Captain Poll – Gameweek 13

Last Gameweek’s poll favourite Sergio Aguero (13.2) disappointed with a blank away at Crystal Palace.

A failure to register even a single shot on target at Selhurst Park, coupled with a potentially tough away trip to Burnley, is likely to dent the 46.5%-owned Man City striker’s prospects.

The Clarets have conceded a mere six goals in seven home matches this season.

Instead, Liverpool’s midfield maestros of Robert Firmino (8.8), Philippe Coutinho (8.7) and Sadio Mane (9.1) may push for the summit. Each has a strong case for the armband, although with 38 FPL points across his last four home league encounters, the 45.8%-owned Coutinho looks the pick of the trio.

With 35 points and 30 points respectively over the same matches, Mane and “false nine” Firmino are also very much in contention.

Arsenal also have a number captaincy contenders when they host Bournemouth.

The Gunners’ key options – 22.1% owned Alexis Sanchez (11.3) and Theo Walcott (7.8) – will have to improve on their lacklustre display against Manchester United in Gameweek 12 if they are to take advantage. At Old Trafford, neither managed a shot on target, with 12.3% owned Walcott failing to register a single goal attempt.

Mesut Ozil (9.6) and 1.6% owned super sub Olivier Giroud (8.8) offer alternatives. The former has served up 28 points in his last four home outings, while the latter has scored three goals from the bench in as many matches.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s resilient defence, which is looking for its seventh league clean sheet in a row, will be put to the test when Spurs pay visit.

With goals in each of his last four league matches, the 6.4%-owned Harry Kane (10.8) will prove a stern test and may win support in the poll, particular after his brace against West Ham on Saturday evening.

Tottenham’s defence has been far more obliging of late, with just one clean sheet in their last four league fixtures. They will also be without the suspended Danny Rose, with doubts remaining on the availability of Toby Alderweireld.

This presents one of Eden Hazard (10.1) or Diego Costa (10.5) with the opportunity to even top the poll this week.

The 31.3%-owned Belgian has delivered attacking returns in every home match since manager Antonio Conte switched to a 3-4-3 formation in Gameweek 7. The consistency of the 41.7%-owned Costa is also enticing, with a goal in three of his last four Gameweeks at the Bridge.

Another reliable selection that may gain votes is Swansea City’s 3.4%-owned Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.2). He has provided returns in four of the last five Gameweeks and hosts a Crystal Palace side still in search of their first clean sheet of the campaign.

Fantasy Football’s forgotten man Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.1) offers another strong candidate.

Sold by more than 1.6m FPL managers this season, the Man United striker has dropped off the radar as a captaincy option. But with a brace in Gameweek 11 away to Swansea, this weekend’s home clash with West Ham offers a chance for further redemption as he looks to reward the 25.4% of patient FPL managers that have stuck by him.

We will be back to check in on progress in the poll later this week when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.