points.

Chelsea played Swansea in their first league game this week and despite the hosts being strong favourites, the game was anything but easy. The deadlock was broken by a single goal from Rudiger, and when we also add the clean sheet into the equation, hopefully he has done enough.

Twente were hosts to Ajax for this Eredivisie game and if I’m honest there were plenty of stand out performances. With the lack of standout defensive performances this week though, with 2 goals in a 3-3 draw, Thesker makes these predictions.

The first of two players to feature from Inter Milan’s weekend game is their CB, Skriniar. Ensuring a clean sheet was kept and also picking up one of the five goals, might just be enough in a week where defensive masterclasses weren’t flowing.

With so many games played this week it is always difficult for an attacker to break into the lineup with a single goal. Bayern were 3-1 victors over Hannover in their Bundesliga game and although Coman only scored once, he was by far the best player on the pitch and truly deserves this recognition.

Despite a tough loss against United in their second fixture this week, Arsenal absolutely destroyed Huddersfield 5-0 in their first. Ozil was absolutely everywhere on the pitch, scoring once and assisting another two. The only worry is that the United match may go against him.

As a Liverpool fan it is fantastic to see them back on track, but when it comes to selecting the TOTW it provides a bit of a nightmare. Salah scored twice midweek, Firmino got two on the weekend, but for me, Coutinho with his goal and 2 assists stole the show.

Finally under new management and it seems like Everton could have finally turned a corner. In the week, Everton destroyed struggling West Ham 4-0 with Rooney scoring three, including one from his own half. This guy is a lock.

From the hat-trick Rooney scored straight into another from Perisic. Inter were hosts to Chievo on Sunday and in a dominant 5-0 thrashing, Perisic is clearly the pick with a breathtaking 3 goals.

The final player making the starting lineup also sees our second path to glory card. Fenerbahce were hosts to Kasimpasa in their weekend game and in a 4-2 victory it was Giuliano who stood out. Scoring twice and dominating the match, he has wasn’t his spot in these predictions.

Substitutes

We have seen numerous superstars feature so far in these predictions, but this pick is by far my favourite. Newly promoted Benevento were at home to AC Milan and despite being almost 25% through the season, they were yet to secure a single point. It took a last minute diving header from their goalkeeper to achieve this feat and if this isn’t team of the week worthy, then I may as well give up!

FC Ufa were hosts to Amkar in their Russian League fixture and once again it was the home team who took all the points. In a 3-0 victory, it was their striker who not only scored twice but also assisted the third.

Lazio travelled to Sampdoria for their Serie A fixture and despite their great form this season, an easy win wasn’t to be. Lazio managed to edge out a 2-1 victory mainly thanks to a fantastic performance from Savic who dominated the pitch and also bagged himself a goal.

Hoffenheim were hosts to Leipzig for their Bundesliga clash and it was the Home team again who stole the show. In a 4-0 thrashing Gnabry was the standout player, scoring twice and creating numerous problems for the oppositions backline.

Seattle were hosts to Houston for their MLS playoff match and in a comfortable 3-0 victory Seattle make the finals. Bruin was the star of this match scoring once and assisting on another.

Strasbourg were hosts to an unbeaten PSG for this Ligue 1 fixture and it was a match that seemingly had only one outcome. Despite the odds, the home team managed to overturn the league leaders, securing the three points and providing PSG with their first loss of the season. Costa was the star of this performance, scoring once and assisting the second.

CSKA Moscow were hosts to Tosno for this Russian League fixture and to say that both teams showed up would be a lie. In a 6-0 thrashing there were numerous great performances, but their CDM Natcho really stood out. Locking down the midfield, scoring once and even providing an assist, he is my player of choice from this match.

In a typical team of the week we will see just the two goalkeepers included, but with the amount of incredible displays this week even keeping it to 3 was a struggle! Wolfsburg were hosts to Monchengladbach in this Bundesliga match and although the scoreline reads 3-0, the match was anything but easy for the hosts. The away team had an incredible 17 shots but Casteels ensures that not a single one slipped past him, keeping a clean sheet and earning a spot here.

We come across our second Manchester United player now and while some may suggest Young deserves this spot, Lingard just steals it for me. Scoring once midweek and then twice against Arsenal, hopefully this youngster has done enough to earn his first Inform this year.

Zaglebie Lubin were hosts to Termalica in this weekend fixture and in a 4-2 victory there was one man who stole the show. Scoring 3 goals within just 9 minutes, Swierczok not only secured a hat-trick, but also a spot in these predictions.

Celtic were hosts to Motherwell for their SPL fixture and as you may expect, the hosts were dominant once more. In a 5-1 victory it was their striker Edouard who takes the glory, bagging himself a hatrick and a deserved selection here.

It’s not often we see a SPL player feature in the team of the week, and to see two is almost unheard of, however this week it feels justified. Rangers were hosts to Aberdeen for their fixture and in a 3-0 win, it was their RB, Tavernier, who not only kept a clean sheet, but also scored twice.