Game week nine's action came to an end with Arsenal's old frailties coming to the fore as they went down 1-0 to Sheffield United in south Yorkshire. Elsewhere, Man United produced a much improved display to earn a 1-1 draw against league leaders Liverpool at Old Trafford, Leicester extended their fine form with another three points via a 2-1 victory over Burnley, and Spurs' woes continued limping to a 1-1 home draw against bottom placed Watford.
And with those results, it is all change in the top three of the Advertiser Tribal League in association with Monroe's Tavern. Let's have a look at who is riding high in the table.
Top three
1 Kieran Ryan - TheDodgyTickers - 543
It is top spot for Kieran Ryan and TheDodgyTickers this week as they managed to garner a solid 43 points during a very low scoring game week. It was all about the boys at the back for The Ticks as John Lundstram and Diego Rico secured shutouts for six and eight points respectively. Goalkeeper Roberto managed to pick up five points for Ryan despite conceding twice in a valiant loss. And captain Raheem Sterling brought home 10 points for The Ticks thanks to his assist on Saturday evening. Can Ryan keep his charges at the summit come 6.30pm next Sunday?
2 Reggie Red - Reginald's Reds - 540
In a week where the average score was 37 points, Reggie Red's game week nine was a big one bringing in 59 points. John Lundstram secured a clean sheet, Andrew Robertson and Callum Hudson-Odoi provided assists, and Raúl Jiménez and captain Jamie Vardy brought home the bacon with two goals for Reginald's Reds as they stormed up the table to second spot, only three points behind the leaders. If Reggie can tighten up the defence then, the Reds can have a big say where the title will go in May.
3 Greg Conneely - FC Twente Times - 537
With 40 points scored at the weekend, manager Greg Conneely probably thought his charges had done enough to hang on to first place for another week. However, FC Twente Times took a minus four point hit due to making a second transfer. The result saw the club fall two places to third, six points behind TheDodgyTickers. Will that four point penalty come back to haunt FC Twente Times at the end of the season?
Top tips
Jamie Vardy (Leicester City - £9.1 million ) v Southampton
Sitting in third place and Jamie Vardy has three goals in three games, Foxes fans are having a party. Brendan Rogers' charges have had an excellent start to the season and it continued last Saturday with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Burnley at the King Power Stadium. On Friday night, Leicester make the long trip to the south coast to face struggling Southampton. The Saints sit just above the relegation zone thanks to goal difference but Ralph Hasenhütti's boys are in free fall with only one point from the last four games, conceding 10 goals in that period. I believe it will be another three points for Leicester on Friday with Vardy getting his name on the scoresheet.
Danny Ings (Southampton - £5.9 million ) v Leicester City
I find it difficult to believe that nobody is talking about Danny Ings. Three goals in three games would see most strikers considered hot property, but Ings is not even in the top 10 most transferred in this week. However, I think the England international is a steal at £5.9 million. On Friday Southampton host Leicester who despite flying high in the league have struggled to keep clean sheets with only two all season. I don't think Southampton will get anything out of this match but I expect Ings to continue his scoring run by finding the back of the net.
Kevin De Bruyne (Man City - £10.1 million ) Aston Villa
The Belgian international may not have scored big last week but Man City looked a far more potent attacking threat with him in the side after he missed the 2-0 defeat to Wolves the week previous. Kevin De Bruyne has created 31 goal scoring chances so far this season, the highest in the league and I believe he will be in the thick of the action this weekend as City host Aston Villa at the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime. The Villians have won back-to-back league matches in the top flight for the first time since May 2015 but despite Dean Smith's men's good recent form, they will be no match for the champions and De Bruyne will be the man to create havoc. Get him in your team.
Don't miss a minute of action with Monroe's Tavern
Remember you can catch all of game week ten's action live at Monroe's Tavern where punters can enjoy wings and a pint or burger and a pint for €10 during the matches.
Friday:
Southampton v Leicester City (8pm ) SKY Sports.
Saturday:
Man City v Aston Villa (12.30pm ) BT Sport.
West Ham v Sheffield United (3pm ) Premier Sports.
Burnley v Chelsea (5.30pm ) SKY Sports.
Sunday:
Newcastle v Wolves (2pm ) SKY Sports.
Liverpool v Spurs (4.30pm ) SKY Sports.
