TOTW14 Predictions

Starting Eleven

Back to the Bundesliga now where we find Bayern away to Stuttgart. In a match that seemed to have only one outcome, the hosts put in a fantastic performance, making Bayern work for every opportunity and chance. In the end Bayern managed to edge the game as 1-0 victors, but this was only after their goalkeeper managed to pull off a couple of great saves, including one from the spot.

Dortmund have been struggling across every area of the pitch recently, so much so that a new manager appeared to be the only option. Fresh off the back of this change, they appear to have almost instantly found some kind of form again and with a 2-0 victory away to Mainz, the points are starting to add up. Sokratis was the man of the hour this time, not only did he ensure the clean sheet but also scored one of the goals.

After a couple of disappointing draws, Liverpool travelled to Bounemouth where the only acceptable outcome was all three points. Luckily the entire team rose to the challenge and fantastic performances from almost every attacking player secured a 4-0 victory. With Coutinho recently featuring in a team of the week, Firmino in the TOTGS and Salah as the POTM, the default selection here falls onto Lovren. Scoring once, with a diving header we should add, and securing a clean sheet, should be enough to see him squeeze into this week's team.

Tottenham were hosts to Brighton in their first league match last week and despite they rocky form recently, this time they were prepared. Putting forward a solid performance with both the defense and attack, we saw them pick up all the points in a 2-0 win. The one player who stood out this time was their new signing Aurier at RB, keeping a clean sheet and also scoring one of the goals.

Monaco travelled to Saint-Etienne for their Ligue 1 fixture this week and this time the journey was definitely worth it. In a 4-0 thrashing we were not left short of possible team of the week candidates, however Fabinho from the holding position is the player who just edges the others out. With a solid performance defensively, he also proved he could do the same going forward. Scoring once, assisting another and picking up the man of the match, this could be a fantastic card if it happens.

Over to the Serie A now where Juventus were away to Bologna. As most would expect, it was the away side who pulled off a fairly comfortable 3-0 win and while the goals were spread, there was one player who just edges it for these predictions. With a goal, an assist and a solid showing from the midfield, Pjanic could be on his way to a second inform, and just in time for Christmas.

Manchester City are absolutely flying this season and things were not going to change when they travelled to Swansea for their mid-week fixture. Picking up a comfortable 4-0 victory, it was once again their Spanish playmaker David Silva who stole the show. Scoring twice and dominating the match, hopefully he has done enough for a second inform here.

Chelsea travelled to Huddersfield for their Tuesday night fixture, and with Bakayoko scoring the first, the entire FIFA community began to fear that the end was near. Luckily Willian had different plans and in a comfortable 3-1 victory, was included in all of the goals. Scoring once and assisting the other two, Willian was clearly the man of the match and with a little luck has secured a spot in this team of the week too.

With Neymar recently featuring in the TOTGS, a second special card so soon is usually frowned upon. However, he is yet to actually secure an inform this season and with such a dominating display on the weekend, it becomes almost impossible to exclude him from this lineup. PSG were away to Rennes for their Ligue 1 match and in a dominant 4-1 victory, Neymar was a part of each and every goal. Scoring twice and assisting the other two, surely it becomes irrelevant that he was in the TOTGS and his first inform is just around the corner.

Finally, after months of waiting, it looks like we could be seeing our first Suarez inform of the season. Barcelona were hosts to Deportivo for their La Liga clash, and in a 4-0 thrashing there were two players who really stood out. With 2 goals each, Paulinho and Suarez stole the show, and while two goals from a CM would usually get the nod here, with the FUTMAS leaks in full swing, and Paulinho featuring, Suarez gets the nod for this week's predictions.

Borussia M.Gladbach were hosts to Hamburg for this Friday night Bundesliga clash and with mesmerizing efforts from the home teams attack, they left with all the points. In a 3-1 win, two players really stood out, Hazard from LW and also Raffael from the ST position. The prediction spot goes to Raffael, with 2 goals and an assist, however his fairly recent inform could see Hazard steal this spot from under his nose.

