Captain Poll – Gameweek 10

Preparations for Gameweek 10 begin in earnest this morning with the launch of our Captain Poll to canvass your views on the best armband options.

Inevitably, Harry Kane (12.7) is again expected to be among the front-runners for the armband for his trip to Old Trafford. He produced 32 points for the 18.4% of Fantasy Premier League managers who gave him the captaincy in Spurs’ 4-1 victory over Liverpool at Wembley.

Notably, some 55% of Kane’s 2.1 million managers chose alternative options for Gameweek 9, no doubt concerned by his form at Wembley Stadium to that point. Indeed, Kane’s brace and assist on Sunday were his first attacking points in a “home” fixture. However, in away matches, he has already dazzled, scoring six times, more than any other player.

That record bodes well ahead of the Manchester United clash, though Jose Mourinho’s rearguard are the only defence yet to concede on home turf.

Kane may benefit from the potential absence through injury of United defenders Phil Jones and Eric Bailly. Mourinho’s backline looked decidedly shaky against Huddersfield without that pairing, conceding twice once Jones had departed with his latest setback.

Since the weekend, 63,000+ FPL managers have swooped for Kane, while in sharp contrast United striker Romelu Lukaku’s (11.7) ownership has continued to decline, with more than 107,000 ditching him ahead of meetings with Spurs and Chelsea.

Although he’s delivered attacking returns in seven out of nine matches, the Belgian’s popularity as a captain has also dipped – he’s failed to notch double-digit returns since Gameweek 5.

With just two goals conceded on the road and only Manchester City handing home teams fewer shots, Spurs are expected to present Lukaku with his toughest Old Trafford test so far.

The threat of rotation may cool interest in the league leaders after Pep Guardiola opted to bench last week’s poll leader Gabriel Jesus (10.7) against Burnley. Guardiola also kept 15%-owned Raheem Sterling (8.2) as an unused substitute, who was captained by more than 111,000 FPL managers. Some 12,000 of those, or 10.8%, had Kane as their vice-captain.

Nevertheless, Man City’s trip to West Brom could be worth the risk, with the Sky Blues beating the Baggies 4-0 in the same fixture last season, which featured a brace from Sergio Aguero (11.6).

If any City asset is to dominate it is likely to be the Argentinian, who has already been acquired by 173,000+ FPL managers ahead of the next deadline.

While Tony Pulis’ side have only conceded three times in four Hawthorns ties in the league, they could be facing a defensive crisis, with both Jonny Evans and Craig Dawson early injury doubts.

The complexity of second-guessing Guardiola’s teamsheet may open the door for a Liverpool player to challenge at the top of the poll ahead of their home meeting with Huddersfield.

Only Manchester City and Arsenal have fired more shots at home than Jurgen Klopp’s side, who have scored eight times at Anfield.

Heading their cast of captaincy candidates should be the 32%-owned Mohamed Salah (9.1), whose goal against Spurs yesterday was his fifth of a campaign. He’s fired more shots in the penalty area (26) and shots on target (18) than any other FPL midfielder. Indeed, only Kane can better Salah for that second statistic.

Philippe Coutinho (9.0) is likely to challenge Salah’s claims. Since the Brazilian – who has two goals and an assist – returned to the first team in Gameweek 5, he’s second only to Kane for goal attempts, though 18 of his 21 efforts have arrived from outside the box.

However, Huddersfield’s defence should not be overlooked in this equation. They could provide stubborn resistance to Klopp’s attack – only three sides have allowed fewer shots (12) in away matches than the Terriers.

Despite his meagre 2.2% ownership, Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez (11.8) could also mount his first significant challenge for the captaincy, with Swansea City next at the Emirates Stadium.

The Chilean has delivered attacking returns in each of his last three starts, including a goal and assist in the Gunners 5-2 defeat of the Toffees – his first double-digit haul of the season.

Home comforts are also set to benefit Alexandre Lacazette (10.3), who has scored or assisted in three of his four Emirates encounters, including a brace against West Brom in Gameweek 6.

While Paul Clement’s side have only conceded once on their travels, the underlying statistics suggest they have been fortunate. Only Burnley and Leicester City have allowed more shots in away matches than the Swans’ defence (80), and both have played a game more than Clement’s men.

Chelsea’s options, and in particular Eden Hazard (10.6), may also gain some attention. They saw off Watford 4-2 on Saturday, though relied on a late rally to earn the three points. Hazard followed a Champions League brace against Roma midweek with an assist against Marco Silva’s side, his first in six league appearances.

A trip to face a Bournemouth defence that has claimed just a single clean sheet presents Hazard with a platform to register a first goal of the campaign. Eddie Howe’s rearguard have so far surrendered 19 big chances – or gilt-edged opportunities – only two sides have conceded more.

His team-mate Alvaro Morata is another contender – the Spaniard has four goals and 23 points in his last two away appearances for the Blues.

Another alternative armband option is Watford winger Richarlison (6.3), who already has three goals and four assists. The Brazilian, who has had more shots than any other midfielder this season, faces a Stoke City side that has conceded 20 goals, an unwanted Premier League high.

The popularity of Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez (8.4) should also be bolstered by the form of visitors Everton. The Algerian has accrued a goal and two assists in his last two starts and has earned bonus on three occasions.

Given that Ronald Koeman’s charges have yet to keep a clean sheet on the road, Foxes striker Jamie Vardy (8.6) should also get the opportunity to end a run of three successive blanks.

The 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.

Remember, we are looking for your vote for the player you think will be most effective, regardless of whether you own them or not.

We will be back to check in on progress in the poll later ahead of the Gameweek 10 deadline when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.