TOTW26 Predictions

Starting Eleven

Cech

Our first prediction this week is most likely one that will anger and upset a large portion of the community, not because he is undeserving, but because of who will miss out if this comes true. Arsenal were at home to Watford for the Sunday fixture and during a comfortable 3-0 win, both Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan (those two names together become a nightmare for spelling) picked up an assist and a goal each. The problem is that this isn't for a first inform and hence EA usually require a little bit more, Cech however has had no special cards this year, he kept a clean sheet and saved a penalty as well, it could be his day.

Hugo

Now this is a selection that is almost too perfect and one that everybody will be pleased to see happen. Fiorentina were at home to Benevento for their Serie A fixture and in an incredibly tight game, it was the hosts who managed to edge out a 1-0 victory. After the tragic news regarding Astori last week, to see his defensive partner and friend, Hugo, keep a clean sheet and score the winning goal, is the perfect tribute and almost feels like this had to happen.

Manolas

Roma were hosts to Torino in an incredibly important game towards the top of the Serie A and this time it was Roma who stole the show. In a comfortable 3-0 victory Nainggolan gave himself a real shout for a second inform with 2 assists and a solid performance throughout, however our selection goes with Manolas. A clean sheet, a great game from start to finish and even a goal to his name as well!

Aurier

We head back to the Premier League for this selection and the first of our two nominees from Tottenham. Tottenham came back from a goal behind to beat Bournemouth 4-1 on Sunday and while Aurier may not have managed a clean sheet, a goal and an assist may very well be just about enough to see him creep into the TOTW and receive his first inform of the year.

Garcia

Athletic Bilbao were hosts to Leganes for their weekend fixture and in a game of two goals, it was the hosts who took the points. Garcia, from the midfield, was absolutely sensational, scoring both goals and securing the man of the match award too.

Vela

We head over to America now and with the MLS only having recently returned, we could already have one of our first huge informs this week. Los Angeles FC were away to Salt Lake and in a game of 6 goals, it was the away side who picked up a comfortable 5-1 win. Now Rossi scored twice and even picked up an assist, making him a fantastic candidate, however Vela picked up an assist, a goal and a perfect match rating to go alongside them which is why he edges out his teammate to make it into our predictions. Time to get grinding that DKT everyone!

Rashford

Second place Manchester United were at home to third placed Liverpool in a winner takes all match towards the top of the Premier League. An early goal from Rashford put United ahead, and a quickfire second pretty much stuck the nail in the coffin. A fantastic performance and a real danger down the left throughout, this should be more than enough to see his PTG card finally receive an upgrade!

Son

After scoring twice last week, Son was somehow missing from the actual TOTW, something that we as a community were not happy about. This only fueled Son to do better, score more, become super human and after an incredible performance mid-week against Juventus he then went on to score another 2 goals on the weekend against Bournemouth. In a fantastic 4-1 victory Son picked up man of the match, but with a goal and an assist for Aurier, we could very well see him creep into the mix as well.

Dybala

As if these predictions didn’t already pack enough heat, we have a couple more superstars to bring to the table, just to ensure we end with a bang! Juventus were at home to Udinese for their Sunday fixture and in a match where Higuain missed yet another goal from the spot, a new hero was needed. Dybala was once again the man to rise to the challenge, scoring twice from the left-wing position and hopefully picking up his third inform of the year. If this happens, Dybala will have a central inform, one on the right and now one on the left, is there anywhere this youngster can't play?

Ribery

Bayern absolutely destroyed Hamburg 6-0 when they met in the Bundesliga and although it's rare that EA include 2 players from a single club, there is simply no way we could leave either of these two out. Ribery managed to bag himself two goals from the left and on top of this he also provided a near perfect match rating for his fantastic display. While Lewandowski is likely a lock with his hat-trick, surly Ribery also deserves this acknowledgement too.

Lewandowski

Bayern were hosts to Hamburg on Saturday and after the absolute thrashing the visitors received, they will be wishing they simply hadn't bothered making the trip! The match ended 6-0 and there were some truly fantastic performances to mention throughout. Lewandowski however simply has to make the cut, with 2 goals from open play and one from the spot, he completed his hat-trick and a second inform just has to be around the corner.

