Captain Poll – Gameweek 12

Our latest Captain Poll has now launched to gauge your early views on the top armband options for Gameweek 12.

Last week’s poll leader Sergio Aguero (13.1) now has three goals in his last two league matches after netting in Man City’s home draw against Middlesbrough.

Owned by 46.3% of Fantasy Premier League managers, the Argentine will be amongst the leading contenders once again, as he travels to a Crystal Palace side still seeking a first Premier League clean sheet of 2016/17.

His 10%-owned team-mate, Kevin De Bruyne (10.7) could be an enticing alternative, having scored or assisted in all four of his away appearances this season.

After a sensational 19-point FPL haul at home to Everton, Eden Hazard (10.0) has been drafted in by more than 147,000 managers ahead of Chelsea’s Gameweek 12 trip to Middlesbrough.

With five goals and two assists over his last four league matches, Hazard looks set to be one of Aguero’s fiercest rivals for the Gameweek 12 captaincy.

Also in his favour is a 14-point return away to Southampton in Gameweek 10, which indicates the Belgian may have addressed a travel sickness that has blighted him throughout his Fantasy Premier League career.

With a goal or assist in nine of the first 11 Gameweeks, Diego Costa (10.5)’s consistency makes him another armband favourite among Chelsea’s ranks.

But ‘Boro will be no pushovers.

Aitor Karanka’s side have conceded just once in the last three, which includes clashes against Arsenal and Man City. Furthermore, the Teessiders have been breached on just six occasions in five home fixtures.

With five goals against in the last three Gameweeks, Southampton’s defensive resolve has softened of late.

This presents another batch of strong captaincy candidates among the ranks of visitors Liverpool, who have scored 30 times this season, more than any side.

Topping the Reds armband options is Philippe Coutinho (8.7), who served up his fourth double-digit haul of the season during Sunday’s 6-1 thrashing of Watford. With an ownership of 45.8%, the Brazilian is FPL’s most popular midfielder.

Roberto Firmino (8.6) and Sadio Mane (9.0) both delivered impressive returns of 15 and 13 points respectively in that match to ensure they remain contenders in the poll.

Mane, who was sold by Southampton in the summer, is particularly intriguing for those who subscribe to the theory that players perform better against former employers.

Romelu Lukaku (9.8) may have blanked in Everton’s 5-0 humbling away to Chelsea on Saturday but in Gameweek 12 the 33.7%-owned striker faces a far more obliging defence.

Visitors Swansea have conceded nine times in their last four matches, while the Belgian international has scored in all bar one of his home league encounters. It would be no surprise to see him near the top of the poll by the end of the international break.

Alexis Sanchez’ away form looks promising as Arsenal make their way to Old Trafford. Six of the Chilean’s seven goals have arrived on the road, as he faces a defence with just two shut-outs in the last eight Gameweeks.

Elsewhere in north London, Harry Kane returned to action with a converted spot-kick at the Emirates yesterday.

Owned by a mere 5% of FPL managers, the Spurs striker has netted in each of his last three Premier League outings and hosts West Ham’s leaky defence at the Lane.

Gameweek 12’s differential captaincy options are led by Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe (7.3), who has six goals this season and hosts a Hull City outfit that has conceded 13 times on their travels.

We will be back to check in on progress in the poll later next week, as we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering our view of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.