Following his sixth double-digit Fantasy Premier League points haul of the season, Alexis Sanchez (11.5) is surely likely to be among the frontrunners to top the Gameweek 15 Captain Poll.
Already more than 145,000 FPL managers have drafted him in following his stunning hat-trick against a hapless West Ham defence on Saturday evening.
But his next opponents Stoke City may not be so obliging when they visit the Emirates, having conceded just eight goals in their seven away games.
Gunners team-mate Mesut Ozil (9.6) offers a strong alternative for those unable to afford the Chilean.
The 9% owned German’s goal and assist against the Hammers produced his third double-digit FPL points return of the campaign.
Interest in Theo Walcott (8.0) is likely to be muted following a dip in form that has seen him muster a solitary shot on target over his last four league matches. The 16.7% owned England winger did, however, score with that one attempt, in Gameweek 13.
Chelsea’s dynamic duo of Diego Costa (10.7) and Eden Hazard (10.4) are odds on to be the other leading contenders at the summit.
The 46.8% owned Spanish striker is already FPL’s most popular player and attacking points look likely when West Brom visit, given he has delivered in all bar two of his 14 Gameweeks.
The 35.6% owned Hazard may not boast the same consistency as Costa but his explosive potential and strong home form is surely set to garner plenty of votes. Three of his four FPL double-digit hauls have arrived at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho (6.6) may get another opportunity to impress in Gameweek 15, with Sergio Aguero starting a four-match ban for his horror tackle on Chelsea’s David Luiz on Saturday.
A trip to a Leicester City side that has conceded eight times in their last four league matches offers the Nigerian starlet the chance to become a regular in the Captain’s Poll until Aguero’s return for Gameweek 19.
Backers of the 3.4% owned striker will be optimistic after he delivered a 20 point FPL return over two matches when he last deputised for the Argentinian.
Kevin De Bruyne (10.8) is another Manchester City player with the pedigree to step up. The 10.4% owned Belgian also did well during Aguero’s previous three-match ban, scoring 27 points over Gameweeks 4 and 5.
Tottenham Hotspur’s trip to Manchester United on Sunday looks tough to call and is likely to temper interest in their respective front men, Harry Kane (11.0) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.2).
Jose Mourinho’s troops have conceded just six goals and kept two clean sheets at Old Trafford, while Spurs are equally resilient on the road: they have also allowed just six goals and kept a pair of clean sheets on their travels.
A lacklustre attacking display against Bournemouth on Sunday is likely to curtail the popularity of Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino (8.8).
That was his third successive Gameweek blank, but with 14 goal attempts over the last four matches, Firmino may still be a shrewd captaincy pick against a West Ham outfit that has shipped 10 goals over their last three.
If he can recover from a knock sustained at the Vitality Stadium, Sadio Mane (9.3) may be the best option in Jurgen Klopp’s ranks. The Senegalese scored and assisted in Sunday’s defeat and has despatched a further five goals at Anfield.
Sunderland’s visit to Swansea offers a pair of strong differential contenders. For the home side, the 7.4% owned Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.4) has proved a consistent option, with at least a goal or assist in four of his last five matches.
Jermain Defoe (7.7) remains the visitors best armband option, scoring his eighth goal of the season at home to Leicester City on Saturday.
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke (7.5) is another with form and the fixture to attract attention. He will be in search of his fifth goal in as many league outings this weekend and travels to a Hull City side that has conceded 12 goals at the KCOM Stadium. Five of the 7% owned Belgian’s seven goals have been scored in away matches.
7 years, 4 months agoThe alternative side:
For many, the "perfect" front 7 of Sanchez, Hazard, Firmino, Siggy - Costa, Kane, Austin/Defoe/Nacho/Benteke is unobtainable due to not getting Costa/Sanchez early enough to now afford it
as such, with a sluggish team value you can have this
Alonso Mustafi Valencia
Sanchez Hazard Firmino Siggy Ali or Eriksen
Costa/Kane Austin/Defoe etc (Anichebe)
basically - three big defenders and play a power midfield
this does mean you're exposed to Costa/Kane captain - but can cover the points in midfield whilst still keeping Sanchez and not having a cheap as chips defence
thoughts?