Captain Sensible – Gameweek 37

Our usual Friday members article comes around now as we analyse the captaincy conundrum ahead of the final double Gameweek of 2016/17. We take a delve into 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

Double Gameweek 37 understandably dominates our selection, with nine of the top ten in the Captain Poll facing a couple of fixtures.

With a goal or assist in seven of his last ten, Dimitri Payet boasts a healthy 34% of the votes cast. The popular Frenchman has a higher ownership (33%) than any double Gameweek player ahead of home clashes against Swansea (one away clean sheet all season) and a United defence with two shut-outs in their last 11 road trips.

Eden Hazard just edges Andy Carroll in the tussle for second position by 13% to 12%. The Chelsea winger’s three goals and six bonus points in two outings since returning from injury has piqued our interest ahead of trips to Sunderland and Liverpool.

Finally free from his injury worries, the 6.5-priced Carroll offers a tempting route into an attack that’s scored at least twice in each of their previous seven. The big Geordie has chipped in with six goals and an assist in the Hammers’ last six fixtures and looks a viable double-up option along with Payet.

United’s Anthony Martial is backed by 8% to do the business away to Norwich and West Ham. The Frenchman has notched five times in ten outings across all competitions and faces a couple of unconvincing defences – the Canaries have one clean sheet in their previous at Carrow Road, whilst the Hammers’ 3-0 win at West Brom earned them a first shut-out in seven.

Just 7% are willing to back 14-goal Jermain Defoe as Sunderland host Chelsea and Everton. Big Sam will take solace in their visitors’ defensive data as he looks to secure survival – Guus Hiddink’s side have one clean sheet in 11, whilst the Toffees’ backline has been breached in all but one of their previous ten.

Five goals and an assist in seven highlights Daniel Sturridge’s form yet with Jurgen Klopp’s team sheets proving a huge source of frustration, just 5% are willing to roll the dice for Liverpool’s home matches against Watford (one clean sheet in nine road trips) and Chelsea. After playing virtually every minute against Villarreal last night, though, there are still concerns over his minutes in light of the Reds’ progress to the Europa League final.

Further down, the likes of Robbie Brady, Diego Costa and Mark Noble are amongst a host of differentials hovering around the 2% mark.

Are the current rankings backed by the underlying statistics, though?

We kick off by breaking down the player and team data for their respective last four matches in order to shed a little more light on the situation.