Substitutes

Over to the Serie A for our first substitute spot and we find a relegation battling Verona play host to an almighty AC Milan. Against all the odds, Verona not only managed to win the game, but they did so with style, pulling off a comfortable 3-0 victory. Now while on paper it may look like a walk over, this was largely down to an incredible performance from their goalkeeper, Nicolas. With a total of 8 saves, he ensured that the clean sheet remained intact and that his team took home all the points.

Over to the Super Lig now where we see Istanbul Basaksehir play hosts to Antalyaspor. In a dominant 4-1 victory for the hosts, it was their CB, Epureanu who shone the brightest. Although he wasn't quite able to secure that clean sheet, he did score twice, which for a CB is almost always enough!

Over to the Championship now were a QPR travelled to a struggling, bottom of the table Birmingham. In a tightly fought match, fans were made to wait until the 83rd minute for a winner to be found as QPR secured the points in a 2-1 victory. Playing a 3atb formation usually suggests that the defense is forced to refrain from pushing forward, but Robinson wasn't interested in tradition. Scoring both goals and putting in a solid defensive display, hopefully he has done enough to earn this spot.

With Manchester City in such incredible form at the moment, with each passing game it is almost impossible to not select one of their players for the team of the week. Thanks to this, we see two City players squeezing into the predictions this week, Silva from the midweek game and Gundogan from the 4-1 thrashing of Spurs on the weekend. With a goal and an assist, and with other City players already having numerous informs, hopefully we see this German obtain his first special card of the year.

Over to Portugal now, where Benficia were away to Tondela in their Liga Nos Clash. Once again, as most would have expected, it was the favorites who rose as comfortable winners. Picking up a 5-1 victory, Pizzi was the real star of the evening, scoring twice and assisting a third and with this, surely securing his spot in this week's team.

We head over to Holland now where PEC Zwolle travelled to Willem II for their Eredivisie fixture. In a 5-goal thriller, it was the away team who managed to just edge the victory in a 3-2 win, and it was their CM, Saymak, who stole the show. Scoring twice and dominating the midfield, hopefully this performance will secure him his first inform of the season.

Feyernoord travelled to Sparta Rotterdam for their Sunday fixture, and it was a game that had only one outcome. In a 7-0 thrashing there are plenty of potential candidates for the team of the week, however the selection this week falls on their CM, Vilhena. With 2 goals and a dominant performance from the midfield, hopefully this will be enough to see him squeeze in, if not, somebody else from this match is surely nailed on.

Staying in the Super Lig here and we find Besiktas at home to the travelling Osmanlispor FK. In an absolute 5-1 thrashing, one man really stands out for Besiktas, scoring not one, not two, but three of the goals and securing himself a hat-trick. Babel from the left was the clear man of the match and with this has managed to secure a spot in these predictions.

Hertha Berlin were hosts to Hannover for this Tuesday night Bundesliga clash and they made sure that the home advantage came into play. Picking up a comfortable 3-1 victory, it was their LM Kalou who really stood out, scoring twice and putting in a solid performance across the whole 90 minutes.

In the Scottish Premiership we saw Aberdeen play hosts to Hibernian for their Saturday fixture, and in a 4-1 thrashing there was only ever one possible winner. The real stand out superstar this time was their left winger, Mackay-Steven, bagging himself a hat-trick and surely securing his spot in this week's team.

Leicester were away to Southampton for their first game of the week and after the long journey down south, they appeared to be ready for anything. In a fantastic 4-1 victory, it was their CF Okazaki who stole the show. Scoring twice and assisting a third should see him cruise into the lineup.

From a hat-trick in the Scottish Premier League straight into another from the French second division now, where Reims were hosts to Valenciennes. In a dominant 5-1 victory, it was Siebatcheu who shone the brightest, scoring 3 and putting in nothing short of a flawless performance.