Captain Sensible – Gameweek 37

Next up on this busy Friday, we roll out our usual pre-deadline members’ article focusing on the ever-crucial captaincy dilemma as ten teams prepare to play twice in a bumper Gameweek 37.

We’ll assess the main contenders in this week’s Captain Poll, then analyse the Opta numbers and current Rate My Team rankings before suggesting a differential or two to help solve the armband conundrum.

The Captain Poll

Gabriel Jesus tops our Gameweek 37 Captain Poll for the first time this term as Manchester City prepare to play twice at the Etihad Stadium.

Over 25% of voters back the Brazilian to produce at home to Leicester City and West Brom as Pep Guardiola’s side look to clinch a top-three spot.

Jesus has served up 7.2 points per start since arriving in January, though a five-point haul in last week’s 5-0 win over Palace could persuade some to consider Kevin De Bruyne instead.

Favoured by 10%, the Belgian delivered 17 points against the Eagles last Saturday – his second double-figure haul in four – to move fifth in the midfield standings.

That pair are the number one forward and midfielder transfers-in respectively, with over 182,000 and 105,000 new owners since last Friday.

Back in the goals away to Southampton on Wednesday, faith in FPL’s top-scoring player Alexis Sanchez has soared ahead of Arsenal’s pair of matches.

Despite a run of only two strikes in eight appearances, the Chilean claims 21% of the votes for a trip to Stoke City and a home encounter with Sunderland – an 11-point haul at St Mary’s was his ninth double-figure haul of the season.

Despite some concerns over potential rotation should the title be clinched tonight, Chelsea pair Eden Hazard (15%) and Diego Costa (9%) complete our top five armband picks.

The Blues travel to West Brom before entertaining Watford on Monday night, with a win at The Hawthorns set to clinch the Premier League crown in Antonio Conte’s first year in charge.

Hazard has delivered points in seven of his last nine, while three goals and as many assists in five suggests that Costa’s mind isn’t on that reported move to China just yet.

Marcos Alonso could be the differential pick – the wing-back has mirrored Costa’s 5.8 points per match this season, yet is selected by just 2%.

Faith in Spurs assets has taken a tumble after their bid for the league all but ended at West Ham last week.

With just 4% of the votes, Harry Kane leads the way for Mauricio Pochettino’s men ahead of a home clash with Manchester United and trip to Leicester on Thursday night.

The Spurs striker has delivered seven goals and three assists in his last six starts, while team-mate Christian Eriksen still remains an explosive factor, with 10 double-digit hauls to his name.

Romelu Lukaku earns the highest share of the votes (3%) among the single Gameweek assets.

The Belgian has produced 13 goals in his last nine home matches, scoring on all but one of those occasions, and entertains a Watford side that’s conceded nine times without reply in their previous three road trips.