So what has round 29 done to the top three of the Advertiser Tribal League in association with Monroe's Tavern?
Top three
1 Declan Ryan - Decs Villains - 1,738
Another round completed and another round to the league title for our leaders. The Villains secured 51 points at the weekend, Sadio Mané (13 ) and Mohamed Salah (9 ) were the main men for Declan Ryan as they found the back of the net. Bruno Fernandes (6 ) and Ricardo Pereira (6 ) provided support to the dynamic duo with an assist and a clean sheet respectively. Ryan's charges might not be hitting top form but they are doing enough to keep a hold of top spot.
2 Damien Ruigrok - Flying Dutchmen - 1,720
Flying by name and flying in the league, Damien Ruigrok's Dutchmen had an excellent weekend picking up 68 points. Goals from captain Mohamed Salah (18 ), Anthony Martial (8 ), and Jamie Vardy (11 ) plus clean sheets from Jamaal Lascelles (6 ) and a penalty save from Alex McCarthy (12 ) saw them move into second place. If Ruigrok can find a few more goals from midfield, then that 18 point gap between his men and the summit will disappear very quickly.
3 Dave Dorai-Raj - The Culture - 1,718
Two points back and sitting in third spot, is Dave Dorai-Raj's charges The Culture. Captain Mohamed Salah (18 ), Anthony Martial (8 ), Çaglar Söyüncü (6 ), John Lundstram (12 ), and Dean Henderson (7 ) were the standout performers for The Culture who are making their first appearance in the top three this season. It is too early to say if Dorai-Raj can inspire his men to an improbable win but if they continue in the same vein they did last weekend, they have a real chance.
Top picks
Despite the precautions taken for the midweek clash at the Etihad Stadium, round 30 currently sees a full programme scheduled. Who are the players to do the business for Fantasy managers this weekend?
Bruno Fernandes (Man United - £8.5 million ) v Spurs
There was much consternation among the Old Trafford faithful when the Portuguese midfielder was the Red Devils' only new recruit during the January transfer window but what a signing Bruno Fernandes has been. In five league outings, Fernandes has netted twice and set up three other goals. On Sunday, United travel to north London to take on a Spurs side who have gone three league games without a victory as well as being knocked out of the FA Cup and Champions League. I am going with 2-0 win for United with Fernandes to bother the scorekeepers. Get him in your team.
Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace - £5.1 million ) v Bournemouth
The Eagles are nearly home and dry as they need one more point for the magical 40 point mark. A lot of their recent success can be put down to an incredibly mean defence and the creativity of striker Jordan Ayew. The Ghanian international has scored the winner in the past two league matches as well as setting up the winner against Newcastle. On Saturday afternoon, The Eagles travel down to the south coast to take on relegation threatened Bournemouth. The Cherries sit in the drop zone due to an inferior goal difference and have gone 12 games without keeping a clean sheet. I'm going for a 2-1 away win with Ayew to score the decisive goal.
Olivier Giroud (Chelsea - £6.5 million ) v Aston Villa
It may have taken the French international striker a huge chunk of the season to nail down a starting spot at Stamford Bridge this season but he is repaying coach Frank Lampard's faith with goals. Two goals and one assist in the last three league games see Olivier Giroud strutting around the pitch like he used to do when he was on top form for Arsenal in previous years. On Saturday evening, Chelsea travel to England's second city Birmingham, to take on 19th placed Aston Villa. The Villains just came up short against Man City in the EFL Cup final and that disappointment seemed to have affected the squad as they were thumped 4-0 by Leicester City on Monday night. League form does not look good for Villa as they have lost their four in-a-row, and with Chelsea seemingly over their mid-season blip, I'm expecting an away win with Giroud to find the back of the net.
Don't miss a minute of action with Monroe's Tavern
Remember you can catch all of game week 30'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.
Saturday:
Watford v Leicester City (12.30pm ) BT Sport.
Man City v Burnley (3pm ) Premier Sports.
Aston Villa v Chelsea (5.30pm ) SKY Sports.
Sunday:
West Ham v Wolves (2pm ) SKY Sports.
Spurs v Man United (4.30pm ) SKY Sports.
Monday:
Everton v Liverpool (8pm ) SKY Sports.
