Captain Sensible – Gameweek 13

As the minutes tick down until this evening’s deadline, it’s time for our pre-Gameweek article for members offering insight on the armband conundrum for the upcoming round of fixtures.

We get underway by assessing the main players in this week’s Captain Poll, then turn to the Opta numbers and check up on the Rate My Team ratings before considering a couple of differential options in light of the data analysis.

The Captain Poll

Harry Kane is the runaway leader in our Gameweek 13 Captain Poll as Spurs prepare for the visit of managerless West Brom to Wembley Stadium.

Despite failing to score in five of his six league outings at Spurs’ temporary home, Kane still earns over 42% backing against a Baggies side with one clean sheet in ten.

He’s scored six times in five clashes with the Midlands side, netting a hat-trick at White Hart Lane last season.

Romelu Lukaku is regarded as Kane’s nearest rival, sitting some way back on 15% for Man United’s home clash with Brighton.

The Belgian broke his seven-match goalless streak for the Red Devils against Newcastle United last weekend and has scored or assisted in five of his six appearances at Old Trafford.

Man City wide man Leroy Sane heads the chasing pack behind the two big-hitting frontmen on 7%.

Rested from Champions League duties against Feyenoord, his spot away to Huddersfield looks secure, particularly in light of his manager’s recent admission that he won’t play Sergio Aguero (4%) and Gabriel Jesus (3%) in the same XI.

With five double-digits hauls to his name already, the German may be their best bet on offer – he’s served up 19 points over City’s last two road trips.

Back in contention against the Magpies in Gameweek 12, Paul Pogba’s impact was immediate, with a goal, assist and two bonus points.

More than 348,000 Fantasy Premier League managers have drafted in Pogba ahead of the Seagulls’ visit, while he’s averaged 8.6 points over his five league appearances.

There’s a collective loss of faith in Liverpool and Chelsea’s main assets for their head-to-head at Anfield.

And that’s understandable, given that the Reds have conceded once at home, while their visitors have shipped a just two goals in N’Golo Kante’s last seven league appearances.

Nonetheless, the two sides boast an array of in-form options that may still profit.

Mohamed Salah has scored or assisted in four of his five home starts and goes in search of a sixth double-digit haul of the season, while Philippe Coutinho has returned 10+ points in three of his six league outings in 2017/18.

For the Blues, Eden Hazard has amassed 29 points from his last two road trips, while Alvaro Morata is averaging 7.8 points per match (ppm) away from Stamford Bridge.

Elsewhere, a host of in-form mid-price options can emerge as major differentials this weekend.

Watford’s Richarlison has averaged 7.1 ppm away from home ahead of a trip to Newcastle.

Palace’s Wilfried Zaha has scored in each of his last three home outings and hosts a Stoke City defence that is shipping an average of two goals per match

And Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson is also in contention. Snapped up by over 184,000 FPL managers after firing a hat-trick against Huddersfield, he visits a Swansea City outfit with just one clean sheet from six home matches.