Game week 14 has concluded of the Premier League and it is the same old story at the top with Liverpool and Leicester grinding out 2-1 victories over Brighton and Everton respectively. Man City (draw ) and Chelsea (defeat ) lost more ground on the top two thanks to dogged efforts by Newcastle and West Ham. And Watford lost the battle of the basement sides on the south coast as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Southampton.
The final whistle at St Mary's also brought the conclusion of November which means it is time to the name the Advertiser Tribal League's Manager of the Month in association with Monroe's Tavern.
Manager of the Month: November
Drums rolls please, and our Manager of the Month for November is: Ronan O'Sullivan - F.C.22 - 297.
The simply named F.C.22 were the top dogs for the month of November. Over the three and half game weeks, Ronan O'Sullivan's men have garnered a massive 297 points to take this month's gong. The club was simply outstanding for the month but one man stood head and shoulders above the rest, and that was captain Jamie Vardy. The England striker brought home 60 points with goalkeeper Nick Pope, defender Ricardo Pereira, and midfielders Kevin De Bruyne, Sadio Mané, and James Maddison also securing big scores for O'Sullivan. Can F.C.22 make it a December to remember?
Congratulations to Ronan who wins a matchday special burger or wings and a pint courtesy of Monroe's Tavern.
Top three
Jamie Vardy (Leicester City - £9.6 million ) v Watford
Not much more one can say about Leicester's brilliant striker other than he is a 'must start' for any Fantasy manager. Ten goals in eight games, including the equaliser on Sunday against Everton, sees Vardy extend his lead in this season's chase for the league's Golden Boot award. On Wednesday the Foxes and Vardy host bottom placed Watford at the King Power Stadium. Having sacked their second manager of the season, Quique Sánchez Flores, after the 2-1 defeat to Southampton at the weekend, The Hornets are in dire straits. And Watford's fortunes will not get any better in the east Midlands. I predict 3-0 to the home side with Vardy on the scoresheet. Make him captain for double the points.
Danny Ings (Southampton - £6.2 million ) v Norwich City
Having found the net six time in his last eight outings, including the last three matches, Danny Ings is one of the form players in Premier League, despite playing for a side which has been stuck in the relegation zone all season. The one time capped England international has been the bright spark for the Saints in a dark campaign and it was he, who led the comeback against Watford on Saturday, bundling in the equaliser in the 78th minute. On Wednesday, Ralph Husenhüttl's men take on fellow strugglers Norwich City on the south coast. The Canaries are playing with more confidence in recent weeks as evidenced in the securing of four points in the last two games. But both sides struggle to keep the ball out of their nets; Southampton have conceded 32 goals so far this term with Norwich faring little better with 30 shots beating keeper Tim Krul in 14 league matches; the worst and second worst defences in the league respectively. With those stats, I expect a high scoring draw with Ings being the man to trouble the scorekeepers for the Saints.
Marcus Rashford (Man United - £8.7 million ) v Spurs
Wednesday's meeting between the sides is likely to be all about one man; the return of José Mourinho to Old Trafford. Yes the Portuguese will face United for the first time since they unceremoniously dumped him last season. The Spurs manager has turned around the north London outfit's fortunes with three wins from three in all competitions but has yet to fix Spurs' defensive with six goals conceded. This leaky defence will come up against an in form Marcus Rashford who has four goals and three assists in six league appearances. There will be goals in Manchester on Wednesday evening and I believe Rashford will be on the scoresheet. Get him in your team.
Don't miss a minute of action with Monroe's Tavern
Remember you can catch all of game week 15'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.
Tuesday:
Crystal Palace v Bournemouth (7.30pm ) Premier Sports.
Burnley v Man City (8.15pm ) Premier Sports.
Wednesday:
Man United v Spurs (7.30pm ) Premier Sports.
Liverpool v Everton (8.15pm ) Premier Sports.
Thursday:
Sheffield United v Newcastle (7.30pm ) Premier Sports.
Arsenal v Brighton (8.15pm ) Premier Sports.
