Captain Sensible – Gameweek 23

Our pre-Gameweek members article which focuses on the main captaincy contenders arrives once again this evening. As always, we take a three-part approach which includes the weekly poll standings, the Opta statistics and our Rate My Team projections to help steer your thoughts on the armband conundrum.

The Captain Poll

Alexis Sanchez is the runaway leader of this week’s poll as Arsenal prepare to host Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. Selected by 50%, the Chilean has produced returns in eight of his nine home starts this season and served up four double-figure hauls (13, 16, 10, 19) at the Emirates already – Villa have conceded in five of their last six road trips and look up against it here. This was, of course, prior to Arsene Wenger’s admission that the Chilean is a hamstring doubt for the weekend and will be assessed, forcing many to reconsider their selection.

Angel Di Maria (8%) and Wayne Rooney (4%) find a place in the top four for United’s home match with Leicester. Neither player has much form to shout about – the Argentine has just two assists in his last eight league appearances, whilst Rooney has blanked in five of his last six. The latter has, however, been consistent in front of his own fans and earned points in six of his eight Old Trafford appearances.

It’s fair to say that the vast majority – if not all – of Diego Costa’s votes were prior to news over the last day or two. Charged by the FA over his stamping incident with Emre Can, he has subsequently contested the decision and it won’t be until tomorrow before we know the outcome, with a ban still looking likely. Prior to all that, he was the Chelsea player of choice as the league leaders face champions City at the Bridge – over 5% opted for the Spain international, who is in the middle of a purple patch after racking up five goals and a pair of assists in the last five. Just 2% are favouring Eden Hazard after back-to-back blanks, though 3% reckon Sergio Aguero is worthy of our consideration against a defence that’s conceded just once in their last eight at Stamford Bridge.

Palace’s Dwight Gayle is also in contention. Selected by 3%, the budget striker has 24 points in two appearances under Alan Pardew and hosts an Everton side with a single clean sheet in the last 12 outings. Tottenham’s Harry Kane is backed by a similar number ahead of a tricky trip to West Brom – having scored in five of his last six on the road, though, the youngster looks the likeliest to breach the Baggies backline. Olivier Giroud has also been backed by 3% after scoring four times in his last five – if Sanchez is indeed ruled out, his output looks key for the Gunners.