Round seven concluded at Elland Road on Monday night when Leicester gave league new boys Leeds, a reality check with a 4-1 thumping. The game summed up another game week packed with goals.
Champions Liverpool reached the summit for the first time this season, Fulham earned their first victory of the season after a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers West Brom, and Arsenal heaped the pressure on Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær by inflicting a 1-0 defeat on The Red Devils at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.
However, the conclusion of the round means we have our second Manager of the Month gong to hand out; a pair of socks from SockerClub.com's selection of Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United, or Ireland offerings (one club per winner ).
Manager of the Month: October
So without further delay; drum rolls please. The winner of the Advertiser Tribal League's Manager of the Month for October is James Sheehy and his team The Real Quiz with a superb score of 314 points.
Congratulations to James and his charges who can contact SockerClub.com via DM on Twitter or email [email protected] to arrange delivery of the prize.
Top picks
James Ward-Prowse (Southampton - £5.9 million ) v Newcastle
After losing the opening two games of the season, Southampton have won four and drawn one to move up to fifth in the table. Midfielder James Ward-Prowse has been one of the standouts during this run for Ralph Hasenhüttl's men scoring three goals and providing an assist. On Friday night, The Saints welcome Newcastle to the south coast. The Magpies are arguably the most inconsistent side in the league with every win being followed with a loss in this campaign so far and they won their last game so logic dictates a defeat is coming. I believe this encounter will be tight with Ward-Prowse providing the magic touch for the home side.
Diogo Jota (Liverpool - £6.3 million ) v Man City
The Portuguese forward has seen his opportunities for action limited since his £41 million pound to Anfield. However, in his last two outings he has found the back of the net and with other Liverpool frontman Roberto Firmino struggling to find his goal scoring boots, manager Jürgen Klopp will probably go for the former for Sunday's mega clash with Man City. The Citizens have only won two of their last five matches and currently sit in tenth position in the log. City have only kept two clean sheets this season whereas Liverpool have the second highest tally of goals. I expect lots of goals with Jota getting his name on the scoresheet.
Kurt Zouma (Chelsea - £5.2 million ) v Sheffield United
Now normally I would never select a defender in these lists especially when you consider that every team has decided to forget how to defend this season, however, since the arrival of new goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, Chelsea's sieve like defence has tightened up and goals have decreased. Defender Kurt Zouma has been an important cog in the defence and with the knack of scoring goals, he is the most valuable defender in the Fantasy league. On Saturday evening, Chelsea host Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge. The Blades have been struck down with second season syndrome with only one point garnered from seven games. There is only going to be one result with Chelsea winning and securing another clean sheet.
Game week eight fixtures
Friday:
Brighton v Burnley (5.30pm ) SKY Sports Box Office.
Southampton v Newcastle (8pm ) SKY Sports.
Saturday:
Everton v Man United (12.30pm ) BT Sport.
Crystal Palace v Leeds (3pm ) Premier Sports / BT Sport Box Office.
Chelsea v Sheffield United (5.30pm ) SKY Sports.
West Ham v Fulham (8pm ) BT Sport Box Office.
Sunday:
West Brom v Spurs (12.30pm ) SKY Sports Box Office.
Leicester v Wolves (2pm ) SKY Sports.
Man City v Liverpool (4.30pm ) SKY Sports.
Arsenal v Aston Villa (7.15pm ) Premier Sports / SKY Sports Box Office.
