Captain Sensible – Gameweek 31

The second of three quick-fire rounds of fixtures edges ever nearer tonight, with less than two hours remaining until Gameweek 31’s 6.45pm deadline.

Our usual pre-Gameweek members article gets underway by checking out the main Captain Poll contenders before we take a look at the Opta numbers and Rate My Team rankings prior to suggesting a differential or two to help with your armband dilemma.

The Captain Poll

Despite scoring just once in his last three league outings, Alexis Sanchez leads the way in our Gameweek 31 Captain Poll as Arsenal welcome West Ham United to the Emirates.

Backed by over 30% of voters, the Chilean served up a season-high 23 points against the Hammers last time out, courtesy of three goals and an assist back in Gameweek 14.

Jamie Vardy (29%) is regarded as Sanchez’s main rival for the armband as Leicester City prepare for a plum home clash with Sunderland.

Having netted for the fourth time in as many matches against Stoke City on Saturday, the Foxes’ frontman has been drafted in by over 121,000 FPL managers as Craig Shakespeare’s side seek a fifth straight win against a defence with just one clean sheet on their travels.

Only 1% are opting for Riyad Mahrez, yet the Algerian fired more shots on goal than any team-mate against the Potters and has netted in two of the last three.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims third spot after returning from a three-match ban in time for United’s home match with Everton.

The veteran collects 10% of the votes as he looks to improve a record of one goal in five league outings prior to that suspension. Ibrahimovic has bagged double-digits on just two occasions at Old Trafford, though he has already scored against the Toffees earlier in the season.

A mere 1% are banking on Romelu Lukaku, who has netted just once in his last six away matches. The top-scoring forward in FPL faces a tough task against a defence that has conceded only once – via the spot – in their previous four at Old Trafford.

Philippe Coutinho is favoured by 8% as Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield.

Back in form with a goal and assist in the Merseyside derby win over Everton, the Brazilian has earned more transfers in than anyone as he faces a defence that’s shipped 31 goals on their travels.

With Sadio Mane sidelined, Roberto Firmino could prove a differential – only 1% have backed the former Hoffenheim man, who has registered five sets of double figures in front of his own supporters.

Both Dele Alli (4%) and Christian Eriksen (under 1%) are also overlooked as Spurs make their way to a Swansea outfit that boast the worst home defensive record in the league, with 30 goals against at the Liberty.

Now sitting joint-second in the FPL midfield standings, Alli has produced points in each of his last four appearances, yet Eriksen remains the more explosive option, bettering his team-mate by eight 10+ points hauls to five.

Chelsea’s head-to-head with Man City at the Bridge has persuaded most to steer clear of the chief protagonists tomorrow night.

Sergio Aguero’s three goals in four remain ignored, despite the hosts’ run of seven Gameweeks without a clean sheet.

After failing to produce the goods against Palace, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are also in the differential armband category this time around.

While Hazard, with five double-figure hauls at home, remains an explosive option, Costa – with two goals in seven and no more than nine points in any Stamford Bridge fixture – will struggle to convince he’s worthy of our armband affections.