Captain Sensible – Gameweek 11

Attention now turns to our usual pre-Gameweek members article, as we mull over the armband options for the forthcoming ten fixtures.

We check in on the main players in this week’s Captain Poll and delve into the Opta data and Rate My Team ratings before considering a differential or two in light of the data analysis.

The Captain Poll

In a Gameweek where four of the top five teams in the Premier League go head-to-head, Harry Kane couldn’t have timed his return to fitness any better.

Back in the starting XI against Real Madrid on Wednesday night, the Spurs frontman is the runaway leader of our Gameweek 11 Captain Poll ahead of a plum home clash with Crystal Palace.

Over 61% of voters have backed Kane, who has four sets of double-figures in his last six league outings and banished his Wembley hoodoo with a season-high 16-point haul against Liverpool in his previous home appearance.

Yet as seen on Wednesday, both Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen have the potential to outscore their team-mate.

Alli netted twice against Real Madrid and Eriksen supplied the third in a 3-1 win. Both claim a place in the top five of our Poll. With just 3% and 2% backing respectively, they are shaping up as major differentials against an Eagles side that have shipped a combined nine goals in two road trips against both Manchester clubs under Roy Hodgson.

Sergio Aguero heads the chasing pack on a mere 6% as Manchester City entertain Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

After being rested for last week’s win at West Brom, the Argentine was withdrawn against Napoli with just under 15 minutes remaining.

He’s scored in each of his last three at home in the league, totalling 27 points over those matches.

Just 2% are considering Leroy Sane, with many perhaps deterred by the fact that he has started nine of the last 10 in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Nonetheless, the German is surely the league’s form player – he’s bagged double-digits in four of the last five Gameweeks and goes in search of a fifth successive 10+ haul at the Etihad.

Having scored three of his five league goals on the road, Mohamed Salah (5%) claims third spot as Liverpool visit West Ham’s decimated defence.

The Hammers have been hit hard by injury and suspension at the back and have conceded three times in two of their last three at the London Stadium.

With Kane claiming the lion’s share of the votes, it leaves a number of differentials to consider if you’re without the funds or just doubt his prospects at Wembley.

Swansea City’s Tammy Abraham (1%) has three goals and six bonus in his last three at the Liberty ahead of Brighton’s visit.

Meanwhile, Richarlison (1%) travels to an Everton side that has been breached 10 times in five at Goodison. The Brazilian has served up three goals and two assists away from home – 36 of his 51 FPL points have arrived on the road.

Eric Choupo-Moting and Jamie Vardy could also emerge as a source of points in their encounter at the bet365.

The Cameroon international has two goals, two assists and 27 FPL points in his last four home matches, while Vardy has netted in three of his last four league outings against the Potters, who have concerns in defence ahead of tomorrow’s early kick-off.

Romelu Lukaku is also among the overlooked after his goalless streak was extended to six matches in all competitions in midweek.

Away to Chelsea, there’s a feeling that Jose Mourinho will park the bus again and the Belgian may struggle to improve upon a season-high away haul of seven points.

Man United’s likely tactics at Stamford Bridge have also dented our faith in Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata, with both backed by less than 1% of voters.