Newcastle (1st; 15pts; +15) confident displays against contenders Liverpool and Manchester United plus convincing victories over weaker opposition see Newcastle amass 5 from 5 and take the lead in a dominant fashion. They still have a game in hand over some of the chasing pack and managed to rotate their players well enough to avoid any injuries.
0 Current first team injuries.
Blackburn (2nd; 15pts; +14) another perfect month for Rovers as they confidently match Newcastle's run and sit second in the table just 1 goal behind the leaders. If they can win their game in hand that may change altough their strike force is depleted with 3 of their finishers out to injury.
3 Current first team injuries:
Luca Boccaccini (AMRL/ST) 9-12 days (damaged elbow)
Álvaro Aguilar (ST) 5-6 weeks (strained knee ligaments)
Amos Obi (ST) 4-14 days (fractured wrist)
Leeds (3rd; 13pts; +12) three wins in a row see Leeds rise four places in the table and lurk just behind leaders Newcastle and Blackburn at the top. They also have a game in hand over the lower placed contenders.
2 Current first team injuries:
Brian Shea (WBL/AML) 4-6 weeks (torn hamstring)
Haris Slomic (DLC) 6-9 days (damaged elbow)
Chelsea (5th; 12pts; +4) a couple hard fought draws and a win allow the Blues to remain unbeaten and in touch with the top but they drop from 1st to 5th and have played a game more.
1 Current first team injury:
Sebastjan Abvelj (MC) 11-14 days (pulled hamstring)
Liverpool (7th; 10pts; 0) four points from September not good enough for scousers as they drop 3 places in the table and have played one more game than the leading pack. Fans at Anfield will be hopeful their inconsistent form doesn't continue in October. They need to make do without 2 of their most potent strikers because of injuries.
2 Current first team injuries:
Daniël van Bremen (M/AMC/ST) 5-6 weeks (fractured wrist)
Eirik Mork (MC/ST) 4-6 weeks (torn hamstring)
Manchester United (10th; 7pts; +5) poor month as Devils take only 3 points to drop down to midtable. They still have a game in hand but can they make it count? Hopes for title march quickly fading at Old Trafford. Lengthly injuries to no less than 3 of their offensive players will give little reason for optimism amongst fans.
3 Current first team injuries:
Guy Amadou (M/AMC/ST) 2-3 weeks (twisted ankle)
Almamy Traoré (AMR/ST) 5-7 weeks (double hernia)
Walter Blasi (MLC/AML) 4-6 weeks (torn hamstring)
Other teams to watch:
Manchester City (4th) managed to take over Chelsea on goal difference. If the Citizens can keep their impressive form they could make bookmakers regret not including them amongst the top contenders.
Everton (6th) are working their way up the table looking to mount a challenge for European slots.
After a promising start Arsenal (13th) have failed to build on and need to take advantage of their game in hand if they are to avoid midtable obscurity this season.
Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Birmingham occupy the bottom three and need to gather a win before the teams above them manage to open a serious gap.
