We’re back at it with another round of the Playmaker Power Rankings after yet another week of great football in the top four tiers. 

It’s all change in the rankings too with a new leader, new entries, and a complete absence of any League Two teams at all – no one in the fourth tier is able to keep up to sustained momentum needed to make it into the ultra-competitive Power Rankings.

10th, Manchester United

Last 5: WWDWD

It’s been a difficult October for Erik ten Hag’s team with games against Manchester City, Newcastle United, Spurs, and Chelsea. But since that hammering in the Manchester derby, United have looked much improved and have almost made out out a tough month with some fine performances.

For 45 minutes United were much the better team against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge until conceding a silly penalty towards the end. However, Casemiro was able to save the day with a late header that shows Ten Hag’s team do have some resilience.

This footage 😍🔊 pic.twitter.com/uHM2SWXSh4

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 23, 2022

9th, Burnley

Last 5: DWWDW

The Clarets' unbeaten run is now up to an impressive 14 games in all competitions after Burnley came from behind to defeat Sunderland 4-2 at the weekend. 

There have probably been too many draws in that run (seven wins and seven draws in those 14 fixtures) for Vincent Kompany's liking but there’s a consistency about Burnley that is likely to pay dividends by the end of the season.

=7th, Swansea City

Last 5: WWLWW

Callum Robinson’s early red card for Cardiff City made the South Wales derby a much easier game for the Swans, although there were still some bruising challenges. Ollie Cooper and Michael Obafemi scored in a 2-0 win that saw Russell Martin’s team enjoy a sizable 83% possession.

Swansea have now won six of their last seven games in the Championship which has moved them up to fourth in the table, just three points behind the league leaders.

Passes completed yesterday:

Matt Grimes - 128
Cardiff - 84 pic.twitter.com/tLVJr0kU91

— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) October 24, 2022

=7th, Queens Park Rangers

Last 5: WWLWW

Speaking of the league leaders, Queens Park Rangers kept their spot at the top of the pile in the second tier with a 2-1 win at home to Wigan Athletic. Stefan Johansen assisted both goals for QPR to make it six assists so far this season – no player has made more goals this season. Only teammate Ilias Chair and Huddersfield’s Sorba Thomas have as many assists.

Reportedly, Michael Beale turned down the Wolverhampton Wanderers job this week. Perhaps that’s because the manager knows that there might be something special going on at Loftus Road this season. 

6th, Blackburn Rovers

Last 5: WLWWW

Blackburn kept up the pace with QPR with a 2-1 win at home to Birmingham City. Both teams are on 30 points, although Jon Dahl Tomasson’s team have played one game more.

The victory over Birmingham was Rovers’ 10th victory of the season after 17 games with Blackburn still yet to be involved in a league draw so far this season.

📐 @SamGallagher40's well-worked opener from 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚.#Rovers 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/5KEb8XEzyy

— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) October 24, 2022

=3rd, Bristol Rovers

Last 5: WWWWD

Although Bristol Rovers’ run of five wins in a row in all competitions came to an end at home to Plymouth Argyle, a draw against the league leaders isn’t a bad result for the newly-promoted club.

Joey Barton’s team fought back from a 2-0 deficit at half-time to claim a well-earned point. The Gas are currently 13th in League One but performances like this will see them comfortably stay up this season.

=3rd, Plymouth Argyle

Last 5: WWWWD

Bristol Rovers’ opponents from the weekend Plymouth Argyle are still at the top of League One despite that draw at the weekend although their lead at the top has been cut down to two points with Ipswich Town defeating Derby County.

Still, Argyle are on a Burnley-esque run of 14 games unbeaten and won their last seven games in a row in all competitions before last weekend. 

Plymouth will be looking to return to winning ways on Tuesday Night as they host tenth-placed Shrewsbury Town.

Plymouth Argyle already have 43% of last season’s points tally.

They’ve only played 15 games.@Argyle | #pafc

— Dan Wareing (@mrdanwareing) October 22, 2022

=3rd, Arsenal

Last 5: WWWWD

The Gunners recorded eight wins in a row before the weekend when Southampton were able to hold high-flying Arsenal to a point. Stuart Armstrong scored a 65th-minute equaliser for the home team after Granit Xhaka had given Mikel Arteta’s team an early lead. But Arsenal are still top of the Premier League with a two-point lead over Manchester City.

Arsenal will want to get back to winning ways quickly in the league. They first face PSV Eindhoven midweek in the Netherlands before hosting Nottingham Forest. Forest will be on a high after defeating Liverpool this weekend.

🥅 Scored in EVERY league game (top 4 tiers; 22/23):

💥 Arsenal
💥 Plymouth Argyle#AFC #COYG #PAFC @Gunnersc0m @Argyle pic.twitter.com/JOKHzEkj8C

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) October 24, 2022

2nd, Newcastle United

Last 5: WWDWW

Eddie Howe’s team are really starting to build momentum and are looking better and better as this season progresses. Miguel Almirón continued his fine form with an excellent goal against Spurs after Callum Wilson had opened the scoring. 

Newcastle have still only lost once all season and they'd be right up there with the top two had they been able to convert a few of their six draws into wins this season. As it stands, the Magpies are seven points behind Arsenal but have the best defensive record in the top flight with just 10 goals conceded so far.

Miggy can't stop scoring! 🔥🇵🇾 pic.twitter.com/YBYsnjOhOm

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 23, 2022

1st, Millwall

Last 5: DWWWW

Gary Rowett’s team had to wait until the 90th minute when Tyler Burey struck but they eventually secured a win at home to West Brom. The result saw the Lions move into the top six of the Championship after their fourth league win on the trot.

Millwall are particularly dangerous in front of their own fans at The New Den – no one has won more games at home than Millwall (seven – the same as Blackburn Rovers).

Next weekend, Millwall travel to bottom-of-the-league Huddersfield Town with the hopes of moving even further up the table.

And, as a bonus, check out Playmaker’s exclusive interview with Millwall midfielder Zian Flemming from last week.

🗨 “I didn't feel any negative pressure, just my own pressure to prove myself at this level.”

🦁 Signed for a club record fee in the summer, @MillwallFC's Zian Flemming has already scored 5 #Championship goals - and he's confident there are more to come!https://t.co/bHrWU23m19

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) October 20, 2022