Captain Sensible – Gameweek 13

A busy Friday continue apace as we roll out our pre-Gameweek members article, offering insight on the armband conundrum for the upcoming round of fixtures.

To get underway, we check out the main contenders in this week’s Captain Poll, then cast an eye over the Opta numbers and analyse the Rate My Team ratings before offering a couple of differential options in light of the analysis.

The Captain Poll

At the time of writing, Sergio Aguero narrowly leads the Captain Poll with 27% of the votes cast ahead of Man City’s trip to Burnley.

The Man City striker has bagged a brace in three of his five away appearances ahead of a trip to Burnley, but some will now be reconsidering after Pep Guardiola admitted that the Argentine “has a problem with his foot” and is set to be assessed after training later today. Aguero was later photographed during that training session.

With just 2% backing, Kevin De Bruyne could emerge as a differential option – the City playmaker has produced returns in all five of his away outings.

So far, though, the Clarets have been anything but pushovers in front of their own fans.

Sean Dyche’s side may toil on their travels but have conceded just six times in seven home fixtures, shipping more than one goal on a single occasion.

Liverpool’s front three are also amongst the armband favourites ahead of a home encounter with Sunderland tomorrow afternoon.

Owned by over 46% of Fantasy Premier League managers, Philippe Coutinho is the favoured Reds’ pick for the Gameweek 13 Captain Poll.

Just under 26% of voters are backing the Brazilian, who has served up double-figures in three of his last four Anfield appearances.

Coutinho’s team-mates Roberto Firmino (16%) and Sadio Mane (3%) are shaping up to be handy differentials.

Firmino has produced a goal or assist in four of the last six Gameweeks and delivered 15 points on two occasions at home already. Mane has five goals in as many Anfield appearances, with all three of his double-figure returns arriving at home.

Alexis Sanchez has persuaded just 8% of voters to take the plunge despite a plum home clash against Bournemouth.

The Arsenal man has struggled for form of late, scoring in just one of the last six Gameweeks, and was moved to the flank against PSG in midweek. Furthermore, he’s netted just once in six home appearances, compared to five strikes on the road.

A home clash with Spurs means that Chelsea pair Eden Hazard and Diego Costa 3% and 2% of the votes respectively.

With Toby Alderweireld still injured and Danny Rose suspended, the Blues will fancy their chances of grabbing a seventh straight win on Saturday night.

Costa has proven the most consistent performer of the season so far, supplying a goal or assist in 10 of the first 12 Gameweeks on his way to the top of the FPL forwards standings.

Hazard has been relentless at the Bridge, though – he’s netted in all but one of six home appearances and collected 58 of his 86 points at home.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic earns just 2% of the votes, having blanked in six successive Gameweeks prior to scoring twice at Swansea in his previous league appearance.

After serving a one-match suspension, the United frontman now welcomes West Ham to Old Trafford and could persuade some Aguero owners to take the plunge prior to tomorrow’s deadline, bearing in mind that City face Chelsea next week.