Captain Sensible – Gameweek 31

Next up this Friday afternoon, we roll out our usual pre-Gameweek members article, casting an eye over the captaincy conundrum ahead of the weekend’s fixtures. As always, we analyse the Opta data for the main contenders and assess the team statistics and Rate My Team’s reckoning, before rounding off with our opinion on the current poll standings in light of the data analysis, including our view on differential captains.

The Captain Poll

With over 39% of the votes cast, Harry Kane is the standout candidate in this week’s poll ahead of Tottenham’s home clash with Bournemouth. After bagging a brace in last week’s win over Villa, the 10.3-priced frontman will be looking to get the better of a backline that’s managed just three clean sheets on their travels all season.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (23%) takes second, with form and fixture very much on his side. The Swansea midfielder has racked up seven goals and an assist in his last 11 outings and is looking for a third double-figure haul in four at the Liberty this weekend. Up next is a visit from whipping boys Villa and with Remi Garde’s men shipping 17 goals in their previous five, captaining their opponents’ key protagonists has proven a canny tactic of late.

The weekend Manchester derby has dented our faith in Sergio Aguero. A blank at Norwich means the Argentine has now failed to score in three of the last four Gameweeks and with United up next at the Etihad, only 9% are trusting him with the captaincy this week.

The in-form Romelu Lukaku earns just 7% of this week’s votes for a home clash with Arsenal. Having racked up three goals and an assist in his last four league outings, the Belgian notched twice in Saturday’s cup win over Chelsea and has the momentum to put the Gunners’ title tilt to the sword.

Elsewhere, there are a cast of differentials for those willing to take a punt. Leicester duo Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy (both just 2%) cannot be ruled out as they travel to a Palace outfit that’s lost five on the bounce at Selhurst Park.

Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez visit an Everton side with the worst defensive record in the top-flight in front of their own fans. West Ham’s Dimitri Payet, meanwhile, has bagged four of his five double-figure hauls away from home this season and travels to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have conceded in each of their last eight.

Are these current standings backed by the underlying statistics?

Let’s start breaking down the player and team data for their respective last four matches and shed a little more light on the situation.