Captain Poll – Gameweek 21

Key figures from the Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur ranks are expected to dominate our Gameweek 21 Captain Poll, backed by strong form and fixtures.

The Gunners travel to a Swansea City outfit that has conceded 23 goals in front of their own fans, which is set to garner keen interest in Alexis Sanchez (11.9).

The Chilean has delivered attacking returns in four successive road trips and, with 10 goals on his travels, Sanchez is the Premier League’s leading scorer away from home.

Olivier Giroud’s (8.6) form is proving difficult to ignore for Arsene Wenger and FPL managers alike.

The Frenchman has notched three goals and two assists in his last trio of league starts and also netted the weekend FA Cup winner at Preston.

It remains to be seen whether Giroud will keep his starting berth with Theo Walcott (7.5) expected to return to the matchday squad but, based on recent performances, Wenger would be brave to oust his in-form target man.

The craft of Mesut Ozil (9.5) could prove an interesting alternative on his expected recovery from illness. Before missing the last two fixtures, the playmaker had produced two goals and a pair of assists in five appearances for his 7.3% ownership.

It is worth noting, though, that Swansea City may have a greater focus on defence under new boss Paul Clement. Arsenal are the first visitors to the Liberty Stadium under Clemant’s stewardship, a factor that might just disrupt the form guide.

Spurs’ home encounter with West Brom is likely to attract votes for on-fire midfield pairing Dele Alli (8.5) and Christian Eriksen (8.6), and, to a lesser extent, Harry Kane (10.9).

Having acquired over 300,000 new owners ahead of Gameweek 21, Alli is undisputedly a hot property on the back of his six goals in three festive fixtures.

Eriksen’s hot streak is also difficult to resist: the Dane boasts five double-digit FPL point hauls over his last eight Gameweeks.

Having blanked in his last three home matches, the 13.8% owned Kane is struggling to compete for attention as he lives in the shadow of Spurs’ explosive midfield options.

However, a brace and assist away to Watford in Gameweek 19 served as a powerful reminder of his captaincy potential and sets him up as a differential candidate this time around.

West Brom will be no pushovers, however, having conceded just 10 goals on their travels – only Chelsea and Spurs (nine apiece) boast a superior defensive record on the road.

Elsewhere, Jermain Defoe (7.8)’s consistency could make him a safe armband option as Sunderland welcome a Stoke City side that has conceded 19 away goals.

The veteran marksman has 11 goals to his name and netted twice in his previous home appearance: a 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

Chelsea’s visit to Leicester City boosts the prospects of 44.4% owned Diego Costa (10.7). The Spain international has eight goals on the road and collides with a backline that has conceded twice in four of their last five at the King Power Stadium.

Interest in Costa’s team-mate Eden Hazard (10.4) could be limited, however: only two of the Belgian’s nine goals have arrived away from Stamford Bridge.

With just seven goals conceded in ten Goodison Park encounters, Everton’s strong home record is set to temper interest in players from visitors Manchester City.

In saying that, Sergio Aguero (12.8)’s record of four braces in seven away appearances should ensure the 21.6% owned Argentine garners some interest, even if he has relinquished penalty duties to Yaya Toure.

Another usual Captain Poll favourite, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.6), also endures a testing tie, when Manchester United welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford.

The last time the two sides met, at Anfield back in Gameweek 8, it was a 0-0 stalemate, although the 43.4% owned Swede has since delivered attacking returns in each of his last five outings.

Bournemouth’s Junior Stanislas (5.1) presents an intriguing budget differential from midfield ahead of his visit to Hull City.

The Tigers are conceding more shots in the box at home than any other side, with new manager Marco Silva surely seeking to stem that tide as a first priority.

Stanislas, who has attacking returns in his last two starts, scored a brace and two assists last time he faced the Humberside outfit, at the Vitality Stadium back in Gameweek 8.

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.