Captain Sensible – Gameweek 17

We roll out our third pre-Gameweek members article in seven days as the schedule treats us to yet another round of December fixtures.

To get up and running, we check over the main contenders in this week’s Captain Poll, then assess the Opta numbers and Rate My Team rankings before suggesting a differential or two to help we with the Gameweek 17 armband issue.

The Captain Poll

Despite his midweek blank at home to Hull City, Harry Kane retains the top spot in our Captain Poll as Spurs prepare for the visit of travel-sick Burnley.

Currently claiming 33% of the votes, the England international has netted twice in two of his previous three at the Lane and faces a defence that’s shipped 16 goals in seven away matches.

Kane’s team-mate Christian Eriksen collects 15% backing this time around. The Dane has racked up 37 points in his last two home appearances and is the second most popular transfer target in the Gameweek after grabbing two goals and an assist in the 3-0 win over Hull.

Diego Costa (23%) is the Chelsea weapon of choice for tomorrow lunchtime’s trip to Palace. The Spain international suffered a rare blank at Sunderland in midweek yet remains the most consistent player of 2016/17, with a goal or assist in 13 of the opening 16 Gameweeks.

Eden Hazard collects only 3% of the votes after he missed the visit to Wearside with a minor knee complaint. The Belgian looks set to be back on the teamsheet for the Selhurst Park clash, though, having returned to training.

Alexis Sanchez has persuaded only 4% to take the plunge for Arsenal’s trip to the Etihad.

The Chilean rocks up on the back of six goals and two assists in the last four Gameweeks and seeks a fifth double-figure haul on his travels against an obliging City rearguard that’s kept out their opponents on just three occasions.

With a goal and two assists in the last four Gameweeks, Dimitri Payet (4%) finds a place in our top five as West Ham play host to Hull.

Handed a first start since the season opener in midweek, big Andy Carroll (1%) is also shaping up as a differential against a Tigers defence that’s conceded more goals than any other on their travels.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to remain an overlooked option as United make their way to a West Brom defence with one clean sheet in 13 Gameweeks. Only 3% are willing to back the Swede, who has served up five goals and an assist in his last five top-flight outings.

Similarly, Liverpool’s attack is being overlooked for their visit to Goodison on Monday night.

The likes of Divock Origi (four goals in as many Gameweeks), Adam Lallana (three strikes and an assist in his previous two starts) and Sadio Mane (one goal, four assists in four) sit around the 1% mark.

All three have the form to plunder the points against a defence with a single clean sheet in 12 attempts.

Jermain Defoe also collects just 1% ahead of a home clash against a Watford defence that has shipped 11 goals in their previous three on the road. He boasts strong form in front of his own fans, though, scoring five goals in his last six at the Stadium of Light.