Captain Sensible – Gameweek 34

It’s time to roll out our usual pre-Gameweek members article this Friday afternoon, as we cast an eye over the captaincy conundrum ahead of a bumper round of fixtures. As usual, 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

Alexis Sanchez is the runaway leader in this week’s Poll ahead of Arsenal’s pair of home fixtures against Palace and West Brom.

The Chilean has racked up over 49% of the votes cast due to an upturn in form that has seen him serve up three goals and a trio of assists in his last five league outings.

With visits to Chelsea and Newcastle on his agenda, Sergio Aguero is some distance behind in second spot. Although City have toiled on their travels for most of the season, scoring just 17 goals in 15 fixtures, the 19%-backed Argentine has upped his away output of late and netted five times in his last six road trips in the top-flight.

After ending a run of four straight blanks with a goal in last week’s 3-3 draw at West Ham, Mesut Ozil finds himself in third spot. Still owned by over 41% of FPL managers ahead of his pair of home matches, the German has, somewhat surprisingly, managed just a single assist in his last six at the Emirates.

Back-to-back clashes with Villa and Palace’s porous defences bode well for Anthony Martial. With 7% of the votes cast, the United striker is shaping up to be a major differential asset – indeed, the summer signing from Monaco has bagged four goals, three assists and ten bonus points in his last seven at Old Trafford.

Further down, a cast of very capable candidates jostle for position around the 2% mark, with Kevin de Bruyne, Dimitri Payet, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge amongst the in-form alternatives for those willing to gamble with the armband.

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.