Captain Poll – Gameweek 31

Tough fixtures for many of the usual front runners in Gameweek 30 meant our last Captain Poll saw no player emerge as a stand-out option.

It should be a different story this time around.

Arsenal host a West Ham side they destroyed 5-1 in the reverse fixture, while Manchester United welcome back top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.4) for their home tie with Everton.

The big Swede has been sorely missed over a three-match suspension – Jose Mourinho’s charges have scored just once in the league, away to Middlesbrough in Gameweek 29.

Having been involved in half of all the Red Devils’ league goals, the 26.1%-owned veteran looks a strong front-runner against a Toffees side that has shipped seven goals and failed to win in their last four road trips.

Gunners’ top scorer Alexis Sanchez (11.6) is another set to compete for top spot after scoring three times and assisting another goal in that West Ham rout earlier in the season. Over the last 10 Gameweeks, the 26.9%-owned Chilean has delivered attacking returns on eight occasions.

The Hammers come into this encounter in woeful defensive form, having shipped 13 goals and failed to earn a clean sheet in their last six.

But handing Sanchez the armband comes with a slight caveat – he might once again be handed a role on the left flank, where he mustered just one off-target goal attempt at home to Manchester City yesterday.

Liverpool could offer a source of top performers in our latest poll, as Jurgen Klopp’s troops welcome a Bournemouth side that has conceded 31 times on the road.

With Sadio Mane expected to miss out after picking up an injury in Saturday’s Merseyside derby, that game’s star turn, Philippe Coutinho (8.3), will likely attract considerable interest. The Brazilian has already gathered more than 84,000 new FPL owners, after a goal, assist and maximum bonus points return at the weekend.

In Mane’s absence, Divock Origi (6.1) could earn a start. Given the 3.3% owned Belgian has scored or assisted in three of his last four appearances, all off the bench, he may be a shrewd option for those looking to take a risk with the armband.

Roberto Firmino (8.5) should also garner votes, having delivered attacking returns in four of his last five league starts, including a double-digit haul at home to Arsenal in Gameweek 27.

The favourable home matches for form sides continue at the King Power Stadium, where Leicester City take on Sunderland. Jamie Vardy’s (10.0) four goals in as many fixtures since Craig Shakespeare took charge puts the 14.6% striker among the likely poll favourites. This recent record is set to put team-mate Riyad Mahrez (9.0) in the shade, even though the Algerian has scored twice under the new regime.

Among those with an away fixture that could attract attention are Spurs’ trio of attacking midfielders Christian Eriksen (8.7), Dele Alli (9.0) and Heung-Min Son (7.0). They’ll be at the Liberty Stadium, where Swansea City have shipped 30 goals – more than any other side at home.

Of this selection, the 30.2%-owned Alli looks to be the favourite, having delivered attacking returns in all four of his last league starts.

Crystal Palace’s visit to Southampton on Wednesday night offers a pair of intriguing differential candidates for the armband in Christian Benteke (7.0) and Wilfried Zaha (5.7).

The pair registered a goal and assist each away to Chelsea and have proved particularly effective away from home, scoring 13 times between them on their travels, compared to just three goals in total at home.

The Saints somehow kept a clean sheet against Bournemouth at St Mary’s at the weekend, but over their last six matches they have generally been in poor defensive form, giving away 10 goals.

With Chelsea hosting Manchester City, interest in Diego Costa (10.7), Eden Hazard (10.2) and Sergio Aguero (12.7) is set to be limited, although with both sides conceding twice in Gameweek 30 this could be a good fixture to back a premium attacker.

The Blues’ 37.4%-owned Spain forward has had more close range efforts than any other player over his last six matches, with City’s 21.8%-owned talisman notching the second highest tally over the same period.

The Captain Poll is now live in the middle column on your homepage on desktop, or via the slide-in menu on mobile and tablet under Recent Comments.

We’ll be back to check in on the progress of the poll later, ahead of the Gameweek 31 deadline when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.