Captain Sensible – Gameweek 38

For the last time this season, we roll out our pre-Gameweek members’ article focusing on the captaincy dilemma for Sunday’s final round of fixtures.

To get us underway, we check in with the main contenders in this week’s Captain Poll, then delve into the Opta numbers and current Rate My Team rankings before offering up a differential or two to help solve the vital armband conundrum.

The Captain Poll

Alexis Sanchez leads the way in our final Captain Poll of 2016/17 as Arsenal welcome Everton to the Emirates.

The Chilean has delivered double-figure hauls in each of his last three appearances to earn 30% of the votes cast as the Gunners look for the win that will keep their slim hopes of a top-four finish alive.

Up against a Toffees’ defence with a single clean sheet in five on the road, Olivier Giroud collects 1% backing thanks to three goals and an assist in his last trio of appearances.

Faith in Harry Kane’s armband potential is rapidly on the rise in light of his four goals and assist at Leicester City on Thursday night.

Now two goals clear of Romelu Lukaku in the race for the Golden Boot, the striker is backed by 24% as Spurs make their way to relegated Hull City – Kane has seven goals and three assists in his last six appearances.

A home encounter with relegated Middlesbrough helps Philippe Coutinho claim third place.

Backed by over 17% voters, the Brazilian warmed up for this one with a season-high 19-point haul away to West Ham on Sunday and has six goals and two assists in his last eight appearances.

Up against defence that’s conceded at least three times in each of their last three road trips under Steve Agnew, the Reds will be confident of clinching the win that would secure their Champions League spot for next season.

This could also see Daniel Sturridge (2%) emerge as a final day differential at Anfield after he returned to Jurgen Klopp’s teamsheet with a goal against the Hammers.

Somewhat surprisingly, Gabriel Jesus has persuaded a mere 6% to take the armband plunge for Manchester City’s trip to Watford.

Despite being shifted onto the right flank to accommodate the fit-again Sergio Aguero at home to West Brom, an 11-point haul against the Baggies on Tuesday was the Brazilian’s third double-digit in just seven starts.

With the Hornets options in defence limited, Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne could prove canny differentials.

While Aguero has been the most consistent of the pair, with a goal or assist in nine of his last 11 outings, he’s mustered just one 10+ points haul since Gameweek 13.

De Bruyne, meanwhile, has been far more explosive, producing 12, 17 and 13-point tallies in his previous six league outings.

Faith in Chelsea’s big hitters, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, has diminished in light of Antonio Conte’s teamsheet to face Watford last Monday.

While there’s no question that the champions could run riot at home to Sunderland – Hazard has more home goals (11) than any midfielder and Costa has 22 points in his last two at the Bridge – only 2% and 3% respectively have opted for the pair with the FA Cup final looming.

Indeed, in spite of that plum fixture, they are the most sold midfielder and forward respectively ahead of Sunday’s deadline.

As evidenced by Spurs 6-1 battering on Thursday evening, a trip to Leicester City’s patched-up defence could be good news for Josh King.

Favoured by less than 1% of voters, the Bournemouth attacker has racked up 12 goals and two assists in his last 14 league appearances to sit seventh in the FPL midfield standings.

Meanwhile, the Foxes’ Jamie Vardy (1%) has seven goals and five assists in 12 Gameweeks under Craig Shakespeare.