TOTW16 Predictions

Starting Eleven

With the incredible season Manchester City are having, it seems strange to find a player without an inform already. This being said, when Crystal Palace received a last minute penalty, the unbeaten season looked likely to end. Ederson however was ready, and although it was his only save of the game, with so few matches it may just be enough.

Liverpool were hosts to Swansea early last week and in a dominating performance, they took all 3 points in a comfortable 5-0 victory. With several stand out performances, taking the spotlight away from Coutinho or Firmino was difficult, but with the lack of defenders having standout matches, a goal and clean sheet here may just be enough.

Chelsea were hosts to Stoke for their Premier League fixture on the weekend, and in a 5 goal masterclass, Chelsea were the only side ever in contention. With a goal and a clean sheet from the back, Rudiger secures himself a spot in this week’s predictions.

Watford were at home to Leicester in the first if their Premier League games last week and in a resilient performance, they managed to secure all the points. In a 2-1 victory, it was their CB Wague who was solid at the back and also scored the winner.

Last year it became a fairly regular occurrence to see Alli feature in the team of the week, player of the month nominations or at least on the scoresheet, this year however is a whole different scenario. On Tuesday, Tottenham beat Southampton 5-2 at Home, with Kane scoring yet another hat-trick. As he featured in the current TOTW, we need to look elsewhere, so Alli and Son with their 1 goal and 1 assist are next in line.

With the majority of leagues still on their festive break, finding a player not from he premier League is a breath of fresh air. Napoli were away to a struggling Crotone on the weekend and while they only managed a 1-0 victory, with Hamsik the scorer, a single goal this week may just be enough.

Back to the Premier League again now where we find our second Chelsea selection of the week. The concern is, that both selections come from Chelsea’s 5-0 win over Stoke. During this match, Willian was incredible, dominating the pitch, assisting twice and even scoring from the spot too.

Manchester United were away to Everton on the weekend and after recent results, they really needed to get back into winning form. Luckily, that’s exactly what happened and in a 2-0 win, it was Pogba who really stood out, assisting both the goals.

Arsenal were away to Crystal Palace last Thursday and in a 5 goal thriller, they just managed to edge out the win and secure a much needed 3 points. During their 3-2 victory, it was Sanchez who stood out, scoring twice and saving Arsenal once again.

We find our second Liverpool selection of the week, and is a name we should all be familiar with by now! Liverpool were at home to Leicester on the weekend and during a 2-1 victory Salah was once again the player who stole the show. Scoring both the goals, he has given himself a great chance at yet another Inform.

For our final selection in this starting eleven, we once again move across to the Serie A. Juventus were away to Verona on the weekend and in a 3-1 victory it was Dybala who stole the show. With two goals and a dominating display, surely we will be seeing a second Inform for this young superstar.

Substitutes

For our first substitute we remain within the Serie A where we find Genoa away to Torino. In a game of 0 goals, it was Genoa’s backline that really impressed, including their goalkeeper Perin. With a total of 6 saves and a clean sheet, he gets the nod as our second goalkeeper this week.

Leicester were hosts to Huddersfield for one of their league clashes last week and in a promising 3-0 win, a couple of players really stood out. Both Mahrez and Albrighton finished the game with both a goal and an assist, but seeing as Mahrez has already secured two informs this season, Albrighton is our pick here.

A struggling Bournemouth played hosts to Everton on the weekend and with the addition of a new manager, most expected an away win. Bournemouth however came with a mission, a mission in which they succeeded. In a 2-1 victory, it was Fraser who really stood out, scoring both the goals and securing the points.

Heading back over to Italy now where Sampdoria were hosts to the travelling SPAL. In a 2-0 win for the home side, it was Quagliarella who stole the show, scoring both goals and dominating the game.

We remain in the Serie A for this selection and while this may not be a pick that normally receives recognition, I feel like this would be deserved. Benevento are still yet to ever record a first division victory and as they hosted Chievo on the weekend, few expected this to change. A single goal decided the game, a goal from Coda, a very special goal that gave Benevento their first ever Serie A victory.

Burton were on the road this weekend to Sheffield Wednesday and in a brilliant showing they travelled back with all 3 points. In a 3-0 victory, it was their defender Flanagan who stole the show, scoring, assisting and keeping a clean sheet is surely enough to nail down a spot this week.

Barnsley were away to Sunderland in their Championship match and in a game of very few goals, they also left as 1-0 victors. Pinnock was the man who scored this goal and when we add this to a flawless defensive display, he also makes this shortlist.

A struggling Aston Villa were hosts to a Bristol City side that were in the form of their lives and while most expected an away win, nobody could have predicted what actually took place. In a 5-0 thrashing for Aston Villa, everybody was superb, but the player making our shortlist today is Snodgrass with 2 goals and a man of the match award.

Middlesbrough were hosts to Bolton in this Championship fixture and it was the home side who left as 2-0 victors. Braithwaite was the player who really stole the show, scoring one and assisting the second.

Derby were away to Ipswich for this league fixture and in a game of three goals, it was the away side who took all the points. Winnall was the key man in this performance, scoring twice during the 2-1 win and rightfully securing the man of the match award.

We head over to Australia now where we find Sydney FC hosting Perth Glory. In a game of 6 goals, only one side were ever in contention and in a comfortable 6-0 win, it was Bobo who managed to secure himself a hat-trick and possibly a second Inform.

Our final pick sees us head back to England’s second division where league leaders Wolves were away to second placed Bristol City. In a game that saw two red cards and endless opportunities, Douglas was the player who stood out. In a 2-1 victory, he scored once and assisted the second, ensuring Wolves stay safely atop the table.