Newcastle (1st; 58pts; +44) - the Magpies only dropped points once in the past five games to record an unbeaten spree which sees them open a gap up at the top.
Player of the month: Eder Alvarez Balanta (DLC) 8.38
0 Current first team injuries.
Manchester United (2nd; 52pts; +29) - two recent losses see the Red Devils drop behind the league leaders but the title race is still wide open.
Player of the month: Robin van Persie (ST) 8.00
0 Current first team injuries.
Chelsea (3rd; 48pts; +19) - the Blues won three and lost just one of the last five games and sit comfortably in the top four with an outside chance to challenge for the title.
Player of the month: Frank Lampard (M/AMC) 7.52
3 Current first team injuries:
Willian (AMRLC) - 5-7 weeks (torn hamstring)
Juan Mata (AMRLC) - 2-3 weeks (damaged knee cap)
Demba Ba (AML/ST) - 5-6 weeks (torn groin muscle)
Manchester City (4th; 47pts; +21) - four wins and just one loss in last five games grants the Citizens a Champions League position in the current table with the title still a possibility, even if unlikely.
Player of the month: Joleon Lescott (DLC) 7.82
4 Current first team injuries:
Pablo Zabaleta (DRL/WBR) - 7-9 days (damaged elbow)
Fernandinho (DM/MC/AMR) - 4-10 days (sports hernia)
Jesus Navas (M/AMR) - 4-5 months (broken leg)
Stevan Jovetic (AMLC/ST) - 3 weeks (twisted ankle)
Tottenham (5th; 41pts; +20) - Spurs also maintain an excellent run of form with four wins and one loss in last five but the teams above them matched that so it's a stalemate.
Player of the month: Younes Kaboul (DC) 8.00
1 Current first team injury:
Roberto Soldado (ST) - 2-9 days (sprained ankle)
Arsenal (11th; 30pts; 0) - unbeaten in last five games, the Gunners have drastically improved their form but remain in the bottom half of the table.
Player of the month: Thomas Vermaelen (DLC) 7.92
4 Current first team injuries:
Per Mertesacker (DC) - 6-10 days (twisted ankle)
Micah Richards (DRC) - 10-14 days (fractured cheekbone)
Santi Cazorla (AMRLC) - 9 days (virus)
Mesut Ozil (AMRLC) - 5-11 days (sports hernia)
Liverpool (19th; 15pts; -17) - the abysmal form continues for the Reds with just one point to show for the past five games and only goal difference sparing the famous Merseyside club the humiliation of sitting rock bottom of the league.
Player of the month: Joe Allen (DM/MC) 7.28
5 Current first team injuries:
Mamadou Sakho (DC) - 2-7 days (fractured arm)
Martin Kelly (DRC) - 4-9 days (fractured wrist)
Glen Johnson (DR) - 4 days (flu)
Daniel Agger (DC) - 3-4 weeks (fractured arm)
Mohamed Diame (DM/MC) - 2-3 months (knee tendonitis)
Other teams to watch:
Aston Villa (6th) - the Villains pick up 8 points in the last 5 games to remain in contention for Europe.
Fulham (7th) - the Cottagers only take 4 points in the last 5 games and need to improve if they want European football next season.
Everton, Swansea and Hull are still close to the drop zone and while the Toffees and the Swans picked up some points recently, Hull have been very poor and have to change something soon.
West Brom, Liverpool and Norwich occupy the bottom three - Norwich picked up 4 points in the past 5 games but the other two sit bottom of the recent form table and are in deep trouble.