Substitutes

Dovbnya

Our substitute goalkeeper this week is one that may turn heads, not due to their fantastic display, but due to the fact that he comes from a losing side. SKA-Khabarovsk were away to Spartak Moscow on Sunday and in a game that saw the hosts tally 41 shots with 12 on target, to only lose the match 1-0 is absolutely spectacular. There was a penalty save thrown into the mix along with some fantastic control of his defenders, the worst part is that the goal they conceded came in the 90th minute, what a horrible way to lose!

Fischer

Sparta Rotterdam were away to Roda for their Eredivisie fixture on the weekend and it looks like the journey paid off. In a 2-0 victory, Fischer at the back was as solid as a rock, not only did he ensure the clean sheet was kept but he also provided one of the goals in a near perfect performance.

Ayoub

FC Utrecht were hosts to Vitesse for their Sunday fixture and in a game that brought us 6 goals, 5 of these went to the hosts. There were some fantastic performances across the board, with 4 different goal scorers for Utrecht, however only one man could possibly be placed into these predictions. With 2 goals and an assist, Ayoub from the central role was simply unstoppable throughout and a TOTW card would be totally deserved.

Nkunku

Over to France now where league leaders PSG were hosts to the travelling Metz. Now seeing PSG comfortably picking up wins with huge score lines is nothing new and as they proceeded to destroy Metz 5-0 very few could be surprised, however seeing a name feature within these predictions that isn't already a superstar, is a refreshing change to say the least. Nkunku scored twice during this victory and while his current card may only be a 71-rated silver, we could very well be seeing a brand-new gold inform on the market this week.

Kenedy

Newcastle were at home to Southampton towards the bottom of the Premier League and with the relegation battle really starting to heat up, both clubs desperately required a win. The hosts were ready and waiting and with just 2 minutes gone, they were already 1-0 up. The match ended 3-0 with Kenedy scoring twice, whether or not this is enough for an inform though is a completely different question.

Valente

Matitimo were at home to Vitoria de Setubal for their fixture on the weekend and in a game consisting of 6 goals, it was the hosts who left with all 3 points after a 4-2 victory. Valente from the wing was the hero on the day, scoring twice and assisting a third to secure his position within these predictions.

Fran Sol

Willem II were hosts to top of the table PSV for their Eredivisie game on the weekend and while the world expected a walkover, almost nobody would have predicted the team that would execute it. Willem II picked up a massive 5-0 win and while the entire team were incredible, the nomination this week has to go with the striker Sol. Scoring 3 goals, even if 2 were from the spot, should be enough to see him pick up an inform this week.

Rodrigo Moreno

With the release of all these new PTG cards, it feels like we will be seeing at least one feature every week! This week however it feels like it may be more difficult to find a player left out than find one to include! Valencia were on the road to Sevilla for their La Liga fixture and in a comfortable 2-0 win, it was Moreno who bagged both of the goals, the man of the match award and hopefully an inform as well!

Plea

Moving back to France for this selection and luckily for me, this is probably one of the easiest and most likely TOTW nominees a person could find. Nice were away to Gunigamp on Sunday and during a game of 7 goals, it was the visitors who took all 3 points during a 5-2 victory. Plea was the man of the hour, scoring not once, not twice, not even three times, but four, yes four goals in the match.

Wood

Burnley were on the road to a struggling and desperate West Ham on the weekend and sadly, the 3-0 loss West Ham received was the least of their problems. With issues continuing between club and supporters, they now sit just 3 points above the relegation zone and are in serious trouble. Burnley however have just equalled a club record for points within the Premier League! Wood was brought on in the 61st minute and with the game all square at 0-0, he really needed to provide something special. He did excatly this, after assisting the first he went on to score the next two and ensure his team took all the points.

Mitrovic

Fulham were at home to Sheffield United for their midweek fixture and in a comfortable 3-0 victory, it was Mitrovic who scored twice. Now for a Championship game, seeing a striker receive an inform for just two goals is a fairly rare occurrence, but when we add this to his 90th minute winner on Saturday and his second goal in a 2-1 victory away to Preston, we have ourselves a super strong candidate!

Kone

Dynamo Dreseden were hosts to FC Heidenheim for their Bundesliga 2 clash on the weekend and in an incredibly tight game consisting of 5 goals, it was the hosts who edged out a 3-2 win. Their striker Kone was the man of the hour, scoring all three goals, including an 83rd minute winner to wrap up the match